North-east marine charity features in new documentary
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A Gardenstown marine charity is the focus of a new documentary which has been released on DVD.
Husband and wife filmmaking team Greg and Felicity Chapman travelled from their home on the Isle of Wight to the coastal village to spend 10 days working and filming with the Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit.
The charity studies and works to rescue whales, dolphins and porpoises in the Moray Firth and beyond
Seeking Cetaceans in Scotland is a two-part documentary which shows the work that the team does in entertaining, heartwarming and at times emotional videos.
As well as featuring information about the charity, the couple has also decided to donate £5 from each DVD sold towards supporting the unit.
Mr Chapman, who is also a magician and entertainer, said: "We managed to raise about £700 for the charity in 2020 with an online campaign and events.
“So we leapt at the chance to find out more about what it does and to work and train with them.
"They had a hard year in 2020 but kept going, so we are very pleased to be able to help raise some money to help them keep up the great work they do.”
The Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit is a marine conservation charity dedicated to the study, conservation and understanding of UK whales, dolphins and porpoises in north-east Scotland through scientific research, environmental education and the provision of a voluntary veterinary rescue service for marine wildlife in distress.
In cooperation with universities, research institutions and other environmental organisations, current studies focus on the key coastal cetacean species frequenting the outer Moray Firth – namely the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise and the minke whale.
The charity aims to increase present knowledge of the marine mammals in these waters and provide robust scientific data for the adoption of management measures and effective conservation strategies for their future protection.
It also has an educational outreach programme conducted throughout the year. This work takes many forms, from academic training and volunteering opportunities, to school visits and public talks, media and the publication of materials and teaching resources.
It has been involved in marine wildlife rescue since 1999, and operates the only 24-hour emergency veterinary response team of researchers specifically dedicated to assisting sick, injured and stranded cetaceans in Scotland.
The veterinary team also works with other marine casualties such as seals, seabirds and turtles.
The Chapmans have made a number of documentaries over the past couple of years.
In early 2019 the couple set off on an adventure travelling across Mexico in search of Mayan ruins and marine wildlife.
This became their first travel documentary and started them off on a journey to make films all over the world.
This has included travelling to the Isle of Man, Turkey and Romania.
Topics have included Dracula's Castle, underground cities and railways and castles.
For more information on the work of the charity visit www.crru.org.uk
Seeking Cetaceans in Scotland can be purchased through the couple’s website at www.gregandfelicityadventures.com
