Research Summary
Hebrides, Scotland — This cluster of 550 scenic islands, covering an area of more than 40,000 square kilometers, is one of the most important habitats for whales, dolphins, and porpoises in Europe. Here the warm Gulf Stream mixes with colder seas to make highly productive waters, supporting 24 species of cetacean as well as countless seals, seabirds, and other ocean life. Many of the cetacean species found here, including harbour porpoise, bottlenose dolphin, and minke whale, are priority species for national and international conservation priorities. You will join researchers at the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust who are investigating the distribution and relative abundance of cetaceans throughout the waters of western Scotland to determine their use of habitat and identify particular areas of importance or "hotspots" to make recommendations for conservation, and investigate anthropogenic threats to the present marine mammals.
Meet the Scientists
Dr Jonathan Gordon
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Dr Gordon has been studying marine mammals since the early 1980’s and completed his PhD and much of his research on the behaviour of sperm whales (the largest of the toothed whales and a species that lives only in deep offshore waters). In the course of doing so, he was involved in developing methods for studying sperm whales and other cetaceans from modest motor sailors and using acoustic techniques to find, follow and assess the abundance of cetaceans, some of which are now being applied on the Trust’s boat Silurian. This emphasis on acoustics has also lead to a particular interest in and concern for the potential effects of underwater noise on marine mammals. Currently, Dr Gordon works part time for the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St. Andrews and also as a consultant. Dr Gordon will not normally be present on the Earthwatch teams but is in regular communication with Silurian and contributes significantly to project planning and operation
Olivia Harries
Olivia Harries is the newest member of our team having recently graduated from St Andrews University where she gained an MRes in Marine Mammal Science. Her interests lie within population biology and ecological and environmental modelling. Her Masters thesis analysed data collected from whale watching operations and assessed whether such platforms of opportunity could contribute to the data required for conservation and management. It was based in the Inner Hebrides and concerned harbour porpoise distributions and densities. She has conducted marine mammal based field work in Honduras, Central America; Plettenberg Bay, South Africa; Florida, USA and in Cardigan Bay, Wales which is her native country.