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Marine Life in the Outer Hebrides
The marine life found across the Outer Hebrides is influenced by the the geological landscape and ocean currents. Due to the position of the islands on the western margin of the European continental shelf, the coastal waters and influenced by the Gulf stream. The Gulf Stream brings warm water from across the Atlantic that may also influence the marine species found across the coast throughout the year and during certain periods throughout the year. Marine life encompasses all the plants, animals and other organisms that live in the salt water. This is in contrast to the freshwater organisms. Aquatic plants and algae The coasts of the Outer Hebrides are an area of importance for seaweeds in the United Kingdom. The first studies of the marine algae in the Outer Hebrides were included in a 19th century account of the plants. There are over 12,000 species of seaweed growing worldwide. A great deal has been learned about the seaweed in the islands. Seaweed is an abundant resource, used in food preparation and for seaweed harvesting. Marine Mammals Did you know that almost a quarter of world's whale, dolphin and porpoise species have been recorded in the Hebridean seas? Some of these species live here all year round, some migrate into our waters year after year, and others are rare visitors. For the past 15 years, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) have been monitoring the waters of the Hebrides to provide the evidence needed for effective conservation measures to protect Scotland’s remarkable marine wildlife. Over the last 15 years, a number of species have been identified: minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus), harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), killer whale (Orcinus orca), risso's dolpin (Grampus griseus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), long-fined pilot whale (Globicephala melas), Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), sunfish (Mola mola), white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), and Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris). Not all marine mammals live in the waters of the Outer Hebrides year round. Some migrate yearly (common dolphins, Risso dolphins, Atlantic white-sided dolphins and Minke Whale), some rarely (humpback whales) and others live in the waters year round (Scottish common seals, grey seals, harbour porpoises, sea otters, bottle-nosed dolphins, and pilot whales). Crustaceans of the Outer Hebrides The rocky shores that encompass the islands of the Hebrides can be severe natural environments due to the intensity and frequency of storms, tidal nature and high salinity. These environments are home to a variety of crustaceans including crabs, prawns, langoustine and lobsters. These three types of crustaceans are fished across the islands of the Outer Hebrides. Common crab species along the coast include the shore crab (Carcinus maenus) and the velvet swimming crab (Necora puber). The shore crab can grow up to 6 cm in carapace (the hard upper shell) length. The velvet swimming crab can be identified in part by their red eyes and flattened rear legs and can also grow up to 6 cm in carapace length. Prawns (Palaemon elegans) are naturally scavengers that can grow up to 7cm. Langoustines (Nephrops norvegicus), also referred to as scampi, Norway lobster and Dublin Bay prawn. While often referred to as prawns, langoustines are more closely related to lobsters. Langoustines are found where there is suitable muddy sediment and in shallow coastal waters a few metres deep and in sea lochs. Scotland contributes to about 1/3 of the total catch of langoustines worldwide. The European Lobster (Homarus gammarus) can grow up to one metre in length, but is more commonly found to grow to 50 cm. These lobsters are often found on rocky substrata, living in holes and in excavated tunnels from the lower shore to about 60 m depth. Do you want to find out more about the marine wildlife of the Outer Hebrides? Then follow these links to find out more: https://hebrideanhopscotch.com/wildlife-outer-hebrides/ https://www.western-isles-wildlife.com/mammals_outer_hebrides.html https://hwdt.org/hebridean-marine-mammal-atlas www.ohbr.org.uk/documents/leaflets/seashore%20compact.pdf www.nature.scot/plants-animals-and-fungi/mammals/marine-mammals/dolphins-whales-and-porpoises |
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