Minches and the Sea of the Hebrides IMMA
Size in Square Kilometres
28,858 km2
Qualifying Species and Criteria
Common bottlenose dolphin – Tursiops truncatus
Criterion B (1), D (1)
Grey seal – Halichoerus grypus
Criterion B(2), C (1,2)
Harbour seal – Phoca vitulina
Criterion B(2), C (1,2)
Harbour porpoise – Phocoena phocoena
Criterion B(2), C (1,2)
Risso’s dolphin – Grampus griseus
Criterion B(2), C (1), D (1)
Minke whale – Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Criterion B(2), C (2)
White-beaked dolphin – Lagenorhynchus albirostris
Criterion C (2)
Marine Mammal Diversity
Criterion D (2)
Halichoerus grypus, Phoca vitulina, Tursiops truncatus, Phocoena phocoena, Delphinus delphis, Grampus griseus, Lagenorhynchus albirostris, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Orcinus orca
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Summary
The waters between the Outer Hebrides and the mainland coast of west Scotland are amongst the richest in terms of marine mammal diversity of any in the British Isles. Twenty-three marine mammal species have been recorded here, nine of which meet at least one of the IMMA criteria. This is due to the area’s proximity to the shelf edge, the complex currents that pass around the islands, and the various productive fishing grounds in the area. The continental shelf seas support the following marine mammal species: harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), killer whales (Orcinus orca), and minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). The habitat is important for breeding for grey seals, harbour seals, harbour porpoises and Risso’s dolphins. Hybrids of the latter with common bottlenose dolphins have been recorded in the area.
Description of Qualifying Criteria
Criterion B: Distribution and Abundance
Sub-criterion B1: Small and Resident Populations
Several species (e.g. harbour porpoise, killer whale, grey seal, harbour seal) have been recorded in the area in every month of the year, but the only species that qualifies as a small and truly resident population is the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). A population of about 15 animals inhabits the vicinity of the Sound of Barra in the Outer Hebrides and has not been photo-identified outside this area (Grellier and Wilson, 2003; Cheney et al., 2013; van Geel, 2016). Around 30-40 bottlenose dolphins also range mainly inshore around the Inner Hebrides from the Kintyre Peninsula to the Isle of Skye (Cheney et al., 2013; van Geel, 2016; Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, 2018; Evans and Waggitt, 2020b). Off the east coast of the Isle of Lewis, 31 bottlenose dolphins have been photo-identified since 2005 (Whale & Dolphin Conservation Photo-ID catalogue, 2021; N. Hodgins pers. comm.), of which several have been re-sighted across multiple years (up to 15 years).
Sub-criterion B2: Aggregations
Seasonal aggregations of harbour porpoises (Phocoena Phocoena) are observed regularly in the Minches and Sea of the Hebrides, particularly between June and September (Evans, 1997a, b; Evans et al., 2003). Several authors have mapped or modelled distributions in the region and identified areas of high density (Evans & Wang, 2003; Evans et al., 2003; Marubini et al., 2009; Embling et al., 2010; Booth, 2010; Paxton et al., 2016; Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, 2018; Waggitt et al., 2020; Lacey et al., 2022). Several of these analyses have used the same data sets but adopted slightly different modelling approaches. The more recent studies are generally more comprehensive as they incorporate more data and cover a longer time period. Loose groups numbering 100 harbour porpoises have been recorded on occasions in areas such as the Sea of the Hebrides and Inner Sound between Skye and the mainland coast of West Scotland. The species occurs far up the sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland. Porpoise abundance estimates in the region during July SCANS surveys have varied over the years with no clear trend (Hammond et al., 2002, 2013, 2021). The SCANS survey in 2016 obtained a density of 0.40 porpoises per km2, yielding a July abundance estimate of 5,506 (95% CI: 2,403-9,961) animals in block I, and 0.34 porpoises per km2, yielding an abundance estimate of 5,087 (95% CI: 1,701-10,386) animals in block G, the two blocks corresponding approximately to the area of this IMMA (Hammond et al., 2021). The area of the Minches and Sea of the Hebrides has been designated a Special Area of Conservation for the harbour porpoise, based upon areas of relatively high density within the West of Scotland Management Unit, from analysis by Heinänen and Skov (2015), Booth (2010), and Booth et al. (2013).
When compared with other regions around Scotland. elevated densities of Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) persist in the north Minch off the coast of north-east Lewis (Paxton et al., 2014). This led the Scottish government to designate part of the IMMA as a marine protected area (NE Lewis scMPA) (NatureScot, 2019). The species also occurs regularly all down the east coast of the Outer Hebrides and occasionally ranges into eastern areas of the north Minch and Sea of the Hebrides (Boran et al., 1999; Evans et al., 2003; Paxton et al., 2014; Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, 2018; Evans & Waggitt, 2020).
In UK waters, aggregations of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) rarely exceed ten individuals. However, in the Sea of the Hebrides in particular, feeding aggregations of up to 20 individuals have been recorded in late summer (Evans et al., 2003; Anderwald et al., 2011; Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust and Sea Watch Foundation sightings databases). The abundance of minke whales within the west coast of Scotland/Hebrides region (blocks G + I from the SCANS III survey in July 2016) was 695 animals, for which estimated densities are higher than all except two other survey blocks (see Table 16 in Hammond et al., 2021).
Over 20,000 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) haul out in the IMMA which, equates to ~60% of Scottish harbour seals (which are a different metapopulation from England and continental Europe (Carroll et al., 2020), ~15% of European and ~ 10% of the Atlantic subspecies P.v. vitulina; SCOS, 2022). For the most part, the IMMA also encompasses the foraging distribution of harbour seals hauling out within it (Carter et al., 2022). Within the IMMA, ~7% and ~12% of UK grey seals (Halichoerus grypus atlantica) breed and haul out, respectively (SCOS 2022).
Criterion C: Key Life Cycle Activities
Sub-criterion C1: Reproductive Areas
Harbour porpoises with small calves clearly recently born are regularly recorded in summer throughout the region (Evans, 1997a, b; Evans et al., 2003, Marubini et al., 2009; Booth, 2010; Embling et al., 2010; Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, 2018), and several strandings of neonates have been recorded in the area (SMASS strandings database).
Risso’s dolphins have long been known to utilise the area around the Eye Peninsula in East Lewis, Outer Hebrides (Boran et al., 1999; Evans et al., 2003; Paxton et al., 2014; Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, 2018; Evans and Waggitt, 2020b), where photo-ID studies have been undertaken over several years (Atkinson et al., 1997, 1999; Weir et al., 2019). These studies have frequently recorded neonates, particularly between April and September, and have photo-identified some of their mothers as individuals showing site fidelity to the region.
Both harbour and grey seals breed in the IMMA, although for grey seals, pup production is much lower (c. 4,500 pups) than for the Outer Hebrides (over 15,000; SCOS 2022). This area is important for harbour seal breeding, and, in contrast to most other regions of the UK, numbers of harbour seals are increasing (Russell et al., 2022).
Sub-criterion C2: Feeding Areas
The shelf seas within the Hebrides offer excellent feeding grounds for harbour porpoises with significant quantities of sand eels (Ammodytidae), sprat (Sprattus sprattus), whiting (Merlangius merlangus), and herring (Clupea harengus), all known to be important prey for this species, with herring stocks showing signs of recovery following overfishing in the latter half of the last century (Santos and Pierce, 2003; Heessen et al., 2015; Evans and Waggitt, 2020a). Habitat associations with environmental features such as tidal currents have been shown in this area by a number of studies (see, for example, Marubini et al., 2009; Embling et al., 2010; Booth et al., 2013).
In the same areas where feeding aggregations of porpoises occur, minke whales have been observed lunge feeding on shoals of fish (Evans, 1997a, b; Macleod et al., 2004; Anderwald et al., 2011, 2012). Stomach contents analysis of minke whales from west Scottish waters has shown that the species commonly feeds upon sandeel, herring and sprat (Pierce et al., 2004). Collections of prey samples at the surface in close proximity to lunge-feeding minke whales have revealed the presence of sprat and young herring (Anderwald et al., 2011, 2012). Similarly, sightings of feeding humpback whales have been made on occasions in the shelf seas of the Hebrides, frequently accompanied by aggregations of minke whales; prey sample collections on the surface close by have confirmed sprat and young herring (Anderwald et al., 2011, 2012; Sea Watch Foundation sightings database). These have often also been associated with large schools of common dolphins or white-beaked dolphins (PGH Evans, pers. observ.).
Habitat Association modelling highlights the importance of the IMMA waters for harbour seals (Carter et al., 2022), with the majority of harbour seals that haul out in the IMMA also foraging within it. Scat analysis has shown that several fish species (cod (Gadus morhua), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), poor cod (Trisopterus minutus), sand eel (Ammodytidae), sea scorpion (Taurulus bubalis), dragonet (Callionymus lyra), ling (Molva molva), herring, and mackerel (Scomber scombrus)), that occur commonly in the region, are prevalent in their diet (Hammond and Wilson, 2016; Wilson and Hammond, 2019). Although grey seals range further on foraging trips than harbour seals, the habitat association modelling which were used to generate SAC-specific predictions of density, show that there are relatively high-density areas within the IMMA waters (see S10.1 in Carter et al. 2022).
Criterion D: Special Attributes
Sub-criterion D1: Distinctiveness
Between 2010 and 2013, a land-based and boat-based study of the Risso’s dolphin was carried out in nearshore waters around the Eye Peninsula located on north-east Lewis, Scotland (Hodgins et al., 2014). Three atypical individuals were photographed which exhibited morphological features intermediate between Risso’s dolphin and the common bottlenose dolphin. These individuals were typically larger in body size than Tursiops and had a dorsal fin shape and size consistent with Grampus.
Two individuals had coloration most like Tursiops and the third exhibited extensive white linear scarring consistent with Grampus. The intermediate morphology was most apparent in the head shape, with all three individuals exhibiting a defined (in contrast to Grampus) but very short (compared with Tursiops) rostrum and two having an unusually steep (compared with Tursiops) forehead. On one occasion, one of the atypical individuals was observed within a mixed-species school of Grampus and Tursiops. There were four further sightings of atypical dolphins associated with Tursiops-only schools. Atypical dolphins were not recorded within Grampus-only schools. These observations are consistent with hybridisation between free-ranging Risso’s and bottlenose dolphins, the first such occurrence to be documented for these species in UK waters (Hodgins et al., 2014). Since this initial occurrence, further observed occurrences supporting the possibility of the presence of intergeneric hybrids, putative bottlenose dolphin hybridization with Risso’s dolphins, as well as mixed-species groups containing individuals from both species, have been reported in adjacent waters off eastern Lewis and off the west coast of the Scottish mainland (Bertulli, 2018; van Geel et al., 2022).
Sub-criterion D2: Diversity
Twenty-three marine mammal species (twenty-one cetaceans and two seal species) have been recorded in the proposed area, making it one of the most species diverse of any in the British Isles (Evans & Waggitt, 2020b).
Nine species are regular inhabitants of this IMMA. They include grey seals, harbour seals, harbour porpoises common bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, white-beaked dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, minke whales, and killer whales, all of which have been observed in most months of the year (Boran et al., 1999; Evans et al., 2003; Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, 2018; Weir et al., 2019; Evans & Waggitt, 2020; Waggitt et al., 2020). Many of these have been detailed above in relation to aggregations, feeding, and reproductive behaviours.
For at least four decades, a pod of killer whales (Orcinus orca), numbering 20 individuals in the 1980s and now apparently reduced to two mature males, has also regularly inhabited the Hebrides where they have been observed killing porpoises and seals (Evans, 1988; Bolt et al., 2009; Beck et al., 2014; Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, 2018). This pod, referred to as the West Coast Community, has been suggested to be distinct from other killer whale populations (Beck et al., 2014). Occasionally, other small pods of killer whales have also been observed in the region.
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), although rare in the area, are being sighted more frequently in recent years (Leaper et al., 2022). While the regular residents are largely shelf sea species, within the area are several basins with depths of between 100 and 200 metres, resulting in occasional visits from deep-water species: Atlantic white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus), long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus), Sowerby’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis).
Supporting Information
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