About Us

The Thames has come a remarkable way since being declared biologically dead in 1957. Today, it supports a thriving marine ecosystem, thanks to decades of dedication from organisations working to restore and protect the river. However, this recovery is increasingly threatened by pollution, habitat disturbance and climate change, leaving the future of the Thames' biodiversity at a critical turning point.

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Thames Seal Watch was founded following the death of the much-loved London seal, Freddie, after a dog attack in 2021. Our original aim was to bridge the gap in public knowledge about the wildlife living in the Thames and inspire greater protection for this unique environment. Since then, our work has evolved to address some of the river's newest and most pressing conservation challenges, including managing the increasing number of seal haul-outs in busy public spaces and creating a project to reduce the growing number of cetacean strandings and fatalities in the Thames, still in planning stages.

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We have also started the Thames Seal Identification Log, a long-term research project that builds individual profiles of the seals using the river. By identifying and monitoring individuals over time, we are learning more about their movements, migration, social relationships, site fidelity, haul-out patterns and behaviour, providing valuable insights that can help inform future conservation efforts.

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Looking ahead, we hope to expand our research to better understand the impacts of chemical pollution within the Thames, investigating how contaminants move through the river and affect marine wildlife.

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Education is central to everything we do. We work to raise awareness of the incredible wildlife living in the Thames and provide guidance on how people can safely and responsibly share these spaces with seals and other marine mammals. By promoting respectful behaviour and reducing disturbance, we aim to minimise preventable incidents and encourage positive coexistence between people and wildlife.

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Thames Seal Watch is partnered with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) and is an Executive Member of the Seal Alliance, collaborating on both local conservation initiatives and national campaigns to improve the protection and welfare of seals and other marine mammals across the UK.

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