Tag: Whale and Dolphin Conservation

Scottish fishers successfully trial innovative fishing gear to prevent whale entanglement in ropes

A breakthrough collaborative project with creel fishers has successfully trialled a simple and relatively low-cost solution to the problem of whale entanglement that could be rolled out internationally saving many whales and sharks.

The project led by marine charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC),and funded by the Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund managed by NatureScot, trialled the use of specially designed rope in Scottish pot fisheries that sinks rather than floats.

The rope currently used in the fishery is buoyant and forms floating loops in the water rather than lying on the seabed.

These loops can be several metres high and have been found to entangle whales and other marine animals such as basking sharks. Previous studies had found the majority of whales and basking sharks entangled in static fishing gear (pots, or creels as they are known in Scottish fisheries) are caught in this floating groundline rope linking a line of creels together.

It is estimated that an average of 6 humpback whales, 30 minke whales, and 29 basking sharks become entangled annually.

Where entanglement type was known, 83% of minke and 50% of humpback whales, and 76% of basking sharks were caught in groundlines between creels. If there are no large floating rope loops, then whales and sharks cannot become entangled in them.

Over a period of 18 months 15 fishing vessels targeting langoustine and crabs from the Inner Sound and Sound of Sleat area east of the Isle of Skye replaced floating rope in their creel groundlines with sinking rope to assess whether there were any problems with using it. Fishers reported back each time they hauled their gear, and details of over 1500 hauls were logged in the trial.

Trials were needed to determine whether it was practical for fishers to use this sinking rope. Problems which were anticipated such as snagging, or being difficult to handle were very rare.

The fishers involved in the trial reported positive experiences with using the rope, and there were no impacts on the seabed. 

Susannah Calderan, who managed the project for WDC, said; ‘The Scottish inshore creel fishery plays an important economic and community role in rural coastal areas in Scotland. Resolving the issue of entangling whales would be a major step forward in fisheries management as well as animal conservation and welfare.

‘It’s been great working with the Inner Sound fishers on this project, and we have an almost-unique opportunity to make a real impact on whale bycatch. We now have to move to the next step, which is consulting with other fishers around Scotland and with the Government to understand the possible options for implementing sinking rope more widely.’

Sinking groundline represents a simple, relatively low-cost option to greatly reduce entanglement risk.

The very successful, bottom-up, partnership approach with Scottish creel fishers and the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation (SCFF) demonstrated the importance of collaborative approaches to address complex conservation and management issues. Its implications are key to supporting the Scottish Government’s commitment to reduce incidental bycatch in fisheries.

Bally Philp from SCFF, who participated in this trial, said ‘This trial has shown there can be win-win outcomes for both fishermen and marine life, and we’re all working together to achieve this’.

Volunteers clock up 1 million minutes looking for whales and dolphins

Major milestone for community citizen science project helping marine life in Scottish waters 

Members of the public who have committed to helping to save whales and dolphins have clocked up a massive one million minutes-worth of voluntary watches in Scotland whilst taking part in a citizen science data collection project. 

The 100,000 individual 10 minute watches have highlighted the amazing number of different whales and dolphins that visit or inhabit the seas around Scotland. Over 19 years, 30,000 whales or dolphins have been sighted, and 18 different species. The five most commonly seen are bottlenose, common and Risso’s dolphins, harbour porpoises and minke whales. 

Other species seen each year include orca, fin and humpback whale, white-beaked dolphin and white-sided dolphin. Some of the more unusual sightings have included deep diving Cuvier’s, Sowerby’s and sperm whales, Sei whale, and the most exciting (18th species) sighted this year- a beluga whale normally found in the high Arctic. 

The 1000+ strong community of local people involved have been taking part in marine charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation’s Shorewatch programme, which monitors at risk species of whale, dolphin and harbour porpoise across Scotland.

Members of the public are encouraged to train as volunteers to identify and scientifically record the movements of legally protected species from coastal lookout points, collecting vital data about where they breed, feed and travel. 

This data then helps with efforts to ensure better protection for whales and dolphins by informing marine conservation planning, influencing policy and development decisions.

In the past, Shorewatch data has helped create marine protected areas in the seas around Scotland, including in North East Lewis, supported the identification and designation of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) off the Scottish coast, and fed into research and conservation efforts to better understand a range of human pressures including from shipping and fishing activities.

The volunteers have also helped to monitor and report the growing threat posed by disturbance. As more people are visiting the coast and enjoying taking to the water, the potential of harm to whales and dolphins from recreational water-based activities is growing, especially at peak holiday times. 

Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) has been working to raise awareness of and reduce this threat, providing advice to members of the public on what not to do when in the water near whales, dolphins and porpoises, and what signs to look out for if they are disturbed. 

‘Effort from the public has been remarkable and hugely valuable’, Emma Steel, Shorewatch coordinator said.

‘But it’s not just about the data – it’s the power of the people. Shorewatch volunteers contribute far more to WDC than their 10-minute surveys, writing to their MSP/MP, attending local protests, writing to foreign governments about cruel whale hunting… the list goes on.’  

As well as helping protect whales and dolphins, Shorewatch has brought many other benefits for those members of the public taking part over the years, whether it be personal wellbeing or quality family time together. 

David Jones, one off the army of Shorewatch volunteers said: ‘I started doing Shorewatch with my daughter – is a great way to spend some quality time with her especially as she is now reaching the mid teenage years and Dad is usually not so popular!

“I still get a great feeling inside when I hear the excitement in her voice when she sees a dolphin or whale, it makes it all so worthwhile.’ 

‘It is like therapy for me, one of the only ways that I feel relaxed and sitting still at the same time’, says Shorewatcher Ronnie Mackie.  

‘As well as the excitement of seeing incredible cetacean species, it is very rewarding to be able to share your enthusiasm with passers-by. So many people regularly stop to chat and enquire about what I am seeing … a whole new social life!’ 

‘It was hard to rid the anxiety brought on by the pandemic. Getting back to socialising is important and this Shorewatch social has been part of my recovery’, says volunteer Cathy Mullins.