About Us

The north-east coast of Scotland is relatively species-rich area for marine mammals. Since 1990, there have been 15 cetacean (whale, dolphin or porpoise) and two pinniped (seal) species recorded in our near-shore waters. Of these, several occur regularly either as year-round residents or seasonal visitors.

However, as most of these species are fairly wide ranging and spend a considerable amount of time beneath the waves, there is still a lot to learn about their ecology! The Aberdeen Marine Mammal Project (AMMP) aims to a initiate long-term, dedicated monitoring programme for marine mammals using our waters. This is particularly important given the high level of potential overlap these animals have with human activities.

Project Coordinator

Research Profile

Contact Sarah

Dr Sarah Marley

I am a Senior Lecturer in Ecology at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), based at the Aberdeen Campus. My research focuses on marine mammal ecology, particularly aspects of animal behaviour, underwater acoustics, and human impacts. I also have a passion for science communication and enjoy encouraging others to get enthusiastic about the natural world. Originally from Aberdeen, after several years overseas I'm delighted to be back studying marine mammals in my home town!

Research Team

Claire Stainfield

Claire is an experienced marine scientist, with several years of experience wrestling and researching seals around the world, from Antarctica to Galapagos. Currently, she is studying a PhD at SRUC investigating the sustainability of seal tourism in the Ythan Estuary.

Contact Claire

Amber Anderson

Amber is undertaking a BSc (Hons) Wildlife & Conservation Management at SRUC. Her Honours project is utilising dedicated versus opportunistic dolphin data collected by AMMP and the WDC Shorewatch project.

Isobel Anderson

Izzy is undertaking an MSci Marine and Freshwater Biology at the University of Glasgow and joined AMMP for her placement year in 2024-25. Her research project investigated seal haul-out and vigilance behaviour at Donmouth Local Nature Reserve.

Field Assistants and Interns

Finley Bruce
Vanesa Conjar
Nat Eaves
Jane Evans

Giverny Fitzgerald
Grace Green
Craig Henderson
Mike Raby

Adam Robertson
Kirsty Tapp
Charlotte Wood

Funders

British Ecological Society

The British Ecological Society (BE have provided a small research grant to support the launch of Seal Snap, a citizen-science project monitoring urban seals at Donmouth Local Nature Reserve.

Sea-Changers

Sea-Changers are supporting Claire Stainfield's PhD project that involves conducting drone surveys to gather data on the environmental factors influencing seal haul-out behaviour at Newburgh Beach. This funding directly supports the drone observers and helps early-career marine biologists develop key fieldwork skills.

SMEEF

The Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) support a joint project between the University of St Andrews and SRUC that is piloting an autonomous camera monitoring system for seals at Newburgh Beach.

SRUC

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) cover tuition fees and stipend for Claire Stainfield's PhD.

Past Students

Giverny Maidlow Fitzgerald

Giv completed a BSc (Hons) Wildlife & Conservation Management at SRUC in 2025. Her Honours project investigated foraging behaviour of dolphins within Aberdeen Harbour.

Nadia Murphy

Nadia completed a MSc Environmental Protection and Management at University of Edinburgh and SRUC in 2024. Her Masters project examined the response of dolphins to vessel traffic within Aberdeen Harbour.

Iona Macloud

Iona completed a BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation Management at SRUC in 2023. Her Honours project investigated the environmental and anthropogenic drivers of dolphin occurrence within Aberdeen Harbour.

Past Field Assistants and Interns

Ethan Brooks
Andy Haines
Bethany James

Kirsty Melville
Naomi Smith

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