Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Scotland, The Hebrides, Argyll and the Islands, Island of Mull
Ecosystem: Marine
Species: Whales and Dolphins
Significance: The Hebrides includes some 550 islands and covers a sea area of over 40,000km. An area of outstanding natural beauty, it has diverse land and seascapes and abundant wildlife. Due to complex tidal streams, varied topography and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, Hebridean waters are the most productive coastal area in the UK and contain a rich diversity of marine life. Nearly a third of the worlds species of whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans) have been reported from these waters from the occasional mighty blue whale to the tiny resident harbour porpoise – making the Hebrides one of the most important habitats for cetaceans in Europe. HWDT concentrates its efforts on the study of these cetaceans because such species are usually predators at the top of their respective food chains, so their well-being, or lack of it, provides an excellent indication of the health of the entire ecosystem on which they, and ultimately we, depend.
Description: Increasing use of our seas brings about a number of activities which can have harmful effects on these cetaceans: This year, over 1,400 whales will be slaughtered in the world's oceans by commercial and scientific whaling operations. Every year it is estimated that 300,000 cetaceans globally die from being caught up in fishing gear. Litter discarded in our oceans from a wide variety of sources: Fishing boats, merchant shipping, ferries, sewage related debris, recreational vessels, offshore installations and fish farms, all has a detrimental effect on our marine life. Ensnaring marine mammals, or becoming lodged in intestines preventing digestion leading to starvation. A range of chemicals find their way into the sea from the air, rivers, domestic waste, industrial discharges and run-off from the land. Many of these chemicals have properties that are harmful to cetaceans.
Start Date: 9/1/2005
End Date: 1/1/2099
Course of action: - Awareness raising of the need to conserve our seas and the life within. - Education of local children i.e. those most likely to make a future living from the seas. - Monitoring of marine mammals, marine litter and marine noise pollution. - Clearing up our beaches. - Working towards better marine legislation. - Helping create marine mammal watching guidelines. - Promoting sustainable marine tourism. - And much more
Full Time Workers: 7
Volunteer Workers: 60
Valued Skills: We have many different projects throughout the year, each requiring a different length of commitment and skill level. Our projects are for anyone over the age of 18 who is fluent in spoken and written English. There are projects to suit a range of volunteers, including those with skills in education, marketing, computers, administration, art & design, etc. as well as those with background knowledge of the marine environment and biological sciences.
Achievements: To name but a few: - cleaner beaches on and around Mull - visiting all 12 Argyll islands and their primary schools. Carrying out regular education workshops - Scientific papers published on: Photo identification of minke whales Sustainability of marine tourism and whale watching potential impacts of military activities on cetaceans marine environmental awareness Threats to cetaceans, including papers on: Sewage pollution, noise pollution, bycatch in fisheries, oil spills, marine debris
Goals: By increasing our knowledge about whales, dolphins and porpoises and their environment and passing that on to others, HWDT will be in a strong position to protect the animals from these and other threats which have proved so devastating elsewhere. Restoring our seas to their full potential.
Sponsors: HWDT is funded by: Heritage Lottery Fund & Nadair, Scottish Natural Heritage, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise, WWF, WHELK Leader+, Charity Bank, Forward Scotland, Argyll and Bute Council, Locharber Enterprise, Argyll and the Islands Community Economic Development Program.
References: Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust website:
www.hwdt.org
Other Information: As a charity we are unable to provide financial help with travel or accommodation. Projects which include accommodation (the Marine Outreach Projects and the Ardnamurchan Project) carry a project cost to cover this. Others which are based in Tobermory require you to find and book your own accommodation. Please have a look at our website for details relating to each project.
