Minke whale research in the Moray Firth

In 2000, the CRRU began a pilot study of the minke whales encountered annually in the coastal waters of the southern outer Moray Firth; the regular sightings of these animals providing an excellent opportunity for a behavioural and ecological investigation of the species. Whilst much was known about these whales on the West Coast of Scotland, suprisingly no research had been carried out in this area of the North Sea.

The pilot studies revealed an interesting distribution and fidelity of minkes using the outer southern coastline, but subsequently led to further questions about the Moray Firth minkes by the CRRU research team. Considered to be of conservation priority under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, a better knowledge of the behaviour and biology of the species and its role in this area of NE Scotland would ultimately be important for the future protection and conservation of these northeast rorqual whales.