Risso's dolphin
Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) are typically associated with deep offshore waters, yet in Scotland—particularly along the west coast and around the Minch and the east coast of the Outer Hebrides—they are regularly found in shallow coastal waters, sometimes less than 20 metres deep.
The Minch is a globally important habitat, supporting Risso’s dolphins year-round for feeding, socialising, and breeding. Central to this area is the North-east Lewis Marine Protected Area (MPA), designated in 2020 to protect the species and its prey. Despite this designation, no management plan is currently in place, and concerns remain about dolphin welfare and long-term population viability.
Dolphins using the MPA face ongoing pressures, including vessel disturbance, entanglement risk, and changes in prey availability linked to environmental change and fishing activity. These pressures can cause injury, behavioural change, and increased stress, ultimately affecting survival and reproduction.
Using natural markings, photo-identification provides a non-invasive, welfare-focused monitoring tool. MARA researchers have been studying Risso's dolphins off the west coast of Scotland since 2010. To date we have identified 366 individual Risso’s dolphins through dedicated, year-round boat-based surveys and the support of members of the public.
This work is supported by NatureScot and protecting dolphin welfare underpins both the motivation for this project and the methods used.
Relevant scientific publications: -
Hodgins, N.K. (2025). Cetacean monitoring in the North Minch. NatureScot Research Report 1369.
