The Isle of Man is to get its first ever visitors’ centre devoted to the marine mammals found around the coastline.
The Manx Whale and Dolphin Visitor Centre, on Michael Street in Peel, will hold its official opening on Saturday, January 26th between 10am and 4pm.
It will then open most days providing information about the many species of porpoises, whales and dolphins which can be found in Manx waters.
It will also serve as the official headquarters of the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch charity.
Founded in 2006 the organisation was the brainchild of John “Galps” Galpin who observed whales and dolphins from his home in Dalby and produced a website to help him identify the species he could see.
Since 2007 MWDW has conducted scientific surveys of whales, dolphins and porpoises, at sea and from the coast, to monitor populations and movements of our local species.
In 2015, just a year after John sadly passed away, Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch became a registered Isle of Man charity and the visitor centre will be the culmination of his dream.
Part-funded by the Manx Lottery Trust the centre will incorporate cetacean bones discovered on the Island’s shores as well as recognition charts.
It will also have a sightings board, complete with a map, to show the latest reports sent in by the public.
On average MWDW receives around 500 such reports per year via the internet, social media and phone.
For children, there will be a young scientist’s area hosting special activities and educational events with a maritime theme.
Education Outreach Manager Jen Adams says: “We are delighted to be opening the Island’s first permanent centre where both visitors and Island residents can find out more about these under-appreciated creatures.
“Peel has been the spiritual home and base for our charity since its inception, and so was the obvious location when we were looking for our headquarters.
“We’re very excited about the facility, which will hopefully become yet another reason to visit the Isle of Man and spark more interest in conservation and marine biology.
“Both our staff and the 70 trained volunteers who help survey the Irish Sea are looking forward to welcoming members of the public when we throw open our doors.”
