Research atlas reveals west coast as cetacean hotspot
The West Coast is a global hotspot for cetaceans and basking sharks, according to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust as it released a new marine atlas capturing key discoveries made over the past 15 years.
The first Hebridean Marine Mammal Atlas showcases findings by the charity’s scientists and citizen science volunteers during annual research expeditions on its specialised yacht Silurian.
The findings highlight the region’s extraordinary biodiversity and shed new light on its whales, dolphins and porpoises – collectively called cetaceans – and basking sharks.
‘This pioneering research is transforming our understanding of the Hebrides’ remarkable cetaceans, while offering new insights about trends and changes in the marine environment,’ said Dr Lauren HartnyMills, science and policy manager at HWDT, which is based on Mull.
The atlas also celebrates the contribution of more than 700 paying volunteers who have joined one of 200 research expeditions on Silurian.
So far, 23 cetacean species – a quarter of all known globally – have been recorded in the Hebrides. Since 2002, Silurian has travelled more than 100,000 kilometres – the equivalent of sailing two and a half times around the world – and 30,000 animals have been recorded.
Discoveries include the Hebrides being a vital feeding ground for minke whales and basking sharks, and that the region is one of the most important areas for harbour porpoise in Europe. The trust’s evidence was used to identify the boundary of Scotland’s first protected area for harbour porpoise, approved by the Scottish Government in 2016.
The research has also established that the Hebrides supports the UK’s only resident population of killer whales or orca – a group of eight individuals called the West Coast Community, which is likely to go extinct within a generation as no calves have been seen.
The trust is looking for volunteers to join them aboard Silurian for one to two weeks in 2019. Contact volunteer coordinator@hwdt.org, or call 01688 302620.