Sharp Rise in Whale and Dolphin Strandings Sparks Concern in Scotland

Published: 22 August 2025. The English Chronicle Online

A major new study has revealed that whales and dolphins are increasingly being stranded along Scotland’s coastline, with scientists warning the rise has reached alarming levels over the past three decades. The research, published in Scientific Reports, is the first to quantify the scale of strandings across Scottish shores and highlights the urgency of strengthening conservation measures to protect vulnerable marine species.

The study examined 30 years of data collected by the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) between 1992 and 2022, covering baleen whales, short-beaked common dolphins, harbour porpoises and pelagic dolphins. Over this period, researchers documented 5,147 stranding incidents, ranging from animals found dead on beaches to live mammals trapped in shallow waters and unable to return to the sea.

Analysis of the data revealed a sharp rise in strandings across all species, but most significantly among common dolphins and baleen whales. Scientists described this increase as “exponential,” stressing that it reflects growing and unprecedented pressures in Scottish waters. For two decades, strandings of these species remained relatively low, but since 2010 the figures have climbed steeply, raising red flags about environmental changes affecting marine ecosystems.

The research also found that juvenile animals accounted for a disproportionate share of the strandings, suggesting younger individuals may be particularly vulnerable. This trend, experts argue, underscores the need for urgent monitoring and targeted conservation strategies to prevent further ecological damage.

“By identifying where and when species are most at risk, we can target monitoring and conservation efforts at the critical times and locations needed to best safeguard the health of these ecosystems,” said Andrew Brownlow, Director of the SMASS.

Harbour porpoises were found to be the most affected, making up more than half of all strandings recorded during the 30-year study. Pelagic dolphins accounted for 24 per cent, common dolphins 10 per cent, and baleen whales 9 per cent. While the overall stranding rates did not show major differences between males and females, researchers noted clear seasonal and regional variations. Strandings occurred across Scotland but were more concentrated in certain locations: almost all species stranded along the northwest coast, while porpoises were more frequently found on the east coast, particularly around the Inner and Outer Moray Firth, the Forth and Tay, and in the Clyde.

The findings carry troubling implications for Scotland’s marine environment, with scientists warning that the consistent rise in strandings may be symptomatic of wider environmental changes. “These animals act as sentinels of the ocean, and rising numbers of strandings may be an early warning that something is changing in the marine environment,” Dr Brownlow said. He added that while the report raises serious concerns, it also highlights the need for region-specific strategies, as threats vary across different parts of Scotland’s coast.

With climate change, pollution, shifts in prey availability and human activity all likely contributing factors, marine experts stress that immediate and coordinated efforts are essential to protect these species. The study underscores the importance of viewing strandings not as isolated events but as vital indicators of the health of marine ecosystems.