Priority marine life catalogued

Illustrated with photos and maps, the catalogue describes Scotland’s 81 Priority Marine Features (PMFs). PMFs are the habitats and species considered to be conservation priorities in Scottish waters, many of which are star attractions for thousands of wildlife tourists that visit Scotland each year.

Our coasts and seas are home to around 8,000 animal and plant species and the PMF list is used to help target marine conservation work in Scotland. The list includes 55 species, ranging from small and relatively stationary creatures such as the heart cockle, fireworks anemone and northern feather star, to large highly mobile animals like the minke whale, Risso’s dolphin and common skate. The 26 habitat types on the list include maerl and flame shell beds, serpulid aggregations, cold-water coral reefs and seamount communities.

The descriptions cover each feature’s characteristics, environmental preferences, distribution and status. Morven Carruthers, who managed the project for SNH, said:

“This publication is aimed at anyone who wants to know more about our Priority Marine Features, from specialists to students and enthusiastic amateurs. Scotland’s seas are amongst the most biologically productive in the world and the catalogue gives a real flavour of the extraordinary diversity of life they support. It’s also a reminder of how vulnerable marine life can be and the importance of balancing human activities at sea.”

The catalogue features a rich mix of sea life, with exotic names that roll off the tongue, such as coral gardens, flame shell beds and pink sea fingers; and more scientific names, such as tide-swept coarse sands with burrowing bivalves. It includes delicate filter feeders, like the tall seapen and northern sea fan; and fierce predators like the killer whale and the black scabbardfish.

There are some surprisingly unfamiliar species, like the leafscale gulper shark and the round-nose grenadier; as well as plenty of well-known animals, such as otters, bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic salmon, sperm whales, basking sharks and cod, which make Scotland such an attractive destination for wildlife tourists.

Produced in partnership with Marine Scotland and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Descriptions of Scottish Priority Marine Features can be downloaded free of charge from the SNH website.