Posts tagged marine conservation

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

Sandeel fisheries to be banned in Scottish waters

Following a public consultation in 2023, the Scottish Government have announced a ban on industrial sandeel fishing in Scottish waters ahead of the 2024 fishery season in March. The move is especially important for species that rely on sandeels as an important component of their diet, such as harbour porpoise and minke whale.

Science & ResearchAlison Lomax5 February 2024marine conservation, marine mammals, minke whale, porpoise, sandeel, sandeel fisheries ban Scotland

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?

A Picture Tells a Thousand Words

Photography has never been so accessible; the development of camera technology in our phones and the affordability of professional kit means more people than ever can take amazing photos. But did you know…for decades photos have been a fundamental resource in driving forward our understanding of whales and dolphins.

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?

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

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

HWDT welcomes new Fieldwork Research Manager

Meet Jenny - our new Fieldwork Research Manager, but she’s no stranger to Silurian or HWDT. Jenny has been part of the team for a while, most recently as our Exhibitions Officer in our Discovery Centre, while providing relief cover for the Science Officer on board Silurian.

Science & ResearchMorven Summers17 November 2022HWDT, HWDT staff, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, marine wildlife, marine conservation, Silurian, bottlenose dolphins, Hebrides, Sea Life Surveys

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

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

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

Second Research Expedition Records 7 Species!

Our second research expedition of the summer field season was exceptional - recording a total of seven marine mammal species, including killer whales, John Coe and Aquarius of the West Coast Community! Hannah, our Science Officer on board who leads the data collection programme shares her experience

First Research Expedition of 2022 Kicks Off!

We’re off!! The summer field season (April - October) on board our research vessel, Silurian, has started. Despite battling challenging conditions, the team on board remained steadfast. Hannah, our scientist who led the data collection on board, shares the expedition update

Last Survey of the Winter Field Season

Our winter survey programme on board Silurian has been running since 2019, learning more about the year-round presence of marine mammals and basking sharks in Hebridean seas. These surveys are important given that prior to the start of the programme, little winter data existed for the region. Science Officer, Jenny, gives an update on the last winter survey of this year…

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.

What impact is climate change having on the whales in our waters?

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….

In the News, Climate ChangeRebecca Dudley3 November 2021citizenscience, citizen science, silurian, Silurian, Siluiran, monitoring, monitoring expedition, common dolphin, killer whale, UKs killer whale population, UK orca populations, orca, busta the killer whale, razor the killer whale, hebrides, outer hebrides, western isles, marineconservation, marine conservation, marine tourism, marine wildlife, sustainability, sustainable marine tourism, sustainable tourism, ecotourism, eco tourism, biological recording, data collection, scottish orca, scottish whales, scottish dolphins, volunteering, volunteer, volunteer now, volunteer holidays, get involved, volunteernow, volunteers, gain experience, bottlenose dolphins, underwaternoise, whale, dolphin, cop26, cop, Glasgow UN Climate Conference, UN, UN Climate, Climate change, global warming, how climate change is effecting whales, how climate change is effecting dolphins, effects of climate change, marine biodiversity, biodiversity loss, COP26, climate emergency

Silurian battles through storms on our latest acoustic expedition

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.

Circumnavigating the Outer Hebrides on our latest expedition

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.

From volunteer to First Mate: Bruce’s journey

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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