Marine Mammal Scientific Support to Scottish Government
In 2015 the Sea Mammal Research Unit started a major new strategic marine mammal research project funded by the Scottish Government. This project is now in it’s fourth phase, and continues to provide advice to Scottish Ministers and stakeholders across a range of key marine policy areas. Phases 1-3 (2015-2025) included work under the following themes: i) cetacean abundance and distribution, ii) interactions between marine mammals and marine renewable energy, iii) investigation of the harbour seal decline and iv) seal/fisheries.
The current phase (Phase 4: 2025-2028) comprises work under two major themes:
- Pressures faced by marine mammals:
- underwater noise
- health and disease
- Seal management issues:
- seal/salmon interactions
- seal haul out designations
- seal diet
The programme also includes the provision of general advice to the Scottish Government on emerging policy and conservation issues.
Recent annual reports from this research programme can be found below:
2025 annual report (year 1 of Phase 4)
2024 annual report (year 5 of Phase 3)
2023 annual report (year 4 of Phase 3)
Other outputs from this programme can be found below:
Seals and fisheries interactions:
Gillespie, D., Harris, R.N., Sparling, C. (2026), Triggered deterrence of seals from a salmon river using imaging sonar, ICES Journal of Marine Science, Volume 83, Issue 6, June 2026, fsag098, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsag098
Thompson et al 2021
A. Coram, V. Ragnarsson, L. Thomas and C. E. Sparling (2021) Aquaculture – use and efficacy of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs): report to the Scottish Government
Rob/Isla seal salmon papers
Marine Renewable Energy:
Montabaranom et al (2026)
Montabaranom et al (2025)
HICUP papers
Joe’s papers
other reports…
Harbour Seal Decline:
Arso-Civil et al
HAB papers