An appeal to save Cornwall's Dolphins and Porpoises - we need your help

Bottlenose dolphin calf breaking the surface

Bottlenose dolphin calf breaking the surface, Image by John MacPherson/2020VISION

Act now to help them survive and thrive

An appeal to save Cornwall's Dolphins and Porpoises

They need your help...

Donate now

Cornwall’s dolphins and porpoises urgently need your help

In Cornwall, we are incredibly lucky to have dolphins and porpoises off our shores. But, unless we protect them, they could vanish from our waters. Not only could we lose some of Cornwall’s most-loved species, but it could have devastating impacts on the balance of our marine ecosystems.

Donate today to help dolphins and porpoises not only survive but thrive as a treasured part of Cornwall’s seas. The faster we raise vital funds, the faster we can act to stop their suffering and protect their presence in our waters by carrying out a comprehensive package of activities to reduce marine disturbance, mitigate against noise pollution, and increase sustainable fishing practices. Whatever you can give will make a massive difference. 

Find out more about Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises

Donate to the Dolphin and Porpoise Appeal

It takes less than a minute to donate online - all gifts will be used by our teams to support Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises

The impact of your donation

A portion of your donation enables us to host more stranding training sessions for our volunteers’

Recently 40 marine wildlife enthusiasts came together at our headquarters for a day of theory- and practice-based training.  Watch the video to see what some of Marine Stranding Network volunteers had to say about the day.

Bycatch

Your donation helps support a programme to reduce accidental by-catch

We're working alongside Clean Catch UK, a major new national programme to reduce the accidental capture of wildlife by commercial fishing vessels.  We are actively encouraging fishermen to adopt technology to reduce by-catch.

Fishers

Your donation helps us work with more fishers than ever

We are about to start working with fishers in the St Austell Bay area and proud to say we are working with more fishers than ever to embed sustainable practices.

We continue to provide the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide, grading local fish according to their stocks and catch methods. Your support is enabling consumers to make the most informed and sustainable seafood choices.

Your donations also allow us to spend more time working on behalf on dolphins and porpoises in the following ways

  • Enabling us to be active in consultations and influence marine policy by working with other experts to respond to proposed new legislation and protection on behalf of marine wildlife.
  • Spending time building and strengthening relationships with those in marine-based industries so that we can work with each other to foster long-term solutions to marine environmental issues.
  • Ensuring we can respond quickly and effectively to concentrated high cases of marine disturbance, working with local marine groups, conservation organisations and town councils to raise awareness of the marine coastal code.

Donate to the Dolphin and Porpoise Appeal

It takes less than a minute to donate online - all gifts will be used by our teams to support Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises
With your donation, Cornwall Wildlife Trust is well-placed to tackle the issues affecting Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises by working with local communities, coastal businesses, fishers and Government agencies to reduce marine disturbance, mitigate against noise pollution, improve fishing practices, and conduct vital research.
Ruth Williams
Marine Conservation Manager at Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Bottlenose Dolphin 'Clet' and man in Falmouth Harbour

Bottlenose Dolphin 'Clet' in Falmouth, Image by Julie Skentelbery

What your gift could provide

Why dolphins and porpoises?

Cornwall’s dolphin and porpoise population is fragile. Noise pollution and disturbance from various sea users can cause distress and confusion, making them feel threatened. As a result, they flee feeding grounds, causing hunger, malnutrition and at worst, death from starvation. Dolphins and porpoises can also become caught in fishing nets, which is known as ‘bycatch’, often suffering asphyxiation as a result.

With your donation, Cornwall Wildlife Trust will work with local communities, coastal businesses, fishers and government agencies to reduce marine disturbance, mitigate against noise pollution, increase sustainable fishing, and conduct vital research.

Thanks to supporters like you, we've made important progress for Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises...

  • We set up The South West Bottlenose Dolphin Consortium in 2016, a partnership of key stakeholders led by the Trust, to gather research into the South West's resident pod of bottlenose dolphins, believed to be the only resident pod of this species in England.
  • We conducted a study into the use of pingers as an effective way of preventing porpoises from being caught in fishing nets.
  • We co-ordinate the Cornwall Marine and Coastal Code Group which educates people on how to watch and interact with our dolphins and porpoise safely so as to reduce disturbance.

But there remains much more to do. Please, donate today. 

Donate to the Dolphin and Porpoise Appeal

It takes less than a minute to donate online - all gifts will be used by our teams to support Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises
Common Dolphin breaking the surface

Common Dolphin, Image by Jack Barton

"Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s work is exemplary in protecting dolphins and porpoises. Their plans for extensive engagement programmes around sustainable fishing, marine disturbance and noise pollution will help ensure that our coastal dolphins and porpoises will be around for generations to come."

Brendan Godley
Prof Conservation Science at the University of Exeter's Cornwall Campus

Make a donation today

Please help Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises - it takes less than a minute to donate online and will enable us to continue to protect these amazing marine mammals from the effects of human behaviour.

Donate to the Dolphin and Porpoise Appeal

It takes less than a minute to donate online - all gifts will be used by our teams to support Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises
fundraising pack cover

...Or fundraise with us (we can't do it alone!)

Fundraising is a great way to help support Cornwall Wildlife Trust and get your friends, family and community involved. As well as learning about Cornwall's amazing dolphins and porpoises and how you can help to protect them, you'll be raising vital funds to support our critical work. Set up your fundraising page now on JustGiving or get in touch with Marte Martin if you'd like to talk through any ideas or would like support with your fundraiser.

Download a fundraising pack  Fundraise on JustGiving

Here's some suggestions to get you started...

  • Sponsored beach clean: Choose a location date and time and get sponsored to clean a beach. You could be sponsored per item collected, number of hours you for or beaches you clean. Encourage family and friends to get involved to make it a fun day out (please keep with social distancing rules).
  • Sponsored walk for wildlife: This could be in your local nature reserve (find your nearest reserve online), coast path or your usual route! Popular targets include walking a marathon in a month (26.2 miles) or a mile a day!
  • Coffee morning: Whether it’s in your garden, online or at your local village hall, host a coffee morning and ask for donations towards tea, coffee and cakes!

Inspired to take action?

No matter where you live in Cornwall, whether on the coast or inland, you can do your bit to help marine wildlife and ensure we learn more about these incredible creatures. Find out more about Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises and learn simple steps you can make right now to help protect their presence in our waters.

Learn about Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises

Bottlenose Dolphin making a splash

Bottlenose Dolphin, Image by John MacPherson/2020VISION

LEARN MORE

Your guide to Cornwall's dolphins and porpoises

Cornwall is among the best places in the UK to see these charismatic creatures. Find out where to see them in Cornwall, why they're threatened and actions you can take to help protect them. 

Find out more