Spring into action for whales in Scotland!

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You can help us to conduct essential scientific research by taking part in The Big give green fund!

We have been selected to take part in the first-ever Big Give Green Match Fund! Launching on Earth Day on 22nd April, for one week only, we have an amazing opportunity to get back out on the water this spring with your help to continue our vital work monitoring and protecting cetaceans on the west coast of Scotland.


why it is essential that we get back on the water this spring!

The west coast of Scotland is of international importance for whales, dolphins, and porpoises- collectively known as cetaceans - with many areas of critical habitat in need of protection and recovery. At the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, we have been monitoring Hebridean seas onboard our research vessel, Silurian, for almost 20 years. Species monitoring is vital to conserve wildlife. Long-term research and monitoring are essential to understand and protect highly mobile and long-lived species like whales and dolphins. Our programme generates the only long-term, effort-corrected dataset for cetaceans on the west coast of Scotland. The pressures faced by whales and dolphins globally are also huge and the threat of extinction for some species is real. Even in Scottish waters, a much-loved community of killer whales faces extinction within our lifetime. It is crucial that we monitor and protect cetaceans in areas of critical habitat within Scotland’s Hebridean seas.

Spring is a vital time to monitor whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the waters of western Scotland. Our seas begin to warm and whales migrate into our productive waters to feed. Some of the whales we study have been visiting Hebridean seas for over two decades. Due to the pandemic, we couldn’t monitor these important waters and the whales that use them in spring and early summer 2020. This year, with YOUR help, we can spring into action and carry out research at this critical time of year.

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ONE DONATION

TWICE THE IMPACT

For one week only your donation will have twice the impact! Any donation that you make during this week will be DOUBLED. If you can, please donate – even the smallest donation will be MATCHED by The Big Give and will help us reach our goal to carry out more surveys this spring. No amount is too small.

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BECAUSE OF YOUR HELP, WE WILL BE ABLE TO:

  • Provide vital species and habitat monitoring to protect important marine areas in Scottish waters and the whales that use them.

  • Conduct Acoustic marine mammal surveys with our experienced researchers in spring and early summer 2021.

  • Continue the only long-term (18+ years), effort-corrected dataset (120,000 km) for whales and dolphins on the west coast of Scotland

  • Generate and share knowledge of whales in Scottish waters and provide evidence to drive effective marine conservation

  • Identify and monitor the threats in our waters and track trends and changes in the marine environment.

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PLUS YOU COULD WIN AN EXCLUSIVE TRIP ON BOARD SILURIAN!

By donating to the campaign you will automatically be entered in for a chance of winning an exclusive trip on our research vessel. This time next year you could be onboard Silurian, on a springtime sail from Tobermory to Mallaig.

Jong the crew as we sail the vessel around Ardnamurchan, the most westerly point on the UK mainland. We will also take the opportunity to explore the Small Isles a fantastic area from cetaceans. Although the exact route will be weather-dependent, we will stay the night in one of the west coasts stunning and remote anchorages.

ONE DONATION = ONE CHANCE TO WIN

Terms and conditions:

  • A combination of a random number generator and random selection of paper tickets is used to select a winner after the completion of the campaign. The winner will be notified separately by email to arrange details. 

  • Where HWDT is unable to contact a prize-winner so that a prize remains unclaimed for six months following HWDT's first attempt to notify the prize-winner, HWDT may reapply the prize as it sees fit, including re-offering the prize in future campaigns

  • You must be over 18 and able to travel to and from Tobermory and Mallaig independently.

  • Everything you need when onboard will be provided including food. You will also need to fill out a participant form and adhere to the terms and conditions

  • The winner is required to co-operate with HWDT’s right to publish their win as and where deemed appropriate and to provide proof of age when requested.

 GOOD LUCK!

We know that these are very difficult times. please give as generously as you can so that we can get back on the water this spring. Remember, The Big Give Green Match Fund will DOUBLE any donations made between midday on Thursday the 22nd of April and Thursday the 29th of April!