Scotland’s seas are of international importance to marine life and in need of protection. The pressures faced by whales and dolphins globally are huge and the threat of extinction for some species is real. Studying cetaceans is notoriously difficult as they spend much of their lives submerged out of sight. Over the past 30 years, Whale Track volunteers have built an important long-term picture of whale movements in Scotland, providing valuable evidence on their distribution, health, and threats.

Whale Track is a growing sightings community consisting of tourism businesses, fishers, seafarers, wildlife groups and individuals. Underpinned by the Whale Track app, which is free to use and accessible to all, Whale Track volunteers play a crucial role in HWDT research. The data contributes to important scientific discoveries and generates the knowledge and evidence to protect whales and dolphins, restore our marine environment, and tackle the impacts of climate change.