Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust policy
Aims
‘The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust is dedicated to the conservation of Scotland’s Whales, Dolphins & Porpoises and the Hebridean marine environment through education, research and working within the Hebridean communities.’
HWDT undertakes a wide range of research activities focusing largely on the common species such as harbour porpoise, minke whale, bottlenose dolphin and basking sharks. We utilise many survey platforms including HWDT’s research vessel, Silurian, RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats), ferries and also land based sites.
Another of HWDT’s areas of work is the promotion of the sustainable use of the marine environment. In the past, mans uses of large oceanic species have often been exploitative (e.g. whaling and shark finning). We are now seeing a growing interest in wildlife tourism globally and the diverse range of Scottish habitats and species here make Scotland one of the prime nature destinations in Europe.
The ultimate aim of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is to ensure that cetacean populations of the west coast of Scotland are conserved into future generations.
Economic responsibility
Scotland's tourism trade grosses £2.5 billion annually and supports 180,000 jobs.
Whale-watching is an important part of this activity. Whales and dolphins are highlighted as the country's number one wildlife attraction and an estimated quarter of million tourists were involved with whale-tourism activities annually in West Scotland. With 11,770 km of coastline the potential for the Scottish marine tourism industry is huge. On the west coast of Scotland the direct economic income from whale-watching activities was estimated to be £1,767,971 per annum. The associated expenditure (accommodation, travel, food, etc . . .) from tourists visiting the region to specifically go whale-watching represents an additional £5.1 million in tourism income for West Scotland. In addition, 16% of whale-watching tourists stayed in the region extra nights as a result of whale-watching, which represents a further £0.9 million in additional tourism income.
The total income therefore generated by whale-tourism in rural West Scotland was estimated to be £7.8 million.
Not only does whale watching contribute to the national economy but it also has important implications for the small rural communities in terms of employment and raising the awareness of local marine wildlife. In rural areas it can provide as much as 12% of local income. From a survey of marine operators it was found that most people employed in the industry are local people (72.4%), and most outfits are small businesses supporting five or less full-time equivalent jobs (86.4%). In West Scotland, 115 jobs are provided by whale-watching tourism and 47% of whale-watching operators considered the industry to be important to the local economy.
On Mull, the tourism industry is the largest employer on the Isle of Mull, and whale watching is a key component of this sector, contributing a direct value of over £0.65million per year.
Environmental responsibility
HWDT concentrates its efforts on the study of these marine mammals 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.
Large, charismatic mammals, from elephants and gorillas to whales and dolphins, command tremendous public interest and are consequently an excellent way of generating public awareness of, and concern about, wider environmental issues. Whales and dolphins around the world are under threat. Marine pollution, oil exploration & drilling, over-fishing, drowning in nets, whaling and uncontrolled tourism are just some of the dangers.
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.
We also recycle all paper from office-based activities.
Social responsibility
The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust aims to generate a wider understanding of the ecology of the marine and coastal environments of the Hebrides, particularly those of the Argyll islands. By raising public awareness through education we hope to help safeguard these marine environments and maintain their biodiversity. This should also ensure that this area is preserved for future generations of Hebridean residents and visitors.
Our “floating classroom” the 60 foot yatch Silurian is designed to travel to schools and groups in the Argyll area and let children and adults come on board to experience life on a research vessel and participate in workshops specially designed to cater for each particular group.
We also provide on shore workshops and talks with boat or without the boat. We organise excursions outside the classroom along the shore or into the woods where we can cover a range of related topics. In Tobermory we have our Marine Discovery Centre where anyone is welcome to come in at any time to find out more about the marine environment and the cetaceans which live around the Hebrides.
We also help arrange and participate in Beach Cleans around the coast of Mull. This enables the community to get together and help improve the environment at the same time.
‘The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust is dedicated to the conservation of Scotland’s Whales, Dolphins & Porpoises and the Hebridean marine environment through education, research and working within the Hebridean communities.’
HWDT undertakes a wide range of research activities focusing largely on the common species such as harbour porpoise, minke whale, bottlenose dolphin and basking sharks. We utilise many survey platforms including HWDT’s research vessel, Silurian, RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats), ferries and also land based sites.
Another of HWDT’s areas of work is the promotion of the sustainable use of the marine environment. In the past, mans uses of large oceanic species have often been exploitative (e.g. whaling and shark finning). We are now seeing a growing interest in wildlife tourism globally and the diverse range of Scottish habitats and species here make Scotland one of the prime nature destinations in Europe.
The ultimate aim of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) is to ensure that cetacean populations of the west coast of Scotland are conserved into future generations.
Economic responsibility
Scotland's tourism trade grosses £2.5 billion annually and supports 180,000 jobs.
Whale-watching is an important part of this activity. Whales and dolphins are highlighted as the country's number one wildlife attraction and an estimated quarter of million tourists were involved with whale-tourism activities annually in West Scotland. With 11,770 km of coastline the potential for the Scottish marine tourism industry is huge. On the west coast of Scotland the direct economic income from whale-watching activities was estimated to be £1,767,971 per annum. The associated expenditure (accommodation, travel, food, etc . . .) from tourists visiting the region to specifically go whale-watching represents an additional £5.1 million in tourism income for West Scotland. In addition, 16% of whale-watching tourists stayed in the region extra nights as a result of whale-watching, which represents a further £0.9 million in additional tourism income.
The total income therefore generated by whale-tourism in rural West Scotland was estimated to be £7.8 million.
Not only does whale watching contribute to the national economy but it also has important implications for the small rural communities in terms of employment and raising the awareness of local marine wildlife. In rural areas it can provide as much as 12% of local income. From a survey of marine operators it was found that most people employed in the industry are local people (72.4%), and most outfits are small businesses supporting five or less full-time equivalent jobs (86.4%). In West Scotland, 115 jobs are provided by whale-watching tourism and 47% of whale-watching operators considered the industry to be important to the local economy.
On Mull, the tourism industry is the largest employer on the Isle of Mull, and whale watching is a key component of this sector, contributing a direct value of over £0.65million per year.
Environmental responsibility
HWDT concentrates its efforts on the study of these marine mammals 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.
Large, charismatic mammals, from elephants and gorillas to whales and dolphins, command tremendous public interest and are consequently an excellent way of generating public awareness of, and concern about, wider environmental issues. Whales and dolphins around the world are under threat. Marine pollution, oil exploration & drilling, over-fishing, drowning in nets, whaling and uncontrolled tourism are just some of the dangers.
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.
We also recycle all paper from office-based activities.
Social responsibility
The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust aims to generate a wider understanding of the ecology of the marine and coastal environments of the Hebrides, particularly those of the Argyll islands. By raising public awareness through education we hope to help safeguard these marine environments and maintain their biodiversity. This should also ensure that this area is preserved for future generations of Hebridean residents and visitors.
Our “floating classroom” the 60 foot yatch Silurian is designed to travel to schools and groups in the Argyll area and let children and adults come on board to experience life on a research vessel and participate in workshops specially designed to cater for each particular group.
We also provide on shore workshops and talks with boat or without the boat. We organise excursions outside the classroom along the shore or into the woods where we can cover a range of related topics. In Tobermory we have our Marine Discovery Centre where anyone is welcome to come in at any time to find out more about the marine environment and the cetaceans which live around the Hebrides.
We also help arrange and participate in Beach Cleans around the coast of Mull. This enables the community to get together and help improve the environment at the same time.