Whales & Wine - protecting whales in scotland

Join us for an evening of talks from Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust, Scottish Entanglement Alliance, University of Glasgow, and Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme.

When: 7pm Thursday 23rd October

Where: An Tobar, Tobermory, Isle of MUll

Join the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT), the Scottish Entanglement Alliance (SEA), the University of Glasgow, and the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) to learn more about Scottish whales, the threats they face, and learn about the meaningful action we can take to protect them. We invite you to join the discussion over a glass of wine.

Scotland is an area of extraordinary marine biodivisity, and our coastal waters are a vital region for whales and dolphins. However, these species need protection. The climate emergency and biodiversity crisis demands urgent action. Whales and dolphins face huge global pressures and the threat of extinction for some species is real.

This evening brings together some of Scotland's top whale experts, representing leading marine conservation organisations, and sharing key research on the health of our seas.

Dr Lauren Hartny-Mills will share findings from HWDT's long-term monitoring proragmmes, our Silurian surveys and Whale Track our community sightings network. Lauren will focus on minke whale populations, and look at the mangement measures needed to protect their feeding grounds here in the Hebrides.

Ellie MacLennan will discuss the history of entanglement research in our waters, including some recent cases, and how SEA is engaging with, and supporting the Scottish creel fishing community to develop sustainable, proportional industry-led mitigation strategies to reduce entanglement risk.

Dr Anna McGregor will explain the importance of understanding how water movements influence both food for marine mammals, why protecting and restoring other key coastal habitats is essential to maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems that can support both people, and whales and dolphins. Using examples from both shellfish and seaweed, she will talk about positive work underway to improve education and policy and stimulate potential possibilities for economic growth in coastal areas.

Mariel ten Doeschate will share what has been learnt from strandings data around Scotland, and champion the Beach Track app, which allows everyone to help SMASS collect data, and contribute to one of the world's largest and most extensive datasets on marine strandings and beach health.

Whales & Wine is an opportunity to learn about some of the incredible conservation work happening right here in Scotland, and we invite you to ask questions, share your experiences and get involved. All with a complementary glass of wine on arrival!

Tickets for Whales & Wine are available on a pay what you can donation basis, please give generously as your support will help marine conservation here in Scotland. Tickets are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment.