Whale and Dolphin Conservation works to protect cetaceans around the globe. The charities main aims and objectives are to end captivity, stop whaling, to create healthy seas and to prevent deaths in nets.

The Shorewatch citizen science project is a network of volunteers trained and supported by WDC to carry out regular 10-minute surveys from Shorewatch sites across Scotland. We know that Scotland is home to a number of whale and dolphin species, yet there are still so many unanswered questions about where they breed, feed and travel. We believe it is important to keep eyes on the sea so we can better understand these amazing creatures to better protect them. Understanding their movements will allow us to comprehend how our behaviours affect whales and dolphins. We can use the data we gather to influence policy makers and advise developers to ensure better protection for whales and dolphins. Shorewatch relies on our amazing community volunteers to collect this vital data.

Objectives of Shorewatch
• Bring marine conservation expertise to local communities through attending local events, informing campaigns and supporting volunteers.
• Engage local people in the process of protecting and conserving the marine environment and the wellbeing of local whales and dolphins.
• Inform conservationally minded marine planning by identifying specific seasons or locations of importance to suggest when development will have the least impact.
• Contribute to the designation of MPAs by providing data to government as they search for key areas of importance.
• Support monitoring of MPAs by collecting a long term data set which will show changes in the presence and absence of whales at key sites over time.