The Essex Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena L, 2003 survey The majority of these sightings were in the Blackwater Estuary and waters off the Tendring peninsula, including Hamford Water, and Clacton. Only three records were from the southern Thames estuary (Canvey Island and Southend-on-Sea). Four records were outside Essex coastal waters, three from North Kent (Eastern edge Goodwin Sands) and one in Suffolk (Hollesley Bay). With the relatively small number of sightings reports and the short time the project has been running it is not yet possible to draw firm conclusions from the sightings. Furthermore there is likely to be an element of observer bias in the survey. Over the coming years we are confident a clear picture of seasonal occurrence and distribution of Harbour Porpoises and other cetaceans in the Thames Estuary will emerge. 2004 and the future of the project Cetaceans are attractive and popular animals and the project has generated much interest. Building on the success of the 2003 season the project has been expanded and the reporting network strengthened. In early 2004 the survey card was redesigned to include more information and 5000 new cards were printed. These have been distributed 120 marinas, chandlers and other appropriate locations in Suffolk, Essex and North Kent, including 20 gas platforms in the southern part of the North sea. Mariners and cetaceans are no respecters of county boundaries. Links have been established with Thames coastguard (cetaceans are 'royal fish' and the coastguard is informed of strandings) and birdwatching groups. The POD has not been deployed in 2004. Survey cards and other correspondence continues to arrive and the report for 2004 is being collated. In addition to Harbour Porpoise, several other whale and dolphin species have been reported alive and stranded in 2004. If you sec a living cetacean record the species or if you arc unsure write/draw a description. Note the date and location with Latitude/Longitude if at sea or an Ordnance Survey grid reference. If you find a live stranding, please remember that whales, dolphins, porpoises (and seals) can harbour diseases that are transmissible to humans and are also able to inflict serious injury through biting or 46 Essex Naturalist (New Series) 21 (2004)