Keep up to date with whale and dolphin signtings here in Wales via Richard's blog - Whales in Wales.

And last week also saw a blue shark being washed up on a beach near Amroth.

The five-and-a-half feet long shark had no obvious signs of injury, so probably died from an unknown illness. It had been seen swimming uncharacteristically close to shore on the previous day indicating that is was unwell, as they are normally found in deeper water.

A dead blue shark near Amroth on 18 August, 2011. Image by Richard Crossen.

Dolphins by Nia Haf Jones.

The Wildlife Trusts are urging everyone to show their support for MPAs by signing an online petition or texting 'FISH' with your name and postcode to 60777.

There are a number of events happening around Wales during National Marine Week for all the family to get involved with so contact your local Wildlife Trust for more information.

Here are a few events happening in Wales:

• Monday,1 August at 5pm - Cemlyn Seashore Safari: Rockpooling, strandlining and sea watching to look out for some of the weird and wonderful creatures that live on our shoreline.

• Wednesday, 3 August at 5pm - Bull Bay: Bring your picnic and watch out for porpoises, seals and sea birds from this beautiful spot. We'll be on hand with equipment, information and top tips for spotting wildlife.

• Thursday, 4 August at 10am - Rhosneigr Seashore Safari: Rockpooling, strandlining and seawatching.

• Wednesday, 10 August from 2pm - Rhyl Beach: Games and activities exploring the beach at Rhyl to learn about the marine life found there. Meet on the beach opposite the lifeguards station.

• Saturday, 13 August from 4.30pm - Llanddulas Rare Reef and Rockpools: Explore the shore and discover the incredible honeycomb worm reef and other seashore marvels.

• Daily land watches for dolphins from New Quay pier, 9am-5pm.

• Daily morning (11am) beach cleans, to highlight the problem of marine litter. Results of the daily litter picks will be on Facebook as well as sand sculptures and other fun activities to try at the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre.

Simon King OBE, President of The Wildlife Trusts, said: "Our seas are rich in surprising and alien species; fearsome wolf fish, drifting manes of sea kelp studded with blue-rayed limpets which gleam sapphire and technicolour sea slugs."

"National Marine Week is the perfect chance to discover this fascinating world with The Wildlife Trusts. By supporting Petition Fish you are playing your part in creating a network of MPAs, which could ultimately ensure the future health of our seas and sea life."

Crimora papillata pair. Image by CCW.

"The high number of sea slug species means that there must also be all the different foods present too. This is a great indication that the health of the Marine Reserve is really good and that the conservation of this part of the sea is proving a huge success for wildlife".

During the 2010 survey a wide range of habitats, in all conditions, were searched to find the sea slugs. Some can be hard to find as they are both very small and well camouflaged, and quite often the only clue to their presence is their eggs or prey species.

There are some nice underwater video clips on You Tube from CCW too.

Coryphella lineata by CCW

Visit Skomer MNR's exhibition at Martin's Haven to see the beauty of the underwater world and find out more about techniques used to survey and monitor marine wildlife.

Opening times: From Easter to November - 10.00 until 16.00 everyday. Winter opening times vary, but normally 10.00 until 16.00 on weekdays.

Find out more about Martin's Haven.

Watch a video clip about widlife on Skomer Island.

"We had a whale of a time on the beach, next to our marine exhibition in the Ocean Lab."

"It's all about Fishguard and Goodwick's rich marine heritage and we are hoping to build an even bigger blue whale during the Christmas Holidays - maybe even a world record."

The great white whale was made famous in the Herman Melville novel and later the John Ford film made partly in Fishguard starring Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab, back in 1954.

Previously, it had only been found as far north as Southern Biscay in the Atlantic, with the odd one seen more northerly off the coast of France, but never before in Welsh waters.

Dr Mandy McMath, Senior Marine Ecologist for the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) said, "Some species, if recorded routinely, could reveal important information on climate change and seasonal migrations. The sighting of more southerly species in Welsh waters indicates a possible rise in sea temperatures."

Paul Kay, co-author of 'Marine Fishes of Wales' would love any fishermen, rockpoolers, divers and people interested in identifying fish to report any unusual sightings to www.fishrecording.info

"There are gaps in our information about endangered species so all information will help us build up a better picture of fish species in Welsh waters."

Related links:

www.ccw.gov.uk

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"People are often surprised to hear of whales in our waters but with this beautiful weather and calm seas - we're hoping for a bumper season of sightings".

"It seems that from our records, minke whales start arriving in our waters about now (June), following the mackerel shoals".

"They also seem to be breeding here as can be seen from Adrian Shepherds picture taken on one of our recent surveys":


"Last August we were surrounded by huge fin whales so you never really know what's going to be out there".

Find out more about whales and dolphin sightings off the Welsh coast by following the Whales in Wales blog.

We've had some lovely photos of dolphins submitted to our Flickr group so take a look if you have a spare minute.

As usual - you can submit pics to our Flickr group or e-mail them to us at wales.nature@bbc.co.uk.

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The RPSB are asking young people to get involved and establish safe havens for sea creatures of all shapes and sizes - from dolphins to starfish.

New laws now commit the UK, Welsh and Scottish governments to creating more nature reserves at sea.

The RSPB, along with other organisations, is campaigning for the UK, Welsh and Scottish governments to act on these new powers and create a network of well protected marine areas.

These areas will help creatures as diverse as basking sharks, seabirds and corals, and their habitats, to recover and prosper with less threat from human activities.

Unlike on land where nature reserves successfully provide protected areas for wildlife, only a tiny percentage of our seas are protected.

A mere 0.0008 per cent of the UK's seas are fully protected with just over three square miles being designated as "No Take Zones".

This is currently the strongest possible protection available and bans any commercial activity within the designated areas but more are needed.

Every young person who raises money to help the 'Wildlife Explorers: I'm on the sea's side' appeal will get a certificate and a set of special stickers as a thank you.

Visit www.rspb.org.uk/youth to download a sponsor form, money box and other fun stuff.

Alternatively write to: RSPB Wildlife Explorers, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL or e-mail: explorers@rspb.org.uk and the RSPB will send them to you.

Schools in Wales will be able to take part in the appeal in September when a special bilingual information and fundraising pack, designed especially for teachers and school children will be available to download from the RSPB website.

The Sea Trust are a local volunteer group whose maxim is "Local people looking after their own marine wildlife and environment".

As part of their activities, the trust survey cetaceans around the Pembrokeshire coast as well as conducting surveys from aboard the 'Stena Europe' car ferry that sails between Fishguard and Rosslare.

Cliff reports: "We've been seeing an amazing amount of Risso's from the ferry along with some from the shore at Strumble Head.

Last week we came across a maternal group of Risso's Dolphins with very young calves which we managed to photograph and film as they passed us by".

For more information about cetacean and marine 'mega fauna' such as seals and sunfish visit the whales in wales blog

Keep an eye out for the Sea Trust on this year's Autumnwatch series.

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