Brittany Ferries Wildlife Officer Programme

Welcome to the ORCA Wildlife Officers’ blog!

ORCA, one of Europe’s leading whale and dolphin conservation charities, work with Brittany Ferries, to help passengers travelling to Spain on board the Cap Finistere and Pont-Aven vessels, get the most out of their journey by experiencing the amazing wildlife that lives in the Bay of Biscay.  Our Wildlife Officers inspire and educate passengers about the marine wildlife around them on their ferry voyage.

This year’s ORCA Wildlife Officers are Heather Bodie, Laura Bartlett and Samantha Blakeman on board the Cap Finistere vessel.  Kelly Forsythe, Kate Weston and Lucy Alford will be on board the Pont-Aven.  ORCA’s Wildlife Officers give informative presentations and talks, run children’s activities and quizzes, and also conduct deck watches for incredible marine wildlife.  In past years, Wildlife Officers have helped passengers spot thousands of acrobatic dolphins, and some of the largest animals on the planet – the great whales.  Sharks and turtles have also been sighted, as well as many different species of seabird.

Follow this blog  to find out all of the latest adventures from their crossings!

The Bay of Biscay is an incredible place, with 31 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) having been seen there – that’s over a third of cetacean species in the entire world! Get out on deck and see what you can see – you’ll be amazed!

ORCA is the whale and dolphin conservation charity dedicated to forging links between people and the sea. ORCA is committed to the study of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and promoting their conservation through enthusing, inspiring and educating others.

As well as having Wildlife Officers on board ferries and cruise ships in European Waters, we run scientific surveys every month throughout the season, recording the species seen, their whereabouts and activity, so that we can help conservation by identifying where they live and providing our data to other conservation charities, governments and students.

Our Marine Mammal Surveyors are all volunteers, taken from all walks of life. You could become one too by attending one of our training courses, learn more about these fascinating animals and the marine habitats they live in whilst helping our conservation efforts.

For more information on training courses, becoming a volunteer or joining as a member, please visit www.orcaweb.org.uk