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Our research into Risso's dolphins spans multiple themes, including conducting vessel-based photo-ID surveys, collating imagery to update the photo-ID catalogue, and providing opportunities to local communities to get involved and learn new skills. Read more below;
Vessel-based Surveys
Vessel-based Surveys
Since September 2025, we have been conducting vessel-based surveys around Shetland, with the aim of collecting photo-ID data on marine mammals, especially Risso's dolphins. Many marine mammals can be identified by their unique dorsal fin shape, markings and scarring - this means we can often recognise when the same individuals return to Shetland if we get good enough photos of their dorsal fins. This photo-ID data then allows us to identify individuals, and then understand many things, including population size, calving rates and success, local habitat preferences, movements, and seasonality of habitat use.
Want to get involved in surveys?
During our Winter 2025 programme of surveys, WDC Shorewatch volunteers or past contributers to the Risso's dolphin photo-ID catalogue have been supporting us out on surveys, as photographers and/or data collectors. From March 2026 onwards, we will be able to invite out anyone living in Shetland that would like to participate, gain new skills, and spend some time surveying on the water! If you would like to hear more or potentially join surveys, please reach out to the survey coordinator Emily at emily.hague@uhi.ac.uk
Submit your photographs / videos
Submit your photographs / videos
In collaboration with WDC and other Risso's dolphin experts across Scotland, we are working on updating the Shetland Risso's dolphin photo-ID catalogue (last updated 2022). This is a work in progress and we will update here when the latest version is ready. To complete the update and to help us build our understanding of Shetland's Risso's dolphins and their movements, we would like to encourage public submissions of photographs of Risso's dolphins to the project. Please reach out, and send your images to emily.hague@uhi.ac.uk
Shetland Risso's Dolphin Photo-ID Catalogue.pdfPhoto-ID Survey Funders
Photo-ID Survey Funders
2025
In 2025, NatureScot funded our three intial surveys to kick start out photo-ID fieldwork, trial approaches and methods.
Then from September 2025 onwards, the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund funded surveys, equipment and staff time to allow us to survey until March 2026.
2026 onwards
Between March 2026 and March 2028, the marine mammal surveys around Shetland will be 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.
2025 - 2028
Staff time throughout has also been supported by the BLUE CONNECT project, which is funded by the European Union, under the Horizon Ocean Mission funding (HORIZON-MISS-2023OCEAN-01).
Banner image Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife, Two Risso's dolphins Credit Holly Paget-Brown, Lone Risso's dolphin Credit Emily Hague / UHI Shetland, Boat survey photographs Credit Tanya Riley / UHI Shetland and Emily Hague / UHI Shetland, Two's Risso's dolphins (drone image) Credit Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife
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