Posts in In the News

Record high for minke whale sightings but record low for basking sharks, research in Hebrides finds

2023 saw the highest sighting rates and numbers of minke whales yet recorded in the Hebrides, but the lowest known for basking sharks.

Join a Teen Team expedition for free!

Thanks to generous sponsorship, HWDT are delighted to offer two free spaces to young adults living on the west coast of Scotland. If you are aged 16 or 17 and have an interest in the marine environment, apply today to join us for free on an expedition running 04 - 10 August 2024.

HWDT welcomes a new charity Chair in its 30th year

Today HWDT trustees announce that they have appointed Helen Stace to succeed Juliana Butler as the new Chair of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.

In the NewsAlison Lomax2 April 2024marine conservation, HWDT, HWDT staff, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, Juliana Butler, Alison Lomax, Chair, Chairperson, Helen Stace

A milestone for citizen science as over 10,000 sightings of whales, dolphins and porpoises are reported to marine conservation charity

2023 was a record-breaking year for marine conservation charity the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) and their Whale Track community of citizen scientists. For the first time in the Trusts 30-year history, over 10,000 sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks were reported by members of the public in one year.

Minke whales visiting Scotland’s west coast set European record

Scotland’s west coast seas are a vitally important area for minke whales – with some of these spectacular but vulnerable marine mammals notching up Europe’s longest sighting histories of almost 30 years, research by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust shows.

Nature charities call on political leaders to increase ambition on environment

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.

In the News, Climate ChangeMorven Summers17 August 2023

Telling the Tale of the West Coast Killer Whale

The tale of the West Coast Community of killer whales will be told in a new film by Director, George Hoagy Morris. Over the coming weeks, George will take to the water, attempting to capture footage of the elusive West Coast Community. Inspired by the story of this unique population of killer whales, the film will share their tragic story with new audiences.

In the News, SightingsMorven Summers10 August 2023West Coast Community, killer whale, killer whales, UKs killer whale population, UKs last killer whales, john coe, John Coe, aquarius, Aquarius, Orca, orcas, scotlnd, marine wildlife, george hoagy morris, film, documentary

Save the whale...save the planet!

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.

Rare audio recordings of the West Coast Community shared with the British Library

There are only two known recordings of the vocalisations – or ‘voices’ - of the West Coast Community killer whales. Last week, these rare recordings were shared with the British Library to be placed in their archives and preserved for future generations alongside the sounds of extinct species and lost human languages.

Science & Research, Silurian, In the NewsAlison Lomax24 May 2023British Library, Cosmo Sheldrake, Tom Mustill, HWDT, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, killer whale, West Coast Community, acoustic, rare recordings, whale voices, British Library archive

HWDT Statement on Scottish HPMAs

HWDT supports the Scottish Government proposals for Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). However, we recognise that these measures need to be carefully designed and include communities at the heart of the decision-making process

Science & Research, In the NewsMorven Summers11 April 2023highly protected marine areas, HPMA, scotland, policy, conservation strategy, conservation, marine conservation

Walrus in the Hebrides

A walrus has been spotted hauled out on Cairn na Burgh Beag - a small island which forms part of the Treshnish Isles, off the NW coast of the Isle of Mull. Local creel fisherman, Lorn MacRae, spotted the massive creature basking on the shore in the winter sun.

Sightings, In the NewsMorven Summers27 February 2023Walrus, marine mammals, marine biology, treshnish, mull, scottish wildlife, citizen science projects, citizen, Whale Track

Have your say on Highly Protected Marine Areas

The Scottish Government are currently running a public consultation to seek your views on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). HWDT will be responding to the consultation and we hope that all stakeholders will take the opportunity to voice their views, so that the best possible outcome can be reached for whales, dolphins, porpoises and people.

In the News, Science & ResearchLauren Hartny-Mills16 February 2023whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans, marine protected areas, MPA, consultation response, highly protected marine areas, have your say, porpoises

Collaboration is key to reducing whale entanglements in Scotland

Research published last month shows the extent of whale entanglements in fishing gear around Scotland and has identified potential solutions to reduce entanglements in the future.

*PRESS RELEASE* Free Spaces for Teenagers on board August Whale Research Expedition Cruise on Scotland’s West Coast

*PRESS RELEASE* On Sonorous Seas

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.

Seen a fin? send it in! – Scottish charity urges public to report whale and dolphin sightings in Hebrides

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.

SEA response to updated MCS Good Fish Guide ratings

This statement has been issued by the Scottish Entanglement Alliance (SEA), a collaboration between industry, researcher and conservation groups working together to better understanding entanglement in Scottish waters.

In the NewsMorven Summers7 April 2022entanglement, SEA, scottish, Scottish Entanglement Alliance, research, MCS, MCS Good Fish Guide, creel, creel fishing, creels

Partnership to protect whales raises over £2K

Last year, Hebridean Adventures have raised a staggering £2,244 to protect Scottish whales and dolphins. The Stornoway-based small-boat cruising company plan to run a fundraising cruise in Aug 2022 to continue their fundraising efforts.

*PRESS RELEASE* From the classroom to the high seas – Scottish charity inspires 10,000 school kids to protect our oceans

10,000 school children have now taken part in educational programmes run by conservation charity the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT). The Trust has been inspiring children to cherish their marine environment for over 15 years, with over 200 schools having taken part in the charity’s educational programme since 2005.

*PRESS RELEASE* Ground-breaking Scottish project to reduce marine animal entanglement in creel fishing gear

The Scottish Entanglement Alliance have issued a report on the threat of entanglement to marine animals in Scottish waters. This cross-sector partnership has come together to better understand the scale, extent and impact. Only by working together can we tackle the issue effectively.

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