Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust
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The Hebrides includes some 550 islands and covers a sea area of over 40,000km. 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 have been reported making the Hebrides one of the most important habitats for cetaceans in Europe.
The Mull Cetacean Project was set up in 1990. Over the years the project grew to encompass a wider area and more diverse range of issues and in 1994 the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust was established.
The Mull Cetacean Project was set up in 1990. Over the years the project grew to encompass a wider area and more diverse range of issues and in 1994 the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust was established.
Member since: 21 May 2007
How the minimum criteria of the 
responsible travel standard was met...
responsible travel standard was met...economic responsibility
- Whales and dolphins are Scotland's number one wildlife attraction and on the west coast of Scotland the direct economic income from whale-watching activities was estimated to be £1,767,971 per annum.
- Whale watching raises awareness of local marine wildlife and in rural areas it can provide as much as 12% of local income. Most people employed in the industry are local people (72.4%).
- Tourism is the largest employer on the Isle of Mull, and whale watching contributes a direct value of over £0.65million per year.
environmental responsibility
- 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.
- Large, charismatic mammals, such as whales and dolphins, command tremendous public interest and are an excellent way of generating public awareness of wider environmental issues.
- We also recycle all paper from office-based activities.
social responsibility
- 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.
- Our Marine Discovery Centre allows people 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.