Investigating methods for a multi-faceted approach to determine distribution and habitat use of harbour porpoises to inform management

HPs是英国数量最多的鲸目动物，出现在所有沿海地区，特别容易受到人类活动的干扰。由于气候变化和多种海洋产业的发展，支持HP的海洋系统所承受的压力正在增加。减少这种人为影响的管理工具包括制定海洋计划和建立海洋保护区。惠普的保护下，几件立法，是EPS和PMF。让当地社区参与数据收集可以增加对管理措施的接受和最终遵守。为了应对海洋哺乳动物面临的现有和新出现的压力，需要更好地了解这一物种的时空变化，包括考虑其生态和行为。在设得兰群岛周围，关于HP的时空分布的信息有限，尽管当地记录了超过100个的不寻常的巨型豆荚。此外，与当前人类活动共现的程度在很大程度上是未知的。该奖学金是高地和岛屿大学（主管Rachel Shucksmith-设得兰群岛UHI和Ben Wilson SAMS UHI教授），埃里奥特瓦特大学（主管Lauren McWhinnie博士），海洋苏格兰科学（主管Ross Culloch博士）和NatureScot（Karen Hall）之间的合作。此外，它还得到了设得兰群岛社区野生动物组织（SCWG）和苏格兰鲸鱼和海豚保护组织（WDCS）的支持。该研究将集中在4个关键目标：目标1：调查使用“公民科学”方法来监测HP，并提供与存在，丰度和分布相关的信息目标2：探索使用无人机，海岸视觉观察和数字图像，以更好地了解精细尺度区域的使用，例如产犊，喂养和交配区域目标3：建立对设得兰群岛港口鼠海豚空间和时间利用的基线了解目标4：调查在一系列未来情景下（例如可再生发展和气候变化）港口鼠海豚目前和未来的沿海压力

HPs are the UKs most numerous cetacean, occurring in all coastal areas and are particularly vulnerable to disturbance from human activities. Pressures on the marine systems that support HP are increasing due to climate change and growth of multiple marine industries. Management tools to reduce such anthropogenic impacts include the development of marine plans and the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs). HP's are protected under several pieces of legislation and are EPS and PMFs. Engaging local communities in data collection can increase buy-in and ultimately compliance with management measures. To manage existing and emerging pressures on marine mammals a better understanding of the temporal and spatial variance of this species is required, including consideration of its ecology and behaviour. Around the Shetland archipelago limited information is available on the spatial and temporal distribution of HPs, although unusual mega-pods of over 100 have been locally documented. In addition, the extent of co-occurrence with current anthropogenic activities is largely unknown. This studentship is a collaboration between the University of Highlands and Islands (supervisors Rachel Shucksmith- Shetland UHI and Professor Ben Wilson SAMS UHI), Heriot Watt University (supervisor Dr Lauren McWhinnie), Marine Scotland Science (supervisor Dr Ross Culloch) and NatureScot (Karen Hall). In addition, it is supported by Shetland Community Wildlife Group (SCWG) and Whale and Dolphin Conservation Scotland (WDCS). The studentship will focus on 4 key objectives: Objective 1: Investigating the use of 'citizen science' methodologies for monitoring HP and providing information related to presence, abundance and distribution Objective 2: Explore the use of drones, shore based visual observations and digital imagery to gain a better understanding of fine scale area use e.g calving, feeding and mating areas Objective 3: Establishing a baseline understanding of harbour porpoise spatial and temporal use in the Shetland archipelago Objective 4: Investigating current and future coastal pressures on harbour porpoises in a range of future scenarios (e.g. renewable development and climate change)