Whale, dolphin, and porpoise strandings in Scotland have risen markedly over the past 30 years, increasing from around 100 to over 300 per year. Between 1992 and 2022, 5,140 marine mammals were recorded stranded on Scottish beaches. Harbour porpoises accounted for more than half (2,676), pelagic dolphins 1,217, common dolphins 492, and baleen whales 489. Rates accelerated steeply for common dolphins and baleen whales from about 2010, while deep-diving species showed slower increases. Possible drivers include chemical, plastic, and noise pollution, accidental entanglement in fishing gear, and climate-driven prey shifts that push some species closer to shore. Mass strandings have occurred, including 150 animals so far this year.
Scientists have been baffled by an 'exponential' increase in whale and dolphin strandings in Britain. Over the last 30 years, the number of whales, dolphins, and porpoises becoming stuck on Scottish beaches has risen from 100 per year to over 300. In some species, such as common dolphins, rates of strandings are now up more than 800 per cent. Researchers from the University of Glasgow's Scottish marine animal stranding scheme (SMASS) are investigating what might be behind the rise, but say the cause is uncertain.
SMASS's report comes after a wave of unprecedented mass beaching incidents, during which 150 animals have mass stranded in Scotland so far this year. In a new paper, published in Scientific Reports, the researchers say that chemical, plastic, and noise pollution might be part of the problem. Likewise, a rise in animals becoming accidentally entangled in fishing gear could be driving more whales and dolphins into trouble.
Stranding occurs when marine mammals swim close to shore and find themselves trapped in shallow water, often leading to death or injury. Between 1992 and 2022, 5,140 marine mammals were recorded becoming stranded on Scottish beaches. More than half of those strandings included harbour porpoises, with 2,676 becoming trapped on beaches. Pelagic dolphins, a group of ocean-dwelling dolphins, were the second most common, with 1,217 strandings. Common dolphins made up a further 492 strandings.
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