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，分布在所有沿海地区，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，支持惠普的海洋系统面临的压力正在增加。减少这种人为影响的管理手段包括制定海洋计划和建立海洋保护区。惠普受到多项法律的保护，它们是每股收益和PMF。让当地社区参与数据收集可以增加对数据的接受，并最终提高管理措施的合规性。为了管理对海洋哺乳动物的现有和新出现的压力，需要更好地了解该物种的时间和空间差异，包括考虑其生态和行为。在设得兰群岛周围，关于HPS的空间和时间分布的信息有限，尽管当地记录了100多个不同寻常的巨型豆荚。此外，与当前人类活动同时发生的程度在很大程度上是未知的。该项目由高地与群岛大学(主管Rachel Shucksmith-Shetland UHI和教授Ben Wilson SAMS UHI)、赫里奥特·瓦特大学(主管Lauren McWhinnie博士)、苏格兰海洋科学学院(主管Ross Culloch博士)和NatureScot(主管Karen Hall)共同合作。此外，它还得到了设得兰社区野生动物组织(SCWG)和苏格兰鲸鱼和海豚保护组织(WDCS)的支持。目标1：调查用‘公民科学’方法监测海豚的情况，并提供与存在、丰富和分布有关的信息。目标2：探索无人机、岸基目视观测和数字图像的使用，以更好地了解细微尺度区域的使用情况，例如产卵、摄食和交配区。目标3：建立设得兰群岛港口江豚空间和时间使用的基线了解。目标4：在一系列未来情景(例如可再生发展和气候变化)中调查当前和未来沿海对港口江豚的压力。

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)