Dolphins:

Marine biologist sawuntapped potential

The Greyhope Bay project has been a passion of Ms McIntyre since she arrived in the Granite City eight years ago.

The marine biologist moved to the area to study after receiving a degree in zoology from Trinity College in Dublin.

She subsequently studied both a masters and doctorate in fisheries ecology at Aberdeen University.

She now spends most of her time working at the Marine Scotland laboratory on Victoria Road, Torry. It was here that she realised the “wonderful coastline” and marine wildlife the region boasts and the potential to make the area a globally renowned destination for dolphinwatching.

She said: “The fact we have dolphins visiting the area is fantastic and something that should be highlighted.

“In Ireland, we had one dolphin visit and we built a whole tourism industry around it.

“I think it’s something that we don’t highlight enough, we have got quite a unique setting here – there are two rivers and a wonderful coastline.

“If we are trying to boost tourism and understand what’s distinct about the northeast and Aberdeen, I firmly believe that marine life and ecology should be a part of that narrative and not just industry.

“It’s important that people do not just associate the area with oil and gas, we can tell both of these stories.”