Hear from Karen, one of ORCA's Marine Mammal Surveyors, who has completed over 50 surveys since 2018! She is now a Team Leader and an essential part of the ORCA citizen scientist community.
When I retired from the police in 2018, I had no marine background but just loved everything about the ocean.
In 2018, I met ORCA on a ferry, the Pont-Aven, across the Bay of Biscay whilst on a joint experience with Jessops. It would be fair to say I was immediately taken with the charity and its purpose. I joined them straight away! I started with ORCA’s Marine Mammal Surveyor training and then conducted my first ferry survey. I live close to Plymouth so surveys I initially took part in were conducted to France, Spain and the Isles of Scilly. It gave me experience, and I then trained to become a Team Leader. It’s a role I love, to work as a team and guide others is amazingly gratifying.
As well as ferry surveys, I’ve also taken part in cruise surveys on Saga ships and have had the good fortune to go to places where we have recorded many whales, dolphins and porpoises, as well as other marine mammals. I have also found a love of birds, although I still have lots to learn about them.
I’ve also been part of an important project in the Southern Ocean where whales were almost hunted to extinction. This project is vitally important for the protection of the large whales whose populations are recovering and making a return to the area. I am so proud to be a part of this.
My favourite moments with ORCA include that initial meeting on board the Pont-Aven, not only did it change everything but we also saw True’s beaked whales!
Other highlights include an encounter with several blue whales off the coast of Africa, and encountering the famous orcas, John Coe and Aquarius, off the coast of Ireland.
Being part of ORCA has changed my life. Citizen science means making a difference as we can add to the information needed to put measures in place to protect these amazing animals. Contributing to conservation in action is so satisfying.
It’s the best step I’ve made from looking after people for 30 years to looking after whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Karen is an incredible ambassador for ORCA and for the vital work we do. She is not only a highly skilled and valued citizen scientist, but also someone who brings passion, generosity, and heart to everything she takes on.
Karen pours extraordinary effort into her roles with ORCA. Whether that's by supporting her survey teams, creating additional resources to share with guests as a Sea Safari Guide or Wildlife Officer on Saga cruises, or hand‑making and selling crafts to raise funds for ORCA, she consistently goes the extra mile. Her dedication is felt across the organisation, and everyone at ORCA HQ is deeply grateful for the time, energy, and care she invests.
Karen has also played an important part in my own ORCA journey. She was the Team Leader on my very first Team Leader Training survey from Plymouth to Santander, and I’ve been lucky to spend many days at sea with her since. I can’t thank her enough for everything she brings to ORCA and to the people around her.
Ellie Adams Conservation Monitoring Manager at ORCA
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