SEALIFE SPOTTING FROM THE SHORES

Record numbers of volunteers took part in research expeditions organised by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust last year, helping to launch a new year-round programme of monitoring marine mammals and basking sharks in the Hebrides. The charity carried out marine surveys from its specialised research yacht Silurian during the winter months – with crucial data now being collected every month of the year. Scotland’s west coast seas are globally important habitats for cetaceans – the collective name for whales, dolphins and porpoise – plus the endangered basking shark. www.hwdt.org