Yet the Shetland Sea Mammal Group receive few cetacean records from fishing boats. Paul Fisher, a member of the Shetland Sea Mammal Group explains what the Group is about and how fishermen can contribute to an important observer scheme.
Most members live in Shetland and form a network of voluntary observers.
A nominal annual membership fee covers the cost of producing an annual report, and hiring venues and facilities for talks and Open days. Most people have an intrinsic interest in whales and dolphins, perhaps fuelled by the great media attention in the 70's focusing on commercial whaling by Japan, Norway and Russia, the advent of environmentalism and TV wildlife documentaries, and because of their playful activity, and apparent peaceful co-existence with nature. Whaling provided an important income, food and other materials to islanders. Life and social values have moved on. Whaling is now a contentious issue, particularly with species like minke whales, which have populations that could sustain a moderated cull.