Posts by Alison Lomax

Deep divers inshore drive

Inshore movement of deep diving whales in Scottish coastal waters documented by community sightings volunteers.

Push the boat out, to protect whales in Scotland project update

How your donations have helped make our iconic flagship, Silurian, a more effective and environmentally friendly survey platform.

Fundraising, SilurianAlison Lomax17 September 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?

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

Research expeditions beyond Level 0

During the 2020 and 2021 field season, we have been unable to welcome people to join us on board our research vessel to help protect Scottish whales and dolphins…we look forward to 2022 when we can again!

SilurianAlison Lomax26 August 2021Operations, operations, Covid 19, level 0, restrictions, sailing, sail with us, sailing holiday, join us, wildlife holiday, eco break

Hebridean Adventures supports HWDT as new charity partner

Hebridean Adventures is supporting us to protect whales and dolphins on Scotland’s west coast and will be working to contribute sightings for our research programme, raise awareness of our work and encourage visitors to get involved with HWDT’s conservation projects.

Alison Lomax8 April 2021

Celebrating what you helped us achieve in 2019

2019 marked our 25th year of operation. Our 2019 Annual Report is out now and celebrates what you have helped us to achieve.

FundraisingAlison Lomax19 November 2020supporters, annual report 2018

Travelling Whale supports HWDT as UK charity partner

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is excited to introduce our new partnership with Travelling Whale, a company focused on sustainable adventures. Travelling Whale is supporting HWDT to protect whales and dolphins on Scotland’s west coast.

Fundraising, In the NewsAlison Lomax8 October 2020corporate partnership, partnership, donation, charity support, Farer watches, HWDT, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, travelling whale

Concern as Joint Warrior begins

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Joint Warrior, a UK led NATO military exercise. This latest exercise runs 4th - 15th October 2020. Unusual behaviour has been documented historically and this year there are additional concerns due to the presence of five northern bottlenose whales, known to be in the area as Joint Warrior begins.

Science & ResearchAlison Lomax3 October 2020Silurian, joint warrior, research expedition, whale and dolphin research, acoustic, acoustic survey, HWDT, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust

Deep-Sea Marine Reserve Designated

Good news! The Scottish Government has announced the designation of a new Deep-Sea Marine Reserve off the west coast of Scotland.

In the NewsAlison Lomax30 September 2020MPA proposals, Campaign, MPA, Atlantic, Scottish Environment LINK, Scottish Government, Scottish Waters, conservation, marineconservation, policy, offshore seas

Navigating towards our new normal

With the support of our members, animal sponsors, donors, funders, corporate partners and volunteers we are beginning to navigate our way towards our new normal. Your support has been vital to keeping our charity afloat in 2020 and enabling us to restart our work. Thank you.

FundraisingAlison Lomax18 September 2020Covid-19, coronavirus, coronavirus response, donate, sponsor an animal, join, support, membership, volunteer

Celebrating the spirit of adventure with our new Farer partnership

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust is delighted to introduce our partnership with leading UK watch makers, Farer, to help raise awareness of Hebridean marine life and provide vital funds for our research and conservation programme.

Fundraising, In the NewsAlison Lomax21 August 2020Farer, corporate partnership, partnership, donation, charity support, Farer watches, HWDT, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust

Ten weeks of lockdown

Our normal action-packed summer season allows us to raise the money we need to conserve Hebridean whales, dolphins and porpoises year round. With these activities suspended or cancelled due to Covid-19, our charity is at risk and we need your help to meet this shortfall

FundraisingAlison Lomax3 June 2020Covid-19, coronavirus, coronavirus response, donate, sponsor an animal, join, support, membership, volunteer

Caring, Connected, Communities: mental health and well-being at HWDT

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, so we thought we’d share our experience of working with the excellent Highlands & Islands Connections project, run by Support in Mind Scotland.

In the NewsAlison Lomax18 May 2020Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, Covid-19, Mental Health, Well-being, #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

The Space Below: HWDT acoustic recordings feature in an exciting new sound installation

Emma Critchley and Lee Berwick’s new installation, The Space Below explores the global issue of underwater acoustic pollution. Emma spoke to us about The Space Below and shares her experience creating the installation.

Science & Research, Events & OutreachAlison Lomax6 March 2020rspb Balranaldhebrides, volunteers, get involved, scotland, marine conservation

Celebrating what you helped us achieve in 2018

2018 marked our 24th year of operation. Our 2018 Annual Report is out now and celebrates what you have helped us to achieve.

FundraisingAlison Lomax12 October 2019supporters, annual report 2018

Spa days for Silurian

Our much loved research vessel, Silurian, received some mid-season maintenance, Bruce Crawford who joined the team to lend a helping hand tells us what they’ve been up to on board…

Alison Lomax14 July 2019

Public consultation opens on Marine Protected Areas for whales, dolphins and sharks

Today the Scottish Government has opened a public consultation seeking views on proposals for four new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). HWDT will be responding to the consultation and hope that all stakeholders will take the opportunity to voice their views, so that the best possible outcome can be reached for whales, dolphins, sharks and for coastal communities.

In the News, Science & ResearchAlison Lomax7 June 2019whales, dolphins, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, Scotland, Hebrides, cetaceans, marine protected areas, MPA, MPA proposals, minke whale, Basking shark

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