In Action

The Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit (CRRU) is a small non-profit research organisation based in North East Scotland dedicated to the welfare, conservation and protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) through scientific investigation, environmental education, and the provision of a 24-hour veterinary service for sick, injured and stranded individuals.

The CRRU’s scientific research provides baseline data for the adoption of long term management measures and conservation strategies for the protection of UK cetaceans.

The CRRU also operates the only specialist response team of marine mammal researchers in Scotland dedicated specifically to live-stranded whales and dolphins in trouble.

Despite a flow of new information, we still know surprisingly little about the majority of cetacean species around the UK coastline and the team works vitally hard to better our understanding and knowledge of their distribution, habitat preferences and ecology in these waters, and particularly in the inshore waters of the outer Moray Firth. 

The CRRU is presently seeking funding for a new rigid inflatable boat for its vital research and conservation work with whales and dolphins in northeast Scotland. The charity’s present vessels (Ketos and Orca II) have been working tirelessly for over 12 years now, and are now on their last legs and proving too small for working conditions and too expensive to maintain at this time. The larger, replacement boat sought by the team will not only have the additional space needed for a larger crew and all their research, rescue and veterinary equipment, but most of all will be reliable and safe for the teams working in often inclement conditions.