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Dear All
The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust have some spaces remaining throughout the season for
research assistants on our boat-based research project. We also have
some last-minute spaces running April 15th-21st, and would like to offer
these at a 1/3 discount to MARMAM
members.
The project involves monitoring the waters of the
Hebrides with a view to understand the habitat preferences of
cetaceans in the area. We use a combination of visual and acoustic monitoring
methods - using standard protocol for visual surveys, towing
specialised hydrophones and recording images for photo identification.
The project is for 7 days and is entirely boat based on our 53ft yacht Silurian
- all training and accommodation is provided on board.
The coastal waters of southwest Scotland, warmed by
the north Atlantic drift are important and productive marine habitats. The
transition from southern warmer waters to northern cooler waters in this area is
reflected in the great diversity of marine species here, including a large
variety of cetaceans. Many of the cetacean species dwelling in this area are
considered to be of a conservation priority at a National, European and
International level (e.g. harbour porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, beaked whales
and baleen whales). In addition to these, the
seas of western Scotland are also inhabited by grey and common seals, basking
sharks and a number of sea birds including sea eagles, gannets, shearwaters,
petrels, cormorants, guillemots and puffins.
The HWDT team together with over
100 research assistants have spent the last 3 years surveying the Argyll waters,
investigating cetacean distribution, abundance and identifying hot spot areas
for further study. A summary of this survey - written in 2005 - can be
viewed on our website in the research pages. 2006 and 2007 will continue
this survey conducting further investigation into these hot spot
areas.
If you would like to
join us - either in April for a discounted price of
£300 for the 7 day research course - or later on in the season, or would
like to find out more about the project, then please contact me on [EMAIL PROTECTED] / 01688
302620 or look on our website at www.hwdt.org.
Fiona Quarmby
HWDT Volunteer Co-ordinator
28 Main Street Tobermory Isle of Mull ARGYLL PA75 6NU |
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