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 thoughout 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.
Marine Mammals
Did you know that almost a quarter of world's whale, dolphin and porpoise species have been recoreded 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 and elusive visitors. It isn’t just an important area for cetaceans, but for basking sharks and other marine megafauna too.For the past 15 years, HWDT have been monitoring this important area to provide the evidence needed to develop effective conservation measures to protect Scotland’s remarkable marine wildlife for future generations. Now, for the first time, we have compiled all of this knowledge in our Hebridean Marine Mammal Atlas series.
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).
Marine Crustaceans
Crabs, langoustine and lobster fishing.
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 thoughout 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.
Marine Mammals
Did you know that almost a quarter of world's whale, dolphin and porpoise species have been recoreded 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 and elusive visitors. It isn’t just an important area for cetaceans, but for basking sharks and other marine megafauna too.For the past 15 years, HWDT have been monitoring this important area to provide the evidence needed to develop effective conservation measures to protect Scotland’s remarkable marine wildlife for future generations. Now, for the first time, we have compiled all of this knowledge in our Hebridean Marine Mammal Atlas series.
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).
Marine Crustaceans
Crabs, langoustine and lobster fishing.
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