Posts in Science & Research

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

Creel fishermen, rescue teams and researchers team up to tackle entanglement

Working together is the only way to deliver results! The west coast of Scotland played host to the first workshop of this kind in Europe, bringing together creel fishers and other members of the Scottish Entanglement Alliance (SEA) to work together to try and tackle the problem of whale entanglement.

Science & Research, In the NewsLauren Hartny-Mills30 October 2019creel, creel fishing, disentanglement, entanglement, Scottish Entanglement Alliance, BDMLR, SMASS, SCFF, WDC, SNH, David Mattila

Dolphin detective work makes a match!

Citizen science is key to better understanding mobile species like bottlenose dolphins. Rian Harris, our Education and Photo-ID Volunteer, has been undertaking some dolphin detective work to uncover the movements of some of the Inner Hebrides community.

Science & Research, SightingsLauren Hartny-Mills14 August 2019bottlenose dolphins, sightings, whale track, Tobermory, photo ID, citizen science

*PRESS RELEASE* Mystery killer whale pod investigated off Scotland’s west coast

The identity of a group of nine killer whales off Scotland’s west coast, encountered during the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s annual marine research expeditions last year, remains a mystery, despite extensive research and a flurry of sightings of killer whales in the Hebrides over recent weeks.

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

HWDT completes first winter survey in Hebridean seas

For the first time in HWDT’s history, Silurian, our research yacht has started conducting surveys during the winter months.

Cuvier’s beaked whale live strands on Mull

Read the latest updates from the Cuvier’s beaked whale stranding on Mull over Hogmanay.

Science & Research, SightingsMorven Summers25 January 2019stranding, cuviers, beaked whale, SMASS, BDMLR, HWDT

Scotland's Seas: Drowning in Plastic?

Here on the West Coast of Scotland, we're also seeing first-hand the devastating effects of our marine life. In 2015, our crew had a distressing encounter with a minke whale where it’s rostrum was caught in a plastic packing strap. Read more below about what we have done to help tackle the plastic problem, and how you can get involved with our work.

Science & ResearchMorven Summers2 October 2018Liz Bonnin, Drowning In Plastic, Plastic, Entanglement, Scottish Entanglement Alliance, whales, dolphins, plastic, plastic pollution, pollution, volunteer now, act now, anti plasticComment

Threat to UK Killer Whales Prompts Call for Urgent Government Action

New research published today in the journal Science, led by Aarhus University in Denmark, predicts more than half of the world’s killer whale (orca) populations face collapse due to the effects of invisible toxic pollutants called PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).

HWDT Announce Official Gaelic Name

Following a consultation led by recently-appointed Gaelic Development Intern Kenny Rankin, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust has adopted an official Gaelic name, part of an exciting step towards incorporating Gaelic into the Trust’s work at every level.

Science & Research, Events & OutreachCaroline Willis3 September 2018Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, HWDT, Scotland, Gaelic

Consultation Response to the Wild Seaweed Harvesting Scoping Report by Marine Biopolymers Ltd

Consultation Response to the Wild Seaweed Harvesting Scoping Report by Marine Biopolymers Ltd.

Science & ResearchMorven Summers27 August 2018consultation response, kelp dredging, seaweed dredging, consultation response to the wild seaweed harvesting scoping report by marine biopolymers, biopolymers, Scottish Environment LINJ, Scottish Environment LINK, whales, dolphins, report, basking sharks

HWDT Welcomes New Marine Biodiversity Officer Ahead of Season

HWDT welcomes new Marine Biodiversity Officer ahead of season launch.

Science & ResearchMorven Summers5 April 2018HWDT, HWDT staff, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, marine wildlife, marine conservation, Silurian, bottlenose dolphins, Hebrides, Sea Life Surveys

CalMac Ferries launch new Marine Awareness Programme

This week HWDT joined with other environmental organisations at an event to launch of the CalMac Marine Awareness Programme.

Science & Research, Events & OutreachAlison Lomax30 March 2018orca, whales, dolphins, CalMac, ferries, Scotland, HWDT, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, Hebrides, Scotlan, Visit Scotland

HWDT in Partnership with CuanTec’s Anti-Plastic Campaign

HWDT are delighted to announce that over the next few weeks, we have partnered with CuanTec, a biotechnology company based in Scotland, in a crowdfunding campaign to fight plastic pollution.

Science & Research, FundraisingMorven Summers9 March 2018plastic, anitplastic, Our Blue Planet, stop the plastic tide, whales, dolphins, innovation, business, green business, sustainability, HWDT, marine conservation, conservation, Act Now

We Need You: a call for volunteers aboard Silurian's Joint Warrior Survey

Despite the snowy skies and blustery winds, it’s not long now until Spring, and that can only mean one thing here at HWDT, and that’s the start of our survey season. We’re incredibly excited this year for our early season Joint Warrior survey, which has been successfully running since 2009.

*PRESS RELEASE* Record numbers of common dolphin sightings off Scotland’s west coast

Sightings of common dolphins across the Hebrides have reached a new record high according to research conducted by marine conservation charity, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.

Silurian, In the News, Sightings, Science & ResearchMorven Summers27 February 2018Silurian, volunteer, volunteer holidays, gain experience, get involved, visitor attractions, common dolphin, dolphins, whales, HWDT, Hebrides Comment

Scottish Government Agree to Support Four Marine Protected Areas in Scotland for Whales, Dolphins and Sharks

This week HWDT were delighted to hear that the Scottish Government will be providing the funding needed to take four proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Scottish waters to public consultation. This has followed HWDT working closely with conservation partners through Scottish Environment LINK to call for the Government to progress these sites.

In the News, Science & ResearchMorven Summers2 February 2018MPA, minke whale, basking shark, Scotland, Hebrides, Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, whale track, dolphins, Scottish Government, Act Now, marine conservation, marine protected areas

Become a #BluePlanetChampion with HWDT

Following last week’s poignant final episode of Blue Planet II, the #BluePlanetChampion pledge has taken the internet by storm, rousing organisations and individuals alike to call on the UK Governments to take action.

HWDT become Commercial Drone Operators

Through generous donations from NATS and Maplin, HWDT have become Commercial Drone Operators and look ahead to utilising our drone to improve our conservation efforts.

Science & Research, SilurianMorven Summers23 September 2017drone, NATS, Maplin, conservation, technology

West Coast Community killer whales on the BBC One Show

You might have heard us mentioned on the BBC One Show last night and part two is due to air tonight (13th September). Here is a little bit more information about the West Coast Community and the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trusts (HWDT) research on this fascinating group of animals.

Science & Research, SightingsLauren Hartny-Mills13 September 2017citizen science, one show, orca, West Coast Community, bbc one show, killer whale, lulu, PCBs

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