We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the Viking Community Fund (Shetland Community Benefit Fund) to deliver an exciting two-year whale and dolphin monitoring programme around Shetland between 2026 and 2028. We will undertake two dedicated marine mammal photo-identification surveys every month, gathering valuable information on the whales and dolphins that visit Shetland’s internationally important waters. The surveys will help improve understanding of the distribution, movements, and long-term population trends of local cetacean species, providing essential evidence to support future conservation and management efforts.
We are pleased to invite local volunteers and community groups to join boat-based survey trips, where volunteers can work alongside experienced researchers to learn how marine mammal surveys are conducted and how photo-identification techniques are used to recognise individual animals from natural markings on their fins and bodies. Participants will gain hands-on experience spotting, identifying, and recording whales and dolphins at sea, while directly contributing to ongoing scientific research. We hope the initiative will inspire and upskill those that get involved, strengthening connections between Shetland’s communities and the rich marine environment on their doorstep.
We would encourage involvement from local community groups, schools, or interested individuals. Please do not hestiate to get in touch!
ESSENTIAL
A desire and interest to learn marine mammal photo-ID survey methodology
Comfortable being on a boat at sea for up to 6 hrs
No medical conditions that may affect you for a day at sea (inc. low likelihood of seasickness)
Ability to work well in a small team
Interest in contributing with no expectations (this is not a wildlife watching trip, we cannot guarantee sightings, there may be many surveys without sightings)
Flexibility – surveys will be organised fairly last minute (based on weather conditions) and may also be cancelled at very short notice
DESIRABLE
Experience spotting marine mammals and/or with survey data collection
Experience taking photographs of wildlife
Experience on vessels at sea, including sea survival qualifications
Outdoor wet weather gear can be provided - please let us know in advance if you would like to borrow kit.
If you are interested in getting involved, please reach out via the Contact Us page
Between March 2026 and March 2028, the marine mammal surveys around Shetland are funded by the Shetland Community Benefit Fund and Viking Community Fund (from Viking Energy). This fund has enabled us to support survey costs, new kit requirements, funding for public engagement and outreach materials, and the associoated costs related to involving the Shetland community in our work.
Staff time throughout is supported by the BLUE CONNECT project, which is funded by the European Union, under the Horizon Ocean Mission funding (HORIZON-MISS-2023OCEAN-01).
All images are credited to UHI Shetland, except the 1st and 2nd survey photo Bernard Siddle
Banner Image Credit Emily Hague (UHI Shetland)
Survey Team Image Credits First and Third photo: Bernard Siddle, Second photo: Emily Hague, Fourth and Fifth photo: Jolanda Jansen