Five local people will be trained up by Goodwick conservation organisation, Sea Trust, thanks to funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Sea Trust has received £1995 of funding through the Postcode Local Trust and has used the funding to purchase four new pairs of marine binoculars and a high spec camera.

These will be used in Sea Trust’s porpoise photo-ID project, enabling it to carry out photographic identification surveys of harbour porpoise around Fishguard Bay.

“Using photography to gather images of individual cetaceans is a well-established technique that allows better monitoring and understanding of the population,” said Sea Trust project officer Chantelle Cove.

“However, we are the first group we are aware of in the UK to attempt this with harbour porpoise, as they are notoriously boat shy and difficult to see.

“Our Porpoise Photo-ID study will gather these images from the shore - massively reducing costs while potentially increasing the chances of a porpoise sighting.

“Our photographer Ken Barnett has, over the past year, collected images of 15 individuals we can easily recognise from markings on their bodies. But we really need more frequent surveys, happening in more locations, to get a more complete understanding of the porpoise activity.”

As part of the project Sea Trust is also recruiting five new unemployed volunteers who will be trained in using the new equipment, as well as species identification.

“This project will help unemployed people to gain skills in photography, scientific surveying, computer skills and also demonstrate willingness to learn, teamwork and responsibility, all skills that many employers look for.

“For those looking to go on or retrain to work in science, particularly conservation, this kind of experience is a considerable advantage in a competitive field.”

Recruitment is taking place this month. For more information e-mail chantelle@seatrust.org.uk or ring Sea Trust at the Ocean Lab on 01348 874737.