McAllister, Mia; Henry, Lea-Anne; Benjamins, Steven; Masden, Elizabeth; Montabaranom, Jessica; Gillespie, Douglas; Hastie, Gordon; Vad, Johanne; Green, Millie; Thorpe, Andrew; Gates, Andrew R; Harris, Lucy; Thorburn, James (2026): Occurrence and distribution of elasmobranchs with offshore energy infrastructure in Scotland's North Sea and west of Shetland: a multi-source data collation from 1993-2025 [dataset]. PANGAEA, https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.995900 (DOI registration in progress)
Always quote citation above when using data! You can download the citation in several formats below.
Published: 2026-08-21
Abstract:
This dataset presents collated observations of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays) associated with offshore energy infrastructure in Scotland's central and northern North Sea and west of Shetland, spanning 1993 to 2025. Data were compiled from five broad 'data streams': systematic literature search and trade publications, Environmental Impact Assessments and industry reports, industry-academic project collaborations, industry-held survey data, and citizen science and social media. Data collation was conducted between July 2025 and April 2026. Observations were extracted from a range of sources within each 'data stream' including Remotely Operated Vehicle footage, multibeam SONAR detections, surface observations, aerial surveys, and Baited Remote Underwater Video. The dataset was compiled to address a critical knowledge gap in elasmobranch occurrence, distribution, and interactions with offshore energy infrastructure in this region, forming a component of the SharkScape Project - a research initiative aimed at filling key knowledge gaps in elasmobranch biology, ecology, and distribution in Scotland's North Sea. Records were standardised to common parameters including species, number of observations, sex, coordinates, depth, date, behaviour, habitat type, and data collection method.
Supplement to:
McAllister, Mia; Henry, Lea-Anne; Thorburn, James (in prep.): Occurrence, distribution, and interactions of elasmobranchs with offshore energy infrastructure in Scotland’s North Sea and west of Shetland.
Source:
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Jones, Daniel O B; Gates, Andrew R; Lausen, B (2012): Recovery of deep-water megafaunal assemblages from hydrocarbon drilling disturbance in the Faroe−Shetland Channel. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 461, 71-82, https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09827 (Jones et al. (2012))
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nakeddiver71 (2010): Fulmar shark (2010, October 11) [audiovisual]. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDLlfifasi4 (Nakeddiver71 (2010))
Natural Power Consultants Ltd. (2015): Lashy Sound, Orkney, Bird and Marine Mammal Surveys 24 Month Report: March 2013 to February 2015. Document Reference No. 1064392. Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd., 21/04/2015. Available at: https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/details/CES-201/2013-2015-natural-power-lashy-sound-ornithology-and-marine-mammal-surveys, https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/details/CES-201/2013-2015-natural-power-lashy-sound-ornithology-and-marine-mammal-surveys (Natural Power Consultants (2015))
Ocean Infinity (2023): West of Orkney Offshore EIA Report Volume 2, Supporting Study 5: Benthic Environmental Baseline Report. Document No. 104164-TOT-OI-SUR-REP-ENVBASRE. TotalEnergies E&P UK (TEPUK), 21/04/2023. Available at: https://marine.gov.scot/?q=node/24472. Available in: Supporting Study 5, https://marine.gov.scot/sites/default/files/supporting_study_5_-_benthic_environmental_baseline_report_redacted.pdf (Ocean Infinity (2023))
RPS (2011): Inner Sound tidal energy project: Distribution and abundance of marine mammals and basking sharks in the Inner Sound and Wider Pentland Firth and Orkney waters. Report No. EOR0602-R-02-02. MeyGen Ltd, November 2011. Available at: https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/details/CES-126/2009-2011-rps-inner-sound-bird-and-mammal-survey/packages/553?directory=%2F&type=Report#downloads, https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/details/CES-126/2009-2011-rps-inner-sound-bird-and-mammal-survey/packages/553?directory=%2F&type=Report#downloads (RPS (2011))
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Thorpe, Andrew (2022): The North Sea Bird Club 1979-2019: Birds, bats and beasties - forty years of offshore wildlife recording. North Sea Bird Club, Abederdeen, UK, 240, https://www.nhbs.com/the-north-sea-bird-club-1979-2019-book (Thorpe (2022))
Vad, Johanne; Kazanidis, Georgios; Henry, Lea-Anne; Jones, Daniel O B; Gates, Andrew R; Roberts, J Murray (2019): Environmental controls and anthropogenic impacts on deep-sea sponge grounds in the Faroe-Shetland Channel, NE Atlantic: the importance of considering spatial scale to distinguish drivers of change. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 77(1), 451-461, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsz185 (Vad et al. (2020))
References:
European Environment Agency (EEA) (2022): EUNIS 2022 habitat type hierarchical view (marine version 2022 & terrestrial version 2021). European Environment Agency, European Nature Information System (EUNIS), https://biodiversity.europa.eu/resources/search-habitat/eunis-habitat-types-hierarchical-view-2021-2022 (EEA (2022); accessed: 20 April, 2026)
European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC); Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) Ltd. (2013): Fall of Warness wildlife observations methodology (GUIDE017-01) [dataset]. Available at: https://data.marine.gov.scot/dataset/european-marine-energy-centre-fall-warness-wildlife-observation-data, https://data.marine.gov.scot/sites/default/files//Fall%20of%20Warness%20Observation%20Methodology%20GUIDE017-01%2020130327.pdf (EMEC & SMRU (2013))
Gillespie, Douglas; Hastie, Gordon; Montabaranom, Jessica; Longden, Emma; Rapson, Katie; Holoborodko, Anhelina; Sparling, Carol (2023): Automated detection and tracking of marine mammals in the vicinity of tidal turbines using multibeam sonar. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 11(11), 2095, https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11112095 (Gillespie et al. (2023))
Gillespie, Douglas; Oswald, Michael; Hastie, Gordon; Sparling, Carol (2022): Marine mammal HiCUP: A High Current Underwater Platform for the long-term monitoring of fine-scale marine mammal behavior around tidal turbines. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9, 850446, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.850446 (Gillespie et al. (2022))
Leigh-Sharpe, W Harold (1926): The comparative morphology of the secondary sexual characters of elasmobranch fishes. The claspers, clasper siphons, and clasper glands. Memoir X. Journal of Morphology, 42(1), 335-348, https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1050420111 (Leigh-Sharpe (1926))
Montabaranom, Jessica; Gillespie, Douglas; Longden, Emma; Rapson, Katie; Holoborodko, Anhelina; Sparling, Carol; Hastie, Gordon (2025): Seals exhibit localised avoidance of operational tidal turbines. Journal of Applied Ecology, 62(2), 242-252, https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14844 (Montabaranom et al. (2025))
Related code / software:
Tritech International Ltd.: Genesis software, version 1.7.3.37 [software]. https://www.tritech.co.uk/support/software/genesis
Project(s):
Coverage:
Median Latitude: 59.060298 * Median Longitude: -2.050562 * South-bound Latitude: 54.929042 * West-bound Longitude: -4.933930 * North-bound Latitude: 62.656100 * East-bound Longitude: 3.220443
Date/Time Start: 1993-09-22T00:00:00 * Date/Time End: 2025-08-22T17:09:08
Minimum DEPTH, water: 0.00 m * Maximum DEPTH, water: 1567.00 m
Event(s):
AER_EIA_1.1 * Latitude Start: 55.693865 * Longitude Start: 3.056022 * Latitude End: 55.360735 * Longitude End: 2.309219 * Date/Time Start: 2013-09-27T12:41:00 * Date/Time End: 2013-09-27T13:03:00 * Elevation: 550.0 m * Location: Central North Sea * Method/Device: Aerial visual observations: aerial survey conducted from aircraft * Comment: Survey metadata unavailable - Latitude and Longitude represent exact encounter.
AER_EIA_1.2 * Latitude: 55.223940 * Longitude: 2.347775 * Date/Time Start: 2013-09-27T14:00:00 * Date/Time End: 2013-09-27T14:20:00 * Elevation: 550.0 m * Location: Central North Sea * Method/Device: Aerial visual observations: aerial survey conducted from aircraft * Comment: Survey metadata unavailable - Latitude and Longitude represent exact encounter.
AER_EIA_1.3 * Latitude: 54.929042 * Longitude: 2.004112 * Date/Time Start: 2013-09-28T14:04:00 * Date/Time End: 2013-09-28T14:23:00 * Elevation: 550.0 m * Location: Central North Sea * Method/Device: Aerial visual observations: aerial survey conducted from aircraft * Comment: Survey metadata unavailable - Latitude and Longitude represent exact encounter.
Parameter(s):
| # | Name | Short Name | Unit | Principal Investigator | Method/Device | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Event label | Event | McAllister, Mia | |||
| 2 | Taxon/taxa | Taxa | McAllister, Mia | indet. = not identified or unidentifiable | ||
| 3 | Taxon/taxa, unique identification | Taxa UID | McAllister, Mia | Reference in WoRMS (WoRMS) | ||
| 4 | Taxon/taxa, unique identification (URI) | Taxa UID (URI) | McAllister, Mia | Reference in WoRMS (WoRMS) | ||
| 5 | Taxon/taxa, unique identification (Semantic URI) | Taxa UID (Semantic URI) | McAllister, Mia | Reference in WoRMS (WoRMS) | ||
| 6 | Timestamp | Timestamp | McAllister, Mia | ISO 8601 | According to ISO-standard 8601 in the format: yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm:ss, yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH:mm, yyyy-MM, or yyyy-'Q'q (quarter/three month of the year); if time unknown: HH:mm:ss = 00:00:00 | |
| 7 | Number of observations | NOBS | # | McAllister, Mia | Counted | Number of elasmobranch observations |
| 8 | Sex | Sex | McAllister, Mia | Presence or absence of claspers (Leigh-Sharpe, 1926) | Via visual identification; presence or absence of claspers (Leigh-Sharpe, 1926) | |
| 9 | DEPTH, water | Depth water | m | McAllister, Mia | Recorded depth of observation | Geocode – Depth of observation |
| 10 | LATITUDE | Latitude | McAllister, Mia | Geocode | ||
| 11 | LONGITUDE | Longitude | McAllister, Mia | Geocode | ||
| 12 | Behaviour | Behaviour | McAllister, Mia | Assigned categories according to EMEC and SMRU (2013) | Assigned where possible; based on pre-defined behaviour classifications (EMEC & SMRU, 2013) and broad descriptive categories e.g., 'swimming'. | |
| 13 | Habitat type, EUNIS | Habitat type EUNIS | McAllister, Mia | According to the European Environment Agency (EEA, 2022) (EUNIS habitat types) | Assigned to level 3 (defines region and substrate type) based on European Nature Information System (EUNIS) habitat classification: EEA (2022) | |
| 14 | Offshore energy site | Offshore energy site | McAllister, Mia | Offshore energy site observations are associated to e.g., Pentland Floating Offshore Wind Farm, Caithness | ||
| 15 | Industry type | Industry type | McAllister, Mia | Oil and gas, tidal energy, wave energy, offshore wind, floating offshore wind | ||
| 16 | Data source | Data source | McAllister, Mia | Various methods | Origin of the record (literature review, citizen science, social media, industry-held data, EIA....) | |
| 17 | Fish, total length | Fish TL | cm | McAllister, Mia | Estimated using tools within Tritech Genesis software, version 1.7.3.37; methodology according to Gillespie et al. (2022), Gillespie et al. (2023), and Montabaranom et al. (2025) | Estimated, using measurement tools within Tritech Genesis software, version 1.7.3.37. Further methodological details available in Gillespie et al. (2022), Gillespie et al. (2023), and Montabaranom et al. (2025); only available for multibeam SONAR data |
| 18 | Fish, width | Fish w | cm | McAllister, Mia | Estimated using tools within Tritech Genesis software, version 1.7.3.37; methodology according to Gillespie et al. (2022), Gillespie et al. (2023), and Montabaranom et al. (2025) | Estimated, using measurement tools within Tritech Genesis software, version 1.7.3.37. Further methodological details available in Gillespie et al. (2022), Gillespie et al. (2023), and Montabaranom et al. (2025); only available for multibeam SONAR data |
| 19 | Fish, distance to SONAR, minimum | Fish dist min | m | McAllister, Mia | Estimated using tools within Tritech Genesis software, version 1.7.3.37; methodology according to Gillespie et al. (2022), Gillespie et al. (2023), and Montabaranom et al. (2025) | Estimated, using measurement tools within Tritech Genesis software, version 1.7.3.37. Further methodological details available in Gillespie et al. (2022), Gillespie et al. (2023), and Montabaranom et al. (2025); only available for multibeam SONAR data |
| 20 | Fish, distance to SONAR, maximum | Fish dist max | m | McAllister, Mia | Estimated using tools within Tritech Genesis software, version 1.7.3.37; methodology according to Gillespie et al. (2022), Gillespie et al. (2023), and Montabaranom et al. (2025) | Estimated, using measurement tools within Tritech Genesis software, version 1.7.3.37. Further methodological details available in Gillespie et al. (2022), Gillespie et al. (2023), and Montabaranom et al. (2025); only available for multibeam SONAR data |
| 21 | Speed, swimming | Sp swim | m/s | McAllister, Mia | Calculated as the approximate distance travelled divided by the track duration, using measurement tools within Tritech Genesis software, version 1.7.3.37 | Average speed of elasmobranch in recorded track (only available for multibeam SONAR data) |
| 22 | Tidal speed | Tidal speed | m/s | McAllister, Mia | Calculated as √[(FlowMagEast)² + (FlowMagNorth)²] | Tidal flow magnitude (only available for multibeam SONAR data) |
| 23 | Tide | Tide | McAllister, Mia | Tidal phase (only available for multibeam SONAR data and EMEC Wildlife Observation Survey data) | ||
| 24 | Reference/source | Reference | McAllister, Mia | |||
| 25 | Uniform resource locator/link to reference | URL ref | McAllister, Mia | URL of first source/reference | ||
| 26 | Uniform resource locator/link to reference | URL ref | McAllister, Mia | URL of second source/reference | ||
| 27 | Uniform resource locator/link to reference | URL ref | McAllister, Mia | URL of third source/reference | ||
| 28 | Uniform resource locator/link to reference | URL ref | McAllister, Mia | URL of fourth source/reference |
License:
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY-4.0)
Status:
Curation Level: Enhanced curation (CurationLevelC)
Size:
4773 data points
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