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By Adam CivicoFebruary 25th 2026

UHI Shetland and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation called on the public to share photos of Risso’s dolphins. Catherine Munro ventured out in the hope of spotting one of the beautiful marine mammals.

Part of Shetland's magic is the way an ordinary day can be transformed by the wonders of our natural world.

The waters around our islands are a favourite place for many species of whales and dolphins. The possibility of such encounters is increased by the dedication of many residents who share their sightings across social media, so that others can have a chance to see them.

But witnessing cetaceans in our waters isn’t only a joyful experience; our photographs can help influence conservation measures that benefit these beautiful animals.

Memories of an orca experience

I walked down the narrow path to the beach. Clouds hung heavy over the hills, darkening an already dreich winter’s day. A steel grey sea carried fast-moving white horses, their bright bodies lit by an invisible sun.

I scanned the water, looking for signs of movement, worrying I was too late, that I had missed them. Suddenly, a huge fin rose from the water, and I realised there was a bull orca just a few feet away from me.

I heard him breathe, spray meeting spindrift and smirr, carried with the wind, merging with the air around me. Momentarily joining our worlds. He moved towards me, another breath, before descending into the depths.

A few seconds later, he resurfaced, joined by three more. One was young, moving in unison alongside their mother. They circled the bay, surfacing regularly, before turning and heading out to sea. The people gathered by the shore talked excitedly about the encounter.

In spring 2004 the waters around Shetland were designated as an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA). Our northerly latitude, exposure to Atlantic currents and diverse types of habitat create an ideal place for these animals.

Species regularly seen include orca, humpback whale, minke whale, Risso’s dolphins and porpoises in the seas around Shetland.

The data proving Shetland’s importance for these sea mammals, and making the case for the IMMA designation, was a collaborative effort between scientists and local communities. Formal scientific studies can provide important snapshots and answer specific questions, but they can’t always generate long-term data from multiple locations.

This makes 'citizen science', reported observations from communities, an important part of their information gathering.

There are many ways that you can get involved in assisting with this important research into our sea mammals.

One such campaign takes place in early 2026. The University of Highlands and Islands Shetland and the charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation are asking people to share their photos of Risso’s dolphins.

“Photographs taken by the public can provide invaluable data” said Dr Emily Hague, marine mammal researcher at UHI Shetland. “Every image of a dorsal fin could help us recognise an individual dolphin and build a clearer picture of how Risso’s dolphins use waters around the region”.

Important waters

These medium-sized dolphins spend much of their time in deep water where they hunt for squid. This makes it harder for researchers to gather data on their lives and habits. This is why the waters around Shetland are particularly important.

It is one of the few places where they are regularly seen close to shore. There is still much to be learned about this species, and the team is hoping photos from the public will aid their ongoing research. The photographs don’t have to be professional quality; even blurry ones could reveal useful information. They are looking for any photographs taken of Risso’s dolphins taken around Shetland, Orkney or Northeast Scotland.

These don’t have to be recent pictures, but each submission should include details of where it was taken, the date it was taken and how many individuals they think were in the group. It is especially helpful if all photographs from an encounter are shared, as this helps researchers understand how many animals are in a group and how they might interact with one another.

Researchers are hoping to use the photos they receive to identify individuals, track their movements between sites, estimate population size, understand population trends in the area and monitor site fidelity and habitat use.

Where sometimes we may feel disappointed looking back on photographs of an amazing sea mammal encounter, finding many pictures only showing a dorsal fin and little of the body, these photos are still valuable to researchers. One of the distinguishing features of Risso’s dolphins is their scars.

They get scratches from social interactions with other Risso’s dolphins and sometimes as a result of hunting squid. When the scratches heal, the area loses pigment, creating white scars against their dark bodies. Older individuals can have such an accumulation of scars that they appear almost white.

The particular patterns of scars are unique to each animal, and researchers can use this for identification. Researchers are hoping to use the photos they receive to identify individuals, track their movements between sites, estimate population size, understand population trends in the area and monitor site fidelity and habitat use.

For people interested in providing additional citizen science data to assist cetacean conservation science there are other opportunities in the islands.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation offer regular training sessions for shorewatch volunteers, when you can learn how to identify the sea mammals you might encounter in Shetland and how to conduct regular surveys.

Reporting sightings

Once trained on species identification and the ways to report sightings, volunteers get given the codes for lock boxes across Shetland. Inside these boxes is everything required to complete a survey. Specialised binoculars that help record the exact position of a sighting, timers and paper and pen for anybody not using the app for reporting.

This makes volunteering more accessible as people don’t need to buy expensive equipment and it also means if you happen to be passing a watch location and have some time it is easy to complete a quick survey. Surveys are more than just looking out to sea to record any mammals you notice. For the data to be useful in understanding an area’s ecology, the processes need to be consistent. Surveys take place from set locations, for exactly 10 minutes, with a set time assigned for each visible area of ocean. If you don’t see anything, you still report the survey as this builds a picture of how often people are looking and what is seen during these times.

With seven designated areas in Shetland, there are many opportunities to conduct surveys, with each place offering a different experience. Although it is always exciting to see something and record it, even when you have nothing to report, it is also a lovely way to spend time outdoors.

When life is busy, and there always seems to be more tasks than time allows, taking a small break to look out to sea can be very relaxing. While you might not always see a whale or a dolphin, it is an opportunity to feel wind and weather, to notice the changing seasons and the birds and flowers in the landscape.

It is also an important way to be part of something. Each survey is a small part of a larger picture, a contribution to a greater understanding of the beautiful and varied lives around us.

Discover more about Shetland's remarkable marine wildlife.

Adam Civico

Adam Civico is Head of Content Marketing at NB Communication, helping deliver the Promote Shetland service.

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