The distribution of seabirds and marine mammals in the Atlantic Frontier , north and west of Scotland .

Abstract

Surveys were conducted in waters north and west of Scotland, with emphasis on the deep waters of the continental slope where licences have been awarded for oil and gas exploration. - All data from surveys between 1979 to 1999 were used to compile this report. - The main objective was to gain information on seabird and cetacean dispersion patterns along the continental slope, particularly in the offshore blocks licensed in the 17 th and earlier rounds. - A secondary objective was to census several important seabird colonies nearest the licensed areas. The results are dealt with in detail elsewhere. - Twenty-three species of seabirds breed in the study area, 21 in internationally important numbers.