The Latest Breaking News from SMASS

Changes to whale feeding ground may raise risk of mass strandings – study

Scientists at the University of Glasgow have shed light on one of Scotland’s biggest mass stranding events.

Evening Standard · Apr 29

Dramatic rise in whale and dolphin strandings in Scotland

Research shows steep increases over past 30 years, after summer of strandings across Europe

The Guardian - UK · Aug 20, 2025

Experts baffled as rarely seen beaked whales involved in series of strandings

Incidents across northern Europe on 26 and 27 July have left scientists trying to understand why so many of the deep-diving whales have appeared

The Guardian - UK · Jul 30, 2025

Pod of more than 50 pilot whales dies after mass stranding

Only one whale managed to refloat.

The Independent UK · Jul 16, 2023

Concerns raised after seal shot in the face at Scottish fish farm

THE killing of a seal at an Orkney fish farm was not a “proportional and justifiable response” and may have breached the law, according to a…

The National (Scotland) · Jun 18, 2023

Seven dead whales wash up on UK beaches as experts speak out on 'rare' incidents

A spate of large dead whales that have washed ashore around the UK - more than half of them in Scotland - appear unrelated, say experts. But the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR_ organisation said it was a "rare occurrence" to have

Daily Mirror · May 19, 2023

Beached whale had lesions which suggested entanglement, expert says

On Sunday, a badly decomposed whale carcass was found washed up on a North Berwick beach, the third washed up whale in Scotland within the past month.

The Independent UK · May 9, 2023

Whale washes up on beach as locals urged to avoid rotting corpse

A dead minke whale was discovered on the sands at North Berwick, in East Lothian with locals told to keep away from the creature before it was finally carted off by tractor and trailer

Daily Mirror · May 9, 2023

Minke whale washes up on Scots beach as council urges locals to avoid decomposing carcass

Council officials issued a warning to those visiting the beach in North Berwick after discovering the grizzly sight on the morning of Sunday, May 7.

Daily Record · May 8, 2023

Humpback whale found on Scots beach died 'after getting tangled in creel lines'

When fully grown the mammals can reach up to 56 feet (17 metres) in length and may live for around 50 years.

Daily Record · May 5, 2023