Marine mammals
Seals
Seals are a protected species under Part 6 of the Marine Scotland Act 2010 (‘The Act’). Section 107 of the Act makes it an offence to kill, injure or take a live seal (intentionally or recklessly), with exceptions applying to instances for the purpose of alleviating suffering and for licensed activity. Instances in which a seal can be killed, injured or taken to alleviate suffering can be found in Section 108, and associated guidance can be found on the Marine mammals topic sheet: taking or killing a seal to alleviate suffering - gov.scot. Provisions for which seal licences may be granted are described in Section 109, with more information available within our seal licensing guidance.
Under Section 117 of the Act it is an offence to harass a seal (intentionally or recklessly) at a designated haul-out. Further information, including the locations of sites, can be found on our seal haul-out webpage.
Under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has a duty to provide scientific advice to the Scottish Government on matters related to the management of seal populations. NERC has appointed the Special Committee on Seals (SCOS) to formulate this advice.
This advice is given annually based on the latest scientific information provided to SCOS by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU). SMRU also provides to government scientific reviews of applications for licences to shoot seals, along with information and advice in response to parliamentary questions and correspondence.
Harbour seal decline
The Scottish harbour seal population has experienced a population decline that has been evident since 1996, particularly in north-east Scotland (North Coast & Orkney and Shetland Seal Monitoring Units (SMUs)). While previously the West Scotland and Western Isles populations were seen as a stronghold for harbour seals, recent results (June 2025) from the Sea Mammal Research Unit’s seal monitoring programme recorded the latest harbour seal counts as 10-25% lower for all three western SMUs compared to the highest totals recorded in 2016-2019.
Scottish Government-supported research between 2017 and 2025 has ruled out several factors as primary causal factors of the declines, including entanglement, disturbance, lethal removal and bycatch.
Every 5 years, SMRU conducts aerial surveys of the entire Scottish coastline, providing us with new robust information regarding the status of the harbour seal population and its distribution. We fund a programme of Marine Mammal Scientific Support which includes research to investigate drivers of harbour seal decline trends.
Five Seal Conservation Areas have been designated by Scottish Ministers under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. Where problems of seal damage occur, it will still be possible for fish farms, DSFBs and other fishery interests to apply to Marine Directorate for licences to shoot fixed numbers of harbour seals but any such licences will take into account the vulnerable condition of the local seal population and the existence of SCAs.
Cetaceans: whales, dolphins and porpoises
Cetaceans are protected under the EU Habitats Directive, which makes it an offence to deliberately capture, kill or recklessly disturb them.
The UK Cetacean Conservation Strategy (2025) takes a joined-up approach to protecting cetaceans in UK waters. It supports the UK's wider goal of achieving clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas.
The Strategy identifies where evidence-based action can be taken to reduce the pressures on cetaceans, in line with our commitment to achieving and maintaining Good Environmental Status (GES) in UK waters. It is underpinned by research and monitoring, public awareness raising, and partnership working to tackle threats across the full range of these species.
Overall, the Strategy provides an overarching framework to improve our understanding of cetaceans and address the pressures and threats they face in UK waters.
We have produced guidance for marine users on the Protection of European Protected Species from injury and disturbance for Scottish inshore waters.
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 contained provisions for NatureScot to create a Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code which sets out recommendations, advice and information relating to commercial and leisure activities involving the watching of marine wildlife.
A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) has been established in the Moray Firth to protect the local population of Bottlenose dolphins.
Royal fish
In July 1999, the Scottish Government became responsible (on behalf of the Crown) for dealing with 'Royal Fish' found stranded on Scottish shores. In Scotland, these are considered to be those stranded whales measuring more than 25 feet long from the snout to the middle of the tail.
The local coastguard should notify Marine Directorate of any Royal Fish providing, wherever possible, details of the size and species of whale involved. It should also inform the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (which investigates the cause of death of marine animals stranded dead around Scotland’s coast where practical to do so) and the appropriate local authority Environmental Health Department, which will consider whether there is a need to make arrangements for the disposal of the carcass.
Read the guidance on how to deal with stranded Royal Fish.
Marine Mammal Scientific Support Research Programme
This is a strategic marine mammal research programme to provide advice to Scottish Ministers across a range of key policy areas. Read more about the Marine Mammal Scientific Support (MMSS) Research Programme and see reports on the Sea Mammal Research Unit website.
Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme
We fund the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS) which undertakes investigations into the cause of death of marine animals (e.g., cetaceans, seals, turtles and basking sharks) stranded around the Scottish coastline. These investigations include assessment of any injuries and testing for illness and/or disease. The long term accumulation of stranding data facilitates the investigation of trends and patterns in stranding numbers and mortality.
Reporting stranded marine animals
In the case of finding a dead or stranded marine animal, call 07979 245 893 or email reports@strandings.org and, if possible, provide the following information:
- date found
- location (grid reference if possible)
- photographs of the animal
- species or description
- overall length (estimation)
- condition of the animal
- your contact details
Rescue for live stranded marine animals is available 24 hours a day by calling Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline (03000 999 999) or British Divers Marine Life Rescue (01825 765 546).
If you see a dead seal on the shore, please report it to one of the groups listed below or report it to the local RSPCA/SSPCA. Unless you are experienced and equipped to deal with large dead animals, it would be unwise to handle a dead seal. If possible, send photographs of the carcass and close-ups of any obvious injuries to:
(1) Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU): dt2@st-and.ac.uk
(2) Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS): reports@strandings.org