For six months of the year, ORCA volunteers survey marine life on many of CalMac’s vessels and routes, with the 2025 observation period producing insightful results into the changing behaviours of the marine life around the vessels.
As part of the CalMac Marine Awareness Programme, every year the transport company partners with ORCA, the Ocean Research & Conservation Association, to support them in their observation work tracking marine life in the west of Scotland waters.
Highlights captured on routes throughout 2025 include:
• 1,589 individual animals recorded throughout the year – almost double that of 2024
• 10 different marine species seen, including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sharks – this is two fewer species than in 2024
• Common dolphins were the most recorded species, with 1,147 individual dolphins seen throughout the year and recorded across our routes. This is more than double the number recorded in 2024 (565) and could suggest a northwards shift in distribution
• An increase in sightings of minke whales – 73 in 2025, 20 in 2024. With the common dolphin sightings also increasing this year, these species may be having similar responses to environmental conditions
• A pod of 5 orcas/killer whales were seen in July on the Uig-Lochmaddy-Tarbert route
• The most productive surveys were the July and October Ullapool-Stornoway surveys, where more than 100 animals were recorded on each survey
Some facts that helped record these numbers:
• A total distance of 5,509 km was travelled while surveying
• 37 surveys were conducted between March and October across 7 different routes
• 139 ORCA volunteer Marine Mammal Surveyors took part in the exercise
