{"id":15047,"date":"2016-06-16T00:02:41","date_gmt":"2016-06-16T00:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/?p=15047"},"modified":"2016-06-15T10:07:05","modified_gmt":"2016-06-15T10:07:05","slug":"new-hebridean-whale-and-dolphin-centre-launched-on-isle-of-mull","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/new-hebridean-whale-and-dolphin-centre-launched-on-isle-of-mull\/","title":{"rendered":"New Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre launched on Isle of Mull"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new marine wildlife visitor centre has been launched in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull by conservation charity Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust \u2013 to strengthen conservation action for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and to develop the Hebrides\u2019 appeal as a wildlife tourism hotspot.<\/p>\n

The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre on Tobermory\u2019s picturesque harbour front was formally opened this month, and will be a learning, training and volunteering hub, as well as providing a major attraction for visitors, including families and children.<\/p>\n

The building\u2019s transformation has been funded as part of a grant of almost \u00a3220,000 from the UK Government\u2019s Coastal Communities Fund. The fully renovated and extended centre features information on sightings of cetaceans \u2013 the collective name for whales, dolphins and porpoises \u2013 interactive exhibitions, displays and a gift shop.<\/p>\n

\"HWDT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOur new centre aims to put Mull and the Hebrides even more firmly on the map as a key destination to enjoy and discover world-class marine biodiversity \u2013 which in turn will boost conservation, and could bring significant economic and social benefits to the region,\u201d said Alison Lomax, Director of Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.<\/p>\n

The centre was recently launched with a celebratory event attended by dozens of guests from across the UK, including conservationists, scientists, volunteers and local businesses.<\/p>\n

The trust\u2019s previous shop and visitor centre attracted 26,000 people in 2015 \u2013 a figure that Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust hopes will now rise significantly.<\/p>\n

With Western Scotland\u2019s seas being one of Europe\u2019s most important cetacean habitats, the charity believes that developing sustainable marine wildlife eco-tourism is a major opportunity, as demonstrated by the benefits of white-tailed eagles to the local economies of Mull and Skye.<\/p>\n

So far 24 of the world\u2019s estimated 92 cetacean species \u2013 including many national and international conservation priority species \u2013 have been recorded in the region, and fascinating new discoveries about these populations are constantly being discovered.<\/p>\n

The Coastal Communities Fund has also enabled the trust to carry out an innovative Sea Change project across the Hebrides over the past two years, to strengthen people\u2019s connections to the sea in remote island communities. This has involved engagement with thousands of people, through roadshows, community visits, liaison with wildlife tourism businesses, and dozens of events.<\/p>\n

Responsible whale watching, WiSe (Wildlife Safe) accredited, training has been provided for 23 tour boat operators, while local people have been able to develop skills through the trust\u2019s Community Sightings Network \u2013 through which people can report sightings of cetaceans, helping to map their distribution.<\/p>\n

Sea Change has been carried out on Mull<\/a>, Coll, Tiree and the Small Isles<\/a> (Eigg, Muck, Rum, Canna), Islay and Jura, Colonsay<\/a>, Barra<\/a>, Mallaig and Arisaig<\/a>, North and South Uist, Harris, Lewis<\/a>, Gairloch<\/a> and Skye<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Coastal Communities Fund has also funded a refurbishment of the trust\u2019s research yacht, Silurian, aboard which marine scientists and volunteers conduct surveys monitoring cetaceans each year. More than 90,000km of Hebridean seas have been surveyed and over 18,000 individual cetaceans recorded so far \u2013 significantly extending scientists\u2019 knowledge and understanding, and informing long-term conservation initiatives.<\/p>\n

Paying volunteers are being recruited for the trust\u2019s 2016 expeditions onboard Silurian, working alongside marine scientists. For details, email volunteercoordinator@hwdt.org<\/a>, call 01688 302620 or visit www.hwdt.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Coastal Communities Fund was created to direct regeneration investment to seaside towns and villages to help rebalance local economies, reduce unemployment and create work opportunities for local young people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A new marine wildlife visitor centre has been launched in Tobermory on the Isle of Mull by conservation charity Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust \u2013 to strengthen conservation action for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and to develop the Hebrides\u2019 appeal as a wildlife tourism hotspot. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Centre on Tobermory\u2019s picturesque harbour front was formally opened this month, and will be a learning, training and volunteering hub, as well as providing a major attraction for visitors, including families and children. The building\u2019s transformation has been funded as part of a grant of almost \u00a3220,000 from the UK…<\/span> <\/p>\n

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