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The Scottish Government has announced further delays to the long-awaited consultation on inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and Priority Marine Features (PMF) fisheries management measures, postponing it until after the 2026 Scottish Parliament Elections.
Read MoreWe recently welcomed six local Mull and Ardnamurchan residents aboard Silurian for a winter research expedition. Our aim was to collect much-needed data at a time of year when historically, far lower survey effort has been carried out than the summer season.
Read MoreThis Autumn, we piloted a new opportunity - inviting young ambassadors from RSPB Youth Council, Marine Conservation Society and Young Sea Changers Scotland to join us aboard, learn about the role HWDT plays in marine conservation, connect and share an inspiring experience exploring Hebridean waters.
Read MoreScotland’s seas are internationally important, with 24 species of whale, dolphin, and porpoise (collectively known as cetaceans) recorded in our waters. But who are the organisations responsible for managing Scotland’s seas, and how do they ensure that the marine environment is protected for nature and people?
Read MoreOur expedition surveys on board our research vessel, Silurian, have been monitoring Scotland’s seas for over two decades. This long-term monitoring is critical, driving protections to restore marine biodiversity and championing healthy seas for nature and communities.
Read MoreOver six days at sea, our intrepid team of citizen scientists surveyed waters around Mull and the Southern Hebrides following Storm Amy. Despite challenging conditions, our team surveyed over 400km of Hebridean waters encountering four species of marine mammal. Read all about their experiences here. . .
Read MoreOur latest research expedition aboard Silurian took us from Ullapool back and forth across the Minch. Over the course of the week, our team of citizen scientists documented five different marine mammal species, including Atlantic white sided dolphins - a rare sighting for Silurian!
Read MoreOver five days at sea, our intrepid team of citizen scientists surveyed waters around Ullapool through storms and swell, gathering vital visual and acoustic data. Read all about their experiences here. . .
Read MoreScotland’s seas are home to some of Europe’s most incredible wildlife, but understanding highly mobile species like whales and dolphins is challenging and there’s still much to learn.
Read MoreOur popular floating classroom school visits provide primary school children the opportunity to jump aboard our research vessel, Silurian, experiencing what it’s like to live and work as a marine mammal scientist.
Read MoreWe are thrilled to share that the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s (HWDT) pioneering research expeditions have been shortlisted for the Nature Tourism Award at the prestigious RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards 2025.
Read MoreOver nine days at sea, our intrepid team of citizen scientists explored west of the Outer Hebrides, gathering vital acoustic and visual data in rarely surveyed areas. Living and working aboard Silurian, our dedicated research vessel, the team encountered six species of marine megafauna, as well as reaching the most North-Westerly waters of the season. Read all about their experiences here…
Read MoreWith storm Floris in their sights, the teens on our second teen team of the year, braved the wild waves to survey the Inner Hebrides.
Read MoreSix inquisitive teens joined us aboard our research vessel, Silurian, to explore the Sea of the Hebrides, gathering visual and acoustic data.
Read MoreA project is underway to investigate what whales are eating off Scotland’s west coast by examining the make-up of their poop! We are delighted to be part of the team collecting samples, armed and ready to scoop from the deck of our research vessel, Silurian.
Read MoreOver twelve days at sea, our intrepid team of citizen scientists surveyed 700 km of Scottish waters, exploring the Southern and Outer Hebrides. Living and working aboard Silurian, HWDT’s dedicated research vessel, the team encountered 8 species of large marine vertebrates, including our first basking sharks of the year. Read all about their experiences here…
Read MoreOver twelve days at sea, our intrepid team of citizen scientists surveyed 590km of Hebridean waters. Living and working aboard Silurian, HWDT’s dedicated research vessel, the team were rewarded with a moment to remember. Amongst a multi-species feeding frenzy, the first humpback whale of the season made a spectacular appearance.
Read MoreOver nine days, the team aboard Silurian, HWDT’s dedicated research vessel, surveyed over 550km of Hebridean seas, collecting vital visual and acoustic data. One for the record books, citizen scientists had an unforgettable display of Scotland’s marine megafauna. Read all about their experiences here…
Read MoreFrom stormy seas to BBQ’s on the beach, our teams of students from St Andrew’s University Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) embraced the elements to have a truly memorable time aboard our research vessel, Silurian.
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