WDC whale saving project shortlisted Scottish nature award
Our breakthrough, collaborative project with fishers in Scotland that is set to save many whales has been nominated for the Nature of Scotland Awards at a reception held at the Scottish Parliament.
The Awards recognise individuals and organisations making a difference across local communities, schools, and businesses to support Scotland’s wildlife and natural environment.
This exciting project led by WDC and funded by the Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund managed by NatureScot and Jingle Jam, trialed the use of specially designed, low-cost 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 in Scottish waters. However, if there are no large floating rope loops, then whales and sharks cannot become entangled in them.
Award winners will be revealed at a celebratory event held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on the 28 November.