Minke Whale - Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) are a medium sized whale, around 7-10m in length. The key identification features are their sleek, long bodies with a distinctive curved 'sickle-shaped' dorsal fin around two-thirds of the way down their back (fig. 1) (Couzens et al, 2023). Minke whale are typically seen as individuals or in loose groups of 2-3, and their diet mainly consists of fish such as herring, sandeel, code and haddock (Evans, Anderwald & Hepworth, 2008).

Range & Distribution:
Minke whale can be seen along the Grampian coast between March and August, with peak numbers between June-August (fig. 2 & 4) (Evans, Anderwald & Hepworth, 2008). The abundance of Minke Whale in the North Sea is considered stable (fig. 3).

Factors Affecting Species:
Entaglement in fishing gear, particularly creel lines, is the most common documented anthropogenic cause of minke whale mortality in Scottish waters, with an estimated 30 minke whale entangled each year (Leaper et al, 2022; Northridge et al, 2010). Noise disturbance can also impact minke whale, potentially interrupting feeding or breeding activities or even leading to avoidance of an area altogether (NatureScot, 2023).

Conservation Status:
UK Biodiversity Action Plan: Priority Marine Species (BRIG, 2007)
Scottish Biodiversity List: Priority Species (NatureScot, 2020)
Minke whale are a European Protected Species, protected from deliberate and reckless injury or disturbance. They are also a Priority Marine Feature (PMF) in Scotland , considered to be a species of priority in marine nature conservation (NatureScot, 2023).

Report any cetacean sightings to the SeaWatch Foundation or NESBReC via the links below.