CalMac and the Sea Watch Foundation help uncover marine life in the Clyde

CalMac is working with the Sea Watch Foundation as part of our Marine Awareness Programme to help build a picture of the marine wildlife inhabiting the waters of the Clyde.

The collaboration sees trained volunteers conducting regular marine mammal surveys onboard CalMac vessels, gathering vital data that supports the conservation and protection of some of the UK's most iconic marine species.

This year alone, 16 volunteer citizen scientists have completed 90 surveys across three CalMac routes, including 41 surveys on the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay service, 28 on the Troon to Brodick route and 21 on the Ardrossan to Brodick crossing.

The surveys recorded 608 individual animals across nine species, including bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, harbour porpoises, minke whales, humpback whales, grey seals, harbour seals, basking sharks and ocean sunfish.

The partnership forms part of CalMac's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and enhancing understanding of Scotland's rich marine environment.

The Sea Watch Foundation is the UK's longest-standing charity dedicated to monitoring whales, dolphins and porpoises around the British Isles. Through its network of volunteers and scientists, the charity gathers data that helps inform policymakers and supports the management of marine protected areas and other conservation measures.

Recent sightings of humpback whales in the Clyde have captured the imagination of local communities and visitors, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring to better understand how marine species use Scotland's coastal waters.

Nicola Hurrell, CalMac's Head of HSQE, said: "As a ferry operator, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to support the wellbeing of the marine environment on which our services depend. Our partnership with the Sea Watch Foundation allows us to contribute directly to important scientific research while raising awareness of the incredible wildlife that shares these waters with us every day.

"The information gathered through these surveys helps build a better understanding of species in the Clyde and contributes to efforts to protect them for future generations. We're proud to support the volunteers who give their time to this work and to play our part in monitoring and conserving Scotland's marine environment."

Sally Tapp, Scottish Officer for the Sea Watch Foundation, added: "The Clyde and greater Firth of Clyde represent a major gap in our knowledge of UK marine mammals, which are amongst the top three globally threatened marine species groups, yet still relatively little known due to the challenging nature of surveying and monitoring them at sea.

"Information on species present in the Clyde and the number of animals using the area is critical for identifying and managing marine protected areas and other area-based conservation measures. Long-term data collection is vital to investigate changes in species distribution and abundance and to assess future conservation implications in the Firth of Clyde.

"Our partnership with CalMac gives us the opportunity to easily collect valuable at-sea data all year round and galvanise local and national interest in the Clyde and all the wonderful marine life that we are lucky to have here on our doorstep. The presence of these beautiful humpback whales for the last 12 weeks has been a real treat for local residents and visitors all hoping to catch a glimpse of them every time they catch the ferry. It has been a very exciting year here in the Clyde and who knows what we will see next?"