CRRU research boat "Ketos" in action.
Research Activities
Despite a flow of new information in recent years, we still know surprisingly little about the majority of cetacean species in our oceans and seas. These are amongst the most difficult animals to study, spending most of their lives underwater, living far out to sea in remote areas and showing little of themselves when they rise to the surface to breathe.
Inspite of these difficulties, however, it is certainly an exciting time to be involved in cetacean research. We have learnt just enough to begin asking the right questions, and we are now beginning to understand the intricacies of the natural behaviour, ecology, social organisation and many other aspects of the daily lives of these fascinating creatures in the wild.
Current studies by the CRRU reasearch team focus on the cetacean species frequenting the coastal waters of the outer Moray Firth, namely the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and the minke whale. However, addtional studies presently address the changes in biodiversity in cetacean communities as a result of increasing sea temperatures and the impacts of detrimental anthropogenic effects.
To find out more about the ongoing research work of the CRRU, select the submenus on the left hand panel.
To browse through some of our Scientific Publications click HERE.
