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LDRS23 pilot whales beached in the north of Sanday this summer. Image: Emma Neave-Webb. LDRS<\/p>\nScotland\u2019s first Whale Stranding Protocol is being developed at Orkney Islands Council. <\/p>\n
Orkney Islands Council has drawn up a strategy setting out what actions should be taken when whale strandings occur in the county.<\/p>\n
Sadly, such strandings are not uncommon in the isles.<\/p>\n
This month saw at least 23 pilot whales beach in the Orkney island of Sanday, at Roos.<\/p>\n
In July 2024, there was an even bigger mass stranding when 77 pilot whales stranded on the same island, at Tresness.<\/p>\n
LDRS23 pilot whales beached in the north of Sanday this summer. Image: Emma Neave-Webb. LDRS<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, the strandings coordinator at the International Whaling Commission and Sanday resident Emma Neave-Webb described the island as \u201ca bit of a whale trap\u201d.<\/p>\n
Smaller incidents have also occurred recently on islands like North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray.<\/p>\n
Following Sanday\u2019s strandings, decisions had to be made on what to do with the carcasses.<\/p>\n
This required a joint effort from a variety of organisations and the local community.<\/p>\n
Last year, the decison was made to bury the deceased whales.<\/p>\n
This year, it was decided that the deceased animals should be left where they were.<\/p>\n
In response to these events, the council is now in the process of drawing up a protocol for dealing with marine mammal strandings.<\/p>\n
Thought by the council to be the first of its kind in Scotland, the protocol will set out a procedure for how stranded whales should be dealt with, the decision-making process around this, and the roles played by the various organisations involved.<\/p>\n
It will also cover \u201ccommunity considerations, disposal options, landowner duties and communication and media.\u201d<\/p>\n
These organisations being involved in the development of the protocol includes NatureScot, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), International Whaling Commission Strandings Initiative (IWC Strandings Initiative), Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS), NHS Orkney Public Health, local elected members and community representatives, residents in the area and the landowners of the site<\/p>\n
The council has said, while strandings can be commonplace, mass strandings present \u201cunique sets of challenges for those responding to the incident\u201d.<\/p>\n
The ultimate decision on what to do with the whale carcasses depends on several factors.<\/p>\n
As it stands, the exact details of the protocol are yet to be signed off.<\/p>\n
Hayley Green is the council\u2019s corporate Director for Infrastructure and Organisational Development.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cFormulating this has of course been an offshoot of the two recent incidents<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, it\u2019s also a community-driven thing, and very much reflects the learning we have done between us.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery stranding we\u2019ve dealt over the years has its own circumstances.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis means we\u2019re learning and developing that response all the time<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a number of organisations and statutory agencies involved and it\u2019s about bringing all that expertise, knowledge, advice and skills together and making sure that we\u2019re working in the most respectful and effective way to come up with the best solution in what can be very emotive and upsetting circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n
Councillor Stephen Clackson represents the county\u2019s north isle ward and lives in Sanday.<\/p>\n
Dr Clackson referenced the protocol in his monthly newsletter. In it, he said it will mark a \u201csignificant step forward in coordinated stranding responses\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhale strandings tend to happen out of the blue \u2013 quite literally\u201d, he said<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, it is useful for all the agencies to know in advance what is expected of them and what to do when they do happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the beaching on Sanday last year was a wake-up call, especially given the scale of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time, we were metaphorically drafting the definitive textbook on how to deal effectively and efficiently with a large number of beached whales as we went along.<\/p>\n
Dr Clackson was asked how such strandings affect local communities when they occur.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cLast year\u2019s beaching did affect parts of the community because of its size and location and the need to deploy local folk to help to move the carcasses some distance across the island to bury them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year\u2019s smaller stranding has not been so disruptive, because the carcasses are out of the way and do not present any nuisance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tom Hadley is the Orkney Area Coordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cMass strandings are inherently complex incidents that demand a coordinated, multi-partnership response.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Orkney, this is further complicated by the unique geography of the archipelago, which often means we rely even more heavily on our communities and partner organisations to respond effectively to rapidly evolving situations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a real positive to work alongside Orkney Islands Council and contribute to the development of this protocol.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe it will strengthen our collective ability to respond even more efficiently in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Work on the council\u2019s protocol is continuing, and it is hoped to have a document published in due course.<\/p>\n
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