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Whale Health Ocean Wise Sightings Network

Ocean Wise Sighting Network Data Request

Ocean Wise Sighting Network Data Request Form

Ocean Wise Sighting Network Data Request Form

The Ocean Wise Sighting Network (OWSN) considers data requests for the following purposes:

   • Academic research on ecology, basic biology, habitat use, or related subjects

   • Conservation assessment and planning

   • Species recovery planning, including critical habitat determination

   • Environmental impact assessment, evaluation, and mitigation

Please note: Data will not be supplied unless the ultimate purpose and end user are clearly identified.

If you require regular access or complex visualization/analysis, please select the relevant option below and a staff member will contact you to discuss your request.

Data provided will include: date, time, species name, scientific name, ecotype, ID confidence, latitude, longitude, animal behaviour, sighting platform, number of animals, direction of travel, and comments.












For non-commercial research, education, or conservation projects. You receive a snapshot of the data you need in your requested format. Examples include sightings within a date range or geographic area, exported as a data table or simple map.   

If any of the following apply, please fill out a brief project description below, and someone will be in contact with you.

• You need data on a regular or ongoing basis

• You need effort-corrected data or complex derived products

• You intend to use the data for commercial purposes


Please provide a few sentences describing your project and what you are looking for.

Please describe the nature of your project, data you are looking for, how often you will require it, and any other relevant details
How will you plan to use the OWSN data


Species of Interest
Select all that apply

Please indicate your area of interest by creating a shapefile (ensure all components are in a single .zip file.) Upload the zip file to Google Drive or your preferred cloud service and paste the shared link here. Or provide 4 coordinates for a bounding box of your area.

As default, the team will provide a .csv of your data. If you require any other information, formats, or any other information to provide please state in the comments box.
Conditions for using Ocean Wise Sightings Network (OWSN) data

Ocean Wise Conservation Association is the exclusive custodian of the Ocean Wise Sightings Network (OWSN) database. By requesting and receiving OWSN data, you agree to these conditions.


Read Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions







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Ocean Wise is based in the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xÊ·məθkwÉ™yÌ“É™m (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and SÉ™lÌ“ílwÉ™taÊ”/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We work across Turtle Island and beyond, supporting Indigenous peoples in their vital work on ocean conservation and biodiversity whenever possible or as we are invited to.