Scotland’s west coast seas are a vitally important area for minke whales – with some of these spectacular but vulnerable marine mammals notching up Europe’s longest sighting histories of almost 30 years, research by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, shows.

A newly published digital catalogue bringing together photographic identification records submitted by members of the public over three decades – shows that more than 300 individual minke whales have been identified in the Hebrides since 1990. A third (33%) have been seen more than once – some over many years and others numerous times.

A minke whale named Snowy has visited the region over an astonishing 27-year period – the longest known history of sightings for this species in Europe. A whale known as Knobble holds the title for the most frequently recorded minke whale in the Hebrides, having been spotted more than 60 times since 2002, mostly in waters around the Isle of Mull.

Image from Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust https://hwdt.org/catalogue-minke-whale

Minke whales migrate to western Scotland’s seas each summer to feed in the exceptionally rich waters. The substantial timespan of the research is shedding new light on their lives, and is building a long-term picture about their numbers, range and behaviour, and how best to protect them.

While some minke whales have only been recorded once so far, more photographs – whether past or present – from the public will help researchers establish if these individuals have also been making return visits or were just passing through Scottish waters.

Thousands of photographs each year are shared with the Trust by the public and wildlife-watching crews through a community sightings website and the free Whale Track app. Photographs are also collected by volunteers during the trust’s research expeditions on its research yacht Silurian. Researchers then use the images to look for specific markings or features to identify and catalogue individual whales, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks seen in the region. The new online catalogue is helping the Trust’s scientists assess the health of the whales, and threats facing them. Scars and injuries have revealed that 22% of minke whales have at some point been entangled in marine litter and fishing gear, which can cause mobility problems, injury and even death.

The trust is asking for members of the public to submit their photos – whether recent or historic – to help its scientists learn more about the whales’ movements, health and the threats they face.

To explore the minke whale catalogue click here.

To join the Whale Track community coordinated by the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust click here and to look at the sightings map click here.