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2025 was a record-breaking year for the number of animals reported to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT). Over 100,000 individual whales, dolphins, porpoises and other marine megafauna were recorded by members of the public and reported via the Trust’s app, Whale Track - representing the highest annual total ever reported.
Read MoreAs the nights draw in and the winter chill starts to bite, we look back on an awesome autumn for sightings.
©Matthew Waterston
Read MoreThe 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 MoreFor the second-year running, we welcomed a number of wildlife tour providers and boat operators to our Whale Track Boat Operator Event, celebrating the contributions industry makes to marine science.
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 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 MoreThis summer has been full of ups, downs and phenomenal sightings. In our most recent Whale Track summary we round up what has been an unexpected summer of sightings.
©SeaLifeMull
Read MoreIn our latest blog, we dive into the importance of effort-based data collection. While all data is valuable, when it comes to how that data is collected, not all records are created equal. During the Wild Discovery ferry watching event, 18 hours of effort-based data was collected!
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 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 MoreThis spring has been hopping, with an action packed few months of sightings across Scotland. In our most recent blog we explore what has been reported this spring.
©Karen Munro
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…
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