The Fair Isle Marine Research Organisation are monitoring cetacean presence around Fair Isle using Passive Acoustic Monitoring, using devices known as FPODs. To date, deployment of devices has been limited to inshore, sheltered areas during spring, summer and autumn months due to weather-related challenges during the winter months and concerns associated with loss of expensive acoustic equipment in stormy weather.
This project grant supported FIMRO in purchasing equipment which would allow them to trial using heavier moorings to help achieve their longer-term goal of deploying acoustic devices throughout the winter months to allow for year-round acoustic monitoring of cetaceans. This will have many benefits, in particular allowing for seasonal variation in cetacean presence around Fair Isle to be determined. Also, heavier, more secure moorings will allow acoustic devices to be deployed in deeper waters, allowing FIMRO to expand their acoustic survey coverage around the island.
In 2025 SMEEF was able to provide a grant of £2,613 using resources from the Nature Restoration Fund.