Long-term monitoring is the foundation of effective conservation. At HWDT we talk about long-term monitoring a lot but what is it and why is it such an important part of wildlife conservation?
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Silurian is not just a research vessel, she’s home to the hundreds of volunteers who join us each year and doubles up as a floating classroom, welcoming on board school children to be inspired by their local marine environment. Our First Mate Jake has been giving our hardworking vessel some TLC.
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Every year, we welcome aboard teams of students from St Andrew’s University Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) to discover how we collect data on board our research vessel, Silurian. Over the course of 10 days, each team spent time travelling to different areas of the west coast, collecting vital visual and acoustic data on marine mammals.
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Since 2002, our research vessel, Silurian, has been collecting information of international importance on marine life in the Hebrides. A recognisable and familiar presence off Scotland’s west coast, Silurian and her teams of citizen scientists have worked hard, monitoring and protecting areas of critical habitat for whales and dolphins, but has she always undertaken such vital work?
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To protect our marine environment, we must first understand it. How do we deepen our understanding…data. HWDTs flagship, Silurian, celebrated a milestone in 2022 - marking 20 years of monitoring Hebridean seas. Read all about the 20th field season on board Silurian
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Every year, we welcome aboard teams of students from St Andrew’s University Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) to discover how we collect data on board our research vessel, Silurian. Over the course of 10 days, each team spent time travelling to different areas of the west coast, collecting vital visual and acoustic data on marine mammals. Each of the teams share their experiences here
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Iona-based visual artist Mhairi Killin will open her major new collaborative multi-media exhibition On Sonorous Seas at An Tobar on Mull from 8 July to 27 August.. The installation - which mixes whale bone sculpture, video, poetry and soundscape alongside a series of podcasts - is inspired by the complex relationship between the militarisation of Scotland’s waters and its existing ecosystem.
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What do you remember most about school? The lessons sat behind a desk, spending lunch times playing with your friends, or the excitement and anticipation of that one off school trip, getting out of the confines of the classroom, visiting somewhere new and experiencing something for the first time. In this blog we explore why hands on, outdoor experiences are important for children.
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Just in time for Spring, as spotting conditions improve and the wildlife begins to arrive in larger numbers around local shores, we have released a new and improved Whale Track app. Here we explore five new features of Whale Track.
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The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) are calling on members of the public to get involved with efforts to protect Scottish whales and dolphins by reporting what they’ve spotted and carrying out surveys from both land and sea. The appeal comes as the conservation charity launches its new and improved Whale Track community sightings app and website.
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Adventure beckons as the summer field season on board our research vessel, Silurian, kicks off this weekend. But before we raise the anchor and set sail, we’d love to share some of the exciting developments we’ve made over the winter with support from the NatureScot Nature Restoration Fund.
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COP26 started this week in Glasgow, where world leaders are meeting to discuss how best to tackle climate issues. Our Science Officer Becky explores what climate change means for our oceans, and what impacts in could be having to the whales, dolphins, and porpoises in our waters….
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Silurian battled through strong winds and heavy showers on our latest acoustic expedition. In total, we surveyed over 330 nautical miles, collecting over 60 hours of acoustic recordings.
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On our latest expedition onboard our research vessel Silurian, we went went, surveying the waters around the Outer Hebrides and reaching some of the most remote areas of the Scottish west coast.
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After volunteering three years ago, Bruce joined us on board Silurian as First Mate for our latest acoustic expedition. Bruce talks to our Science Officer Becky about that three year journey and why that first survey made such an impact…
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Our latest expedition on board our research vessel Silurian was action packed! Not only did we have some incredible wildlife encounters, but we even managed to join James Armour for some of his incredible Selkie race.
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Thanks to contributions from members of the public Silurian continues to monitor Hebridean waters, in the company of some very friendly minkes whales.
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Due to the amazing generosity of our supporters in our recent Big Give Green Match Fund campaign, our research vessel set out to monitor Joint Warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise, to help us understand the impact it may have on cetaceans in the Hebrides.
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A huge thank you to everyone who donated to the Big Give campaign. Because of YOUR support, Silurian is back on the water monitoring and protecting cetaceans on the west coast of Scotland and we are jumping for joy!
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You can help us to conduct research by taking part in the Big Give campaign! Every pound that you donate will be DOUBLED by the Big Give Green Match Fund, helping us to collect crucial data on the whales and dolphins in our waters!
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