We need your help to push the boundaries of science. We need your help to make important and urgent discoveries for the oceans. Interested? Read on.

Due to funding constraints and because we can only be in one place at any given time, we cannot collect all the data we need. But this is where you come in. If you have photos of whales from your travels around Sri Lanka, or if you have seen a stranded whale along one of our coastlines we need to know.

Sightings

Why? Specific images of live whales can be included in our existing catalogues for the various species that use Sri Lankan waters and ultimately, these photos can help us learn more about where they go, who they are, how many there are and answer a host of other important questions. To date, these photos have allowed us to identify the oldest known blue whale in the Northern Indian Ocean (link here) and a new species of whale in Sri Lankan waters (link here). We need photos of the fluke (top and bottom sides), the right dorsal flank and the left dorsal flank (see below for examples).

To learn more about photo-identification click here

Strandings

Have you encountered or heard of a stranded whale around the island? If you have, please report it here because this information can help us understand causes of death, how many individuals wash up on our coastlines a year, what species tend to strand and so much more.

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All images submitted will be used for research purposes only, and will not be forwarded to any third party without prior express permission of the owner. As much as possible, please send in high resolution images as they allow us to look for small details on the body of the whales that can be used for identification or threat analysis. Within the form, some of the entry fields are mandatory, as it is essential that we know where and when you saw the whales you photographed, while others remain optional. However, please do try to provide as much information as possible….every piece of information helps us push the boundaries of science, learn more about these amazing animals and ultimately – protect them.

Once we have received your completed form, you will receive a message acknowledging your contribution. If you have any further questions or queries about data contribution for the global database or about Oceanswell, please email us directly at [email protected].

Additionally, if you are experiencing problems with the Online Submission Form, please send your photos directly to [email protected] along with all requested information.