Posts tagged marine biology
For the love of long-term monitoring
For the love of long-term monitoring

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, Science & Research, Sightings, Survey SummariesAlison Lomaxmarine biology, marine conservation, marine mammals, whats been spotted, minke whale, bottlenose dolphins, killer whale, porpoise, silurian, expedition, research vessel, protect the ocean, marine mammal monitoring, monitoring expedition, data, data collection
Paradise Found - Tales from Silurian
Paradise Found - Tales from Silurian

Vaughan, our Volunteer Outreach Assistant, reflects on his experiences during the twelve day monitoring expedition he joined on board our research vessel, Silurian.

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Survey Summaries, SilurianGuest Userwildlife experiences in Scotland, wildlife watching, wildlife hol, conservation holidays, holiday with a difference, eco holidays, marine mammal monitoring, monitoring expedition, expedition, explore, explore the Hebrides, activity holiday, scotlnd, sailing, sailing holiday, sailing experience, protect the ocean, protect the whales, ocean protection, helping save dolphins, help save whales, Scottish wildlife, marine biology, marine biodiversity, marine wildlife, citizenscience, citizen science, how can
Students treated to dinky minke, bow riding commons and Hebridean sunshine
Students treated to dinky minke, bow riding commons and Hebridean sunshine

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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Survey Summaries, SilurianSadie GorvettSt Andrews University, Marine Mammal Masters Fieldtrip, University Field Trip, training course, training, silurian, acoustic survey, visual monitoring, whale, dolphin, porpoise, who is studying Scottish dolphins, who studies whales UK, Scottish wildlife, rese, students, student training, marine biology, SMRU, Sea Mammal Research Unit
Silurian: from smuggling to science
Silurian: from smuggling to science

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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Silurian, Science & Research, Sightings, Survey SummariesMorven Summersmarine biology, marine conservation, marine mammals, whats been spotted, minke whale, bottlenose dolphins, killer whale, porpoise, silurian, expedition, research vessel, protect the ocean, marine mammal monitoring, monitoring expedition, data, data collection
Monitoring the Hebrides for 20 Years!
Monitoring the Hebrides for 20 Years!

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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Silurian, Science & Research, Sightings, Survey SummariesMorven Summersmarine biology, marine conservation, marine mammals, whats been spotted, minke whale, bottlenose dolphins, killer whale, porpoise, silurian, expedition, research vessel, protect the ocean, marine mammal monitoring, monitoring expedition, data, data collection
Silurian circumnavigates Lewis during seventh expedition
Silurian circumnavigates Lewis during seventh expedition

Silurian - our research vessel - and her team of dedicated volunteers circumnavigated the Isle of Lewis during the seventh research expedition of the 2022 summer field season. Battling through some challenging conditions, the team were rewarded with some great encounters on the way back to Stornoway. Here Craig Mackie, Science Officer on board, recalls the expedition

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Silurian, Survey SummariesMorven Summerswhale conservation, wildlife watching, wildlife experiences in Scotland, volunteers, volunteer holidays, volunteer holiday, citizenscience, citizen science projects, science tourism, scientific tourism, join us on board, low impact whale watching, helping save whales, helping save dolphins, eco break, eco tourism, holiday with a difference, conservation holidays, experience in the field, marine biology, marine conservation
Remote parts of the Hebrides surveyed during fifth research expedition
Remote parts of the Hebrides surveyed during fifth research expedition

Monitoring Hebridean seas is well underway, with Silurian - our research vessell - completing her fifth expedition of the 2022 Summer field season. Some great conditions allowed us to gather data from some of the more remote and exposed parts of our study area. Here, Craig Mackie, Science Officer on board, recalls details of the expedition

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Silurian, Survey SummariesCaroline Williswhale conservation, wildlife watching, wildlife experiences in Scotland, volunteers, volunteer holidays, volunteer holiday, citizenscience, citizen science projects, science tourism, scientific tourism, join us on board, low impact whale watching, helping save whales, helping save dolphins, eco break, eco tourism, holiday with a difference, conservation holidays, experience in the field, marine biology, marine conservation
Silurian welcomes aboard students from St Andrew's University
Silurian welcomes aboard students from St Andrew's University

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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Survey Summaries, SilurianSadie GorvettSt Andrews University, Marine Mammal Masters Fieldtrip, University Field Trip, training course, training, silurian, acoustic survey, visual monitoring, whale, dolphin, porpoise, who is studying Scottish dolphins, who studies whales UK, Scottish wildlife, rese, students, student training, marine biology, SMRU, Sea Mammal Research Unit