Sea Eagle Management Scheme

Farmers and crofters experiencing sea eagle impacts on their livestock are invited to join this scheme, which offers support for adapting livestock management and for trialling prevention measures.

The Sea Eagle Management Scheme extends support for livestock farmers and crofters who suffer impacts across the sea eagle breeding range.

The 2015–2018 scheme was launched as one of the actions listed in the Joint Statement of Intent from NFU Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage on – Sea Eagles and Sheep Farming in Scotland agreed in 2014.

To support farmers and crofters, scheme advisers will:

investigate what sea eagle activity is occurring near to the farm
help to gather evidence of sea eagle impacts and record any livestock losses due to sea eagles or other causes
advise on measures to mitigate against sea eagle impacts
arrange to lend equipment, where appropriate, to use to deter sea eagles or otherwise mitigate impacts
recommend support for longer term management agreed with, and carried out by, the livestock manager

Land managers who carry out prevention measures as part of livestock management may receive financial support through long-term Management Agreements.

Management of the scheme

Local stakeholder groups set up across the sea eagle range manage the scheme, which we administer on their behalf.

Three stakeholder groups have initially been set up in Argyll and Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, and Wester Ross. Other groups may be established where demand arises.

Stakeholder groups are represented on a national scheme panel, which comprises:

Scottish Natural Heritage
National Farmers Union of Scotland
RSPB Scotland
Forestry Commission Scotland
Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate
Scottish Crofting Federation

How to take part

Are you affected by sea eagle impacts? To take part in the scheme, fill out and return to us a Register of Interest form.

You can email your completed form to: seaeaglescheme@nature.scot

Or post it to:

Scottish Natural Heritage
Cameron House
Albany Street
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4AE

Alternatively, contact your local Scottish Natural Heritage area office.

Our staff will arrange for someone to respond on behalf of the local stakeholder group.

Flock management log

You should record details of your flock management and lamb losses using our log template. Include any evidence of livestock predation. This will help your local stakeholder group to monitor sea eagle related incidents.

Read our Sea Eagle Management Scheme flock management log