Shetland is surrounded by rich
and productive seas, which provide food for a greater diversity of marine
mammals than found anywhere else in the British Isles.
Common seals and otters frequent sheltered voes, grey seals favour more
exposed coasts, while whales and dolphins are often spotted passing
headlands.
The continental shelf is only some 30 miles to
the west of Shetland so even cetaceans normally associated with deep water
can occasionally stray inshore.
