Catherine Gemmell

She/her Scotland Conservation Officer @mcsuk Trustee @APRScotland Hon. Fellow @royalscotgeosoc STEM Ambassador @STEMAmbassadors Co-founder @morayocean Views own

[Catherine Gemmell @cathgem2000]

Wishing everyone a wonderful festive break to rest and recharge ready for another year of ocean optimism and action!

A huge thank you to everyone I have had the pleasure of working and volunteering with this year - can't wait to see what we can achieve together in 2025🌊

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Orcas hunting the shallows in Mousa Sound, Shetland last week.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Lovely views today of Risso's Dolphins with calves - some only a few days old - off Levenwick, Shetland. Absolutely wonderful to see! Note the extensive scarring on the mothers - on most individuals this is generally conspecific and, like saddle markings on Orcas, form the foundations for individual photo ID.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

It's not just the weather Gods shining on us at the moment - the Orca Gods are too! An amazing morning for our @ShetlandWild 'Walk Shetland' group as we watched the '65s' pod - and the huge bull 'Busta' - close inshore off Gulberwick and Easter Quarff and points south to Sumburgh. Our fourth consecutive week of encounters!

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

ORCAS!!!

Last week we witnessed this amazing scene as we watched the '65s' Orcas hunting right beneath us as we stood on the cliffs at Kirkabister in the east Mainland, Shetland. Incredible!

@Seasaver @whalesorg @kasmunro @Britnatureguide @NLFerries @Mammal_Society @mcsuk @cathgem2000 @sharontrys @NatureScot @marcrileydj @ShetlandWild

[Catherine Gemmell @cathgem2000]

@brendon_queiroz @SarahChampionMP @mcsuk We Def need to discuss some doggo ...I mean marine litter policy soon ... right?!

[Catherine Gemmell @cathgem2000]

It was great to discuss all things Ocean with @SarahChampionMP on behalf of @mcsuk today.

I maybe/definitely wanted to say hello to your pups!

Would it be appropriate when doing intros in meetings to also allow for pet introductions?

This is Jasper - he loves a teams call!

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Slo-mo ORCAS filmed off the east Mainland of Shetland this week. Enjoying life as nature intended - in the ocean and not in a swimming pool. @Seasaver @whalesorg @kasmunro @Britnatureguide @NLFerries @Mammal_Society @mcsuk @cathgem2000 @sharontrys @NatureScot @marcrileydj

[Shetland Wildlife @ShetlandWild]

ORCAS!!!
Our 'Ultimate Shetland' group enjoyed a fabulous encounter with Orcas yesterday in the east Mainland of Shetland. The grouping comprised the '65s' (including the huge bull 'Busta') and three of the 27s pod. Enjoy these excellent pics by Hannah Loughnane.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

20 years ago today I photographed this bull Orca off Bressay, Shetland as I led a @ShetlandWild group around Noss. The photograph I took would prove to be the first-ever documenting image taken of him and little did we know that 20 years on, he would be one our 'regulars' and a very much-loved Shetland - and Scottish - Orca. He's a member of the '65s' pod, his catalogue name is '032' but he's more affectionately known as 'Busta'. I've encountered him many times every year since that day in 2005 and the thrill of seeing him is as magical now as it was back then. Here's to the next 20 years big fella! 🖤🤍

[Paws On Plastic #pawsonplastic @pawsonplastic]

What type of #litter annoys you most?

Cigarette butts? Poo bags? Drinks cans? Bottles?

These Jelly Fruit Blasts are often found on walks - an example of unnecessary single use plastic waste.

What others are your pet hates?
#protectanimals #dogcharity #binitforbracken

[Shetland Wildlife @ShetlandWild]

Lovely displays of Edmonston's Chickweed (aka Shetland Mouse-ear) on the serpentine fellfield at Keen of Hamar last week for our 'Ultimate Shetland' group. This Cerastium is endemic to the island of Unst and found nowhere else in the World. A must-see for our visiting guests!

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Great to see my amazing friend and fellow Scottish Killer Whale Photo ID catalogue co-author Karen Munro @kasmunro chatting with @HamzaYassin3 on @BBCCountryfile this afternoon. If you'd like to download a copy of the latest catalogue, go to https://t.co/rSjH1dXtTJ. WIP already for an updated version!

[Marine Conservation Society @mcsuk]

Exciting news - we were on @BBCTheOneShow last night! Our Policy and Advocacy Manager, @cathgem2000 was talking to JJ Chalmers about the effect that ghost fishing gear can have on marine wildlife

Catch-up in iPlayer (our segment starts at 2mins 15secs): https://t.co/ralG5lAuTk

[OceanGives~WhaleSongTiree @SuilanSpink]

This 50m
#beachclean was a shocking dumping of #fishinglife net cuttings 697 cut bits of rope !
@ScotGovMarine @ScotIslandsFed @scotruralnet @ScotCoastClean @sascampaigns @mcsuk @cathgem2000 @NatureScot @Natures_Voice @WWFScotland

[Catherine Gemmell @cathgem2000]

@SuilanSpink @benedictallen @ChrisGPackham @NatGeo @ScotIslandsFed I do love watching the waves thank you! 😊

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

And breathe...

Slo-mo footage of the lone bull Orca at Olnafirth up in the north Mainland of Shetland this week.

@Seasaver @whalesorg @mcsuk @SeaWatchersUK @NLFerries @Mammal_Society @NatureScot @kazcustard @saana_is @kasmunro @jcqsutherland @cathgem2000 @marcrileydj @SunnysidePri @sharontrys

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Lovely views of this bull Orca up in the north Mainland of Shetland today. Not an individual we recognise from our Scottish photo ID catalogue and hoping for a 'match' from elsewhere. Amazing to see the blow hanging in the calm early morning air.

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Backlit Orca ploughing through Atlantic swells off the west Mainland of Shetland earlier this month. 🖤🤍

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

A short video featuring all nine members (including the two calves) of the Northern Isles Community '27s' #Orca pod together off the east Mainland of Shetland last week. 🖤🤍🧡

@Seasaver @whalesorg @mcsuk @SeaWatchersUK @NLFerries @Mammal_Society @NatureScot @kazcustard @saana_is @kasmunro @jcqsutherland @cathgem2000 @marcrileydj @SunnysidePri

[Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop]

Meet the family: all nine members of the Northern Isles Community '27s' #Orca pod off the east Mainland of Shetland last week. The latest additions to the pod are calves born in November 2024 (third from right) and November 2022 (fourth from left). Magical to watch and film.