Posts in Science & Research

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

Minke whale entangled off Mull coast

On Thursday 6th July, the HWDT team received reports of a deceased minke whale floating just off the coast of Mull. SMASS have confirmed that this female minke most likely died due to entanglement in a rope around her tail.

In the News, Sightings, Science & ResearchAlison Lomax14 July 2017minke whale, SMASS, stranding, entanglement, Mull, conservation

'Shocking' levels of PCB chemicals in UK killer whale Lulu

Lulu, a member of the West Coast Community killer whales, found dead and stranded on Tiree in Janaury last year, had one of the highest levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) pollution ever recorded in the species. High PCB levels are linked to poor health, impaired immune function, increased susceptibility to cancers and infertility.

In the News, Science & Research, SightingsLauren Hartny-Mills2 May 2017conservation, killer whale, PCBs, pollution, West Coast Community, Orca

HWDT welcomes UK porpoise protection

A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for the harbour porpoise has been designated in the Hebrides - giving increased protection to the UKs smallest cetacean. The Inner Hebrides and Minches SAC is located in the heart of HWDTs study area and covers an area more than 13,800km².

In the News, Science & ResearchAlison Lomax26 September 2016porpoise, MPA, marine protected areas, conservation, citizen science, survey, SAC, Special Area of Conservation

News & Social Feeds