DSP Steering Group

The Dolphin Space Programme is overseen by a steering group who are involved in the development and running of the DSP scheme. The steering group and DSP accredited operaters meet twice a year, usually in the spring and autumn or in early winter. These meetings are used to review progress, discuss any issues which may have arisen since the last meeting and to plan future development and improvement of the DSP scheme. The steering group is made up of various groups who are involved in one way or another with marine wildlife tourism in the Moray Firth. All steering group members are listed below with links to their web pages.

VisitScotland, http://www.visitscotland.com. 

VisitScotland are the Scottish tourist board. You can use their website to find out what there is to see and do in Scotland and to find and book accomodation. VisitScotland advise the DSP on issues such quality assurance, PR & media and marketing & promotion. Have a look at their Green Tourism pages for information on environmentally friendly accomodation and attractions.(http://www.visitscotland.com/sitewide/greentourism).

The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), http://www.wdcs.org

WDCS are the most active cetacean charity in the world and dedicated to the conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins and porpoises. WDCS raises funds to support conservation, research and education projects. WDCS advises the DSP on issues related to the conservation and welfare of cetaceans in the Moray Firth. They are also a key funding body for the DSP scheme.

The MCA is responsible throughout the UK for implementing the Government’s maritime safety policy. That includes co-ordinating search and rescue at sea through the Coastguard and checking that ships meet UK and international safety rules. The MCGA work to prevent the loss of lives at the coast and at sea, to ensure that ships are safe, and to prevent coastal pollution. " Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas".

The Highland Council, http://www.highland.gov.uk

The local council for the Highlands area. The Highland Council are responsible for issuing licenses for some of the DSP wildlife tour operators.

Inverness Harbour Trust, http://www.invernessharbour.co.uk

Inverness Harbour Trust own and operate the port of Inverness. They advise the DSP on any relevant issues affecting this area.

Northern Constabulary & Grampian Police,  http://www.northern.police.uk, http://www.grampian.police.uk

Two local police forces have provided the DSP with one of their wildlife liaison officers to sit on the steering group. These officers advise the DSP on wildlife law and wildlife crime. To find out more about wildlife liaison officers, please contact one of the police forces listed above. To find out more about wildlife crime, have a look at the website provided by the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime (PAW)http://www.defra.gov.uk/paw/default.htm