In a first for UK research, bold new attempts to better understand how frequently whales encounter vessels in the high Arctic and then how they respond to those interactions, are about to get underway thanks to a pioneering new collaboration between the Scottish university, Heriot-Watt and the travel exploration specialist, Hurtigruten Expeditions.

The five-year partnership will see the pair undertake “pioneering research” into the challenges facing marine life in the northern-most part of the Arctic region – the high Arctic – calling on a collaborative effort between academia and industry as well as citizen science, to deepen our knowledge of one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems.

The primary objective will be to gain clearer insight into how often and where whales are encountering vessels in the high Arctic and then analyse how these whales are responding to these interactions. It’s an area of research that – while still largely unexplored – will become more vital to understand as vessel traffic increases in the Arctic region.

Teams from Heriot-Watt University and Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX) will work together aboard the Whales & Arctic Vessels Project (WAVE) – marking the first time a UK university has partnered with HX on a project of this scale. The pair will then prepare to jointly publish their findings, delivering impact reports and scientific results that will further the understanding or pressures on the Arctic whale.

“We know in other areas of the world that whales can be affected by vessels in a variety of ways, from exposure to underwater noise to being physically stuck or disturbed,” said Dr Lauren McWhinnie, an assistant professor at Heriot-Watt’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society. “But we have very little understanding about how frequently Arctic whales are encountering vessels in the high Arctic and how they are being impacted by these interactions.”

We do know, however, that vessel activity in the Arctic is increasing, and as traffic increases so too, do the opportunities for vessel and whale encounters. The partnership marks a significant milestone in academia and industry working together to better understand this issue and develop the necessary steps to mitigate the problems that may arise.

“It’s important that we work with industry, policy makers, and communities to ensure that the maritime sector is operating in a responsible and sustainable manner and is not placing any further pressure on these animals whose habitat is significantly changing due to climate change,” said Dr Whinnie.

The project will leverage HX’s extensive expedition network and reputation for engaging both guest passengers and the wider public in important environmental research. University researchers will gain access to multiple vessels within the HX fleet, enabling them to conduct multi-year data collection in areas that are rarely surveyed.

Meanwhile, passengers aboard HX ships on planned commercial voyages will also have the opportunity to participate in citizen science programmes, both contributing valuable data and allowing them to see how their contributions can make a difference.

Dr Verena Meraldi, chief scientist for HX, said: “I have the honour of working alongside various scientists across different disciplines to get a deeper understanding of the processes governing our planet and the impact we are having on it. 

“Conveying this to our guests and getting them involved in projects such as WAVE is exactly the kind of project we look to support. We hope by supporting this project, we will support further knowledge and understanding of Arctic whales, and also enrich the journeys and mindsets of our guests.”

The partnership has been heralded as a milestone collaboration between academia and industry and one that aims to both advance the scientific understanding of the Arctic ecosystem and make a tangible contribution to whale conservation in the region.

Habitats such as the high Arctic are now going through ‘significant changes’ as a direct consequence of climate change and its symptoms, including ice reductions. As such, the need for academia to work with industry partners, policy makers, and local communities is greater than ever. 

Heriot-Watt University’s partnership with HX has therefore been regarded as a positive and proactive step towards reducing impact upon biodiversity by better informing our conservation efforts.

“When we are working to conserve whales, we are so often on the back food – reacting to deal with a problem that is already having documented impact,” said Dr Whinnie. “What’s incredibly exciting about this research is that we are being more proactive.

“As a researcher, this is a truly fantastic opportunity to bring about a positive change.”

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