Following a mass stranding of 55 pilot whales on the Isle of Lewis in July 2023, the Scottish Government Marine Directorate undertook research to determine whether underwater noise might have played a part in the incident. Acoustic data available from the area in the week leading up to the stranding was analysed. Information from the Ministry of defence did not suggest any activity that might have impacted the whales. Some sounds from ship echo sounders were noted, however given the location of the sound source and of the pilot whales prior to the stranding, it cannot be determined whether the pilot whales were exposed to these sounds so any potential influence of these sounds in the stranding is unknown.
