What is WDCS doing?
Our vision is that the whales and dolphins of the Moray Firth, including the bottlenose dolphins, will survive and in due course thrive in a clean and safe environment.
We campaign for better protection, lobby decision-makers, support and conduct research, run education initiatives and bring the world of whales and dolphins alive to thousands through our visitor centres. Here’s a snapshot of our work:
- We fund the University of Aberdeen to study the Moray Firth dolphins (since 1993). Critical research which led to the designation of the dolphins’ Special Area of Conservation.
- We conduct our own surveys to find out about the habitat requirements of all the whale and dolphin species that make the Moray Firth their home.
- We support the Dolphin Space Programme, which works with boat operators in the Moray Firth to ensure guidelines are in place to protect the dolphins.
- We research the potential impacts of all threats, provide expert advice to governments, industries and work hard to effect real change for the animals.
- We conduct land-based dolphin watching and listening and enable visitors to see and hear the dolphins for themselves.
- We operate a schools activity programme in Scotland designed to enthuse and educate children about whales and dolphins.
- We run exhibitions and events at our Moray Firth visitor Centres to engage people in the world of whales and dolphins.