Moray Firth Dolphin Defenders

Bottlenose dolphins have been living in the Moray Firth for at least 100 years.

With your help, they'll still be here 100 years from now.

Moray Firth Partnership ran the Dolphin Defenders project during 2004-5 and looked at all we can do to safeguard the Moray Firth dolphins.

Click here to see the report from the Dolphin Defenders project.

We asked people to make a pledge to change something about their behaviour that could affect the dolphins and their environment. If enough people make even a small change, together they'll have an enormous impact.

Click here to find out more about how you can safeguard the Moray Firth dolphins.

During the project we produced a Dolphin Defenders toolkit. This is a pack of fun and informative activities about the Moray Firth, its dolphins, the risks they face - and what people can do to secure the dolphins' future.

Click here to find out more about the Dolphin Defenders toolkit for schools.

Did you know that the Moray Firth Dolphins are protected under a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC)? The cSAC is established under the Scottish Executive and UK Government's implementation of the European Habitats Directive.

Those organisations that have existing powers and responsibilities for an area to become an SAC are called "Relevant Authorities". The Relevant Authorities for the Moray Firth candidate SAC have worked hard in close collaboration with other groups and individuals who have an interest in activities around the Moray Firth. They have established an SAC Management Group and a set of management guidelines with particular regard to the bottlenose dolphin population.

Click on the link for more information about the SAC and about the guidelines for protecting the Moray Firth population of bottlenose dolphins. www.morayfirth-partnership.org/SAC(main).html

The Dolphin Defenders project was funded by BP and run by the Moray Firth Partnership. The Partnership is a voluntary group of individuals and representatives from a wide range of organisations. It covers the area from John 0'Groats to Fraserburgh, has over 620 members and is a Scottish charity.

Click here to find out more about the Moray Firth Partnership www.morayfirth-partnership.org