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Whale Report User Guide

Welcome to Whale Report! This app allows users to digitally submit sightings of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) and sea turtles).

Updated over a month ago

Onboarding

  • Download the app and enter your name and email address.

  • Click “Next” to save your details (details are not shared outside of Ocean Wise).

  • Continue setting up your account or click “Skip” to bypass steps.

Setting Your Experience

  • Select the option that best describes your reason for being on or near the ocean.

  • Click “Next”.

Setting Your Seasons

This helps adjust observer effort for seasonal animal presence modeling.

  • Select all seasons when you are often on or near the ocean.

  • Click “Next”.

Turning on Location Services

  • Click “Next” and select “Allow while using app” on mobile.

  • On desktop, ensure location services are turned on.

Enabling Notifications

  • Click “Next” and then “Allow” on the pop-up (mobile users).

  • On desktop, enable notifications in your browser settings if not prompted.

What If You Are Out of Reach?

  • Sightings are saved offline and uploaded once you regain connection.

  • Click “Next” to complete account setup.

Creating a Report

To submit a sighting report, click on the “Map” page and click “Report A Sighting” to initiate your submission.

  1. Pin the Approximate Location:

    • Select a point on the map (ensure it's in the water).

    • Click "Next".

  2. Direction of Travel:

    • Choose a direction arrow or "I'm Not Sure".

  3. Date and Time:

    • Enter the sighting date and time using the date/time bar provided.

    • Click “Next”.

  4. Species:

    • Select the species or “I’m Not Sure”.

    • Click “Next”.

    • If you select Killer Whale, you may additionally select the ecotype.

  5. Set Your Confidence Level:

    • Use the scale to indicate the certainty of the species you selected.

    • Click “Next”.

    • If you select “I’m Not Sure” indicate how certain you are that you saw a cetacean or sea turtle.

  6. Animal Count:

    • Enter the exact or appropriate number of animals.

    • Click "Next".

  7. Sighting Platform:

    • Select how you observed the animal(s).

    • Provide additional details if they are known (e.g., vessel name, location description).

    • Click “Next”.

  8. Report Overview:

    • Review and edit details using the edit pen icon in the corner of each box.

    • Add behavior notes, comments, or photos.

    • Click “Submit”.

General Use of Whale Report

Map

  • Use this page to view an interactive map of recent whale sightings (24-hour delay for public sightings, real-time for your own sightings).

Map Interactions:

  • Use two fingers to zoom (mobile) or +/- buttons (desktop).

  • Click on points to see sighting information and select “View” to see more specific details.

Filtering:

  • Adjust the date by clicking on the date range box.

  • Click on the filter icon box to filter your map by relevance (your sightings or all sightings).

  • Filter by species if you wish to only view sightings of specific species types.

Marine Mammal Regulations and Guidelines:

  • At the bottom of the filter box, toggle Marine Mammal Regulations (MMRs) on/off.

  • Click on any MMR zones on your map to learn more about each regulated area.

Changing View:

  • Switch between list view and map view using the corresponding icons.

  • View the map legend by clicking the blue “i” icon.

  • On mobile, click the four-corner icon for a clear display.

  • On mobile, Re-center your location by clicking the target icon.

Sightings

  • View total sightings and alerts sent.

Profile Settings

  • Click your profile image (top-right) to:

    • Edit personal information.

    • Adjust notification preferences.

    • Change password.

My Alerts

  • Learn about what Whale Report Alert System (WRAS) is.

  • Who is eligible to apply: commercial mariners, commercial and government vessels, research and conservation organizations. WRAS is not for personal use or ecotourism activities.

  • Why WRAS is essential for protecting at-risk marine cetaceans and turtles.

  • Interested in WRAS? Read the How to Apply for WRAS Access guide.

Resources

  • Species Guide: View species specific information.

  • Report Dead and Distressed Animals: Information on regional contacts for reporting a dead or distressed animal.

  • Threats: Learn about threats like contaminants and vessel disturbance.

  • FAQ: Read frequently asked questions.

  • Actions: Discover how to support whale conservation (e.g., adopting a whale).

  • Downloads: Access PDFs like species identification and entanglement guides.

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