Durlston Marine Project

The Durlston Marine Project is our community based marine awareness programme. It focuses on the Durlston Marine Research Area - a voluntary marine study area that extends 25km along the Purbeck coastline from St. Aldhelm's Head to South Haven Point.

The most striking feature of the area is its diversity. Shores face north, east and south while boulder strewn beaches, sand dunes, and towering limestone cliffs give way, beneath the waves, to sandy meadows and rocky reefs. The dramatic array of landscapes and seascapes support a huge diversity of wildlife and a wide range of human activities.

The Durlston Marine Project aims to investigate, raise awareness and promote the wise management of this rich local marine environment.

What We Do

The Project specialises in bringing the marine world to life through the innovative use of modern technology. We have pioneered the use of remote cameras and underwater microphones to study the important seabird colonies along the cliffs and the bottlenose dolphins that visit the local waters.

Community walks, talks, displays, leaflets and a programme of special events complement these studies.

Get Involved

Each of our projects depend on volunteer support. There are many ways to help the Project. You could:

• Join our Dolphin Watch team.
• Report your sighting of dolphins, porpoises or seals.
• Help with our beach cleans.
• Adopt a Durlston Dolphin to fund the research.
• Or provide welcome hands-on help with our many community events.

Partners

Durlston Marine Project is supported by Dorset County Council, Dorset Coast Forum, Dorset Wildlife Trust and Friends of Durlston.

Durlston Marine Project is a member of Dorset Coastlink, which is a voluntary initiative to raise awareness of the relatively unknown marine environment.