During 2024, 11,039 sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life were reported to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) by members of the public, or citizen scientists. Over 65,000 animals have been sighted in Scottish waters, from 17 different species.
Whales and dolphins are long-lived and well-travelled, with some species crossing oceans on migration. Understanding these magnificent creatures and safeguarding their futures relies on long-term monitoring, offering us a deeper glimpse into their lives and challenges.
Our expedition surveys on board our research vessel, Silurian, have been monitoring Scotland’s seas for over two decades. This long-term monitoring is critical, driving protections to restore marine biodiversity and championing healthy seas for nature and communities.
HWDT are members of Scottish Environment LINK - a forum where organisations from a broad spectrum of environmental interests can contribute to a more sustainable society through combined advocacy. This week, members of LINK joined forces and issued an open letter to Scotland’s political leaders calling for increased action in the face of the growing biodiversity and climate crises.
The great whales are important green allies in the fight against climate change; from storing carbon in the ocean depths, to encouraging phytoplankton blooms at the surface, the denizens of the deep are a natural, effective solution to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In October 2018, Rachel Horsburgh joined a research expedition, this inspired her to write ‘Whale Song’. ‘Whale Song’ has recently been showcased as part of The Nature Library exhibition of writings at the Ullapool Ferry Terminal last weekend, curated by Christina Riley, as part of the Climate Fringe Festival.
Siobhan shares some of her thoughts on climate change as COP26 comes to a close. Before starting at HWDT she researched the role of the oceans in climate change, and she reflects on a topic that both fascinates and frustrates her.
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….
