Increase in dead whales
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A RECORD number of whales and dolphins were stranded around Scotland last year and the Sutherland coast saw its fair share.
The organisation that investigates the deaths of cetaceans on Scotland's coast said it is still probing the mysterious stranding of scores of deep diving whales that washed up along a wide stretch of the west coast.
The Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS), which has been in operation since 1992, said more than 930 cases were reported in 2018.
Inverness-based SMASS said the increase was likely down to an "improved effort" to alert it to dead or beached animals.
As well as whales and dolphins, SMASS records the deaths of other marine animals such as seals and porpoises.
SMASS said it had seen a year-on-year increase in all animal strandings for almost 10 years.
It said this was largely due to better public awareness and reporting, rather than a problem with the world's oceans.
There were just 204 cases in 2009.
Last year's strandings included almost 100 beaked whales in August and September.
This event, which involved whales stranding along Scotland's west coast and also on the shore of Ireland and Northern Ireland, was the largest of its kind ever recorded, said SMASS.
Most of the whales, mainly deep-diving Cuvier's beaked whales, washed up in Scotland, including in North Uist and Harris and parts of Argyll.
At the time some experts speculated that increased naval sonar activity may have been to blame. The MoD has denied any involvement but has been asked for more information. Tests have ruled out a naturally occurring virus.
