Sea Eagle Management Scheme

NatureScot runs the Sea Eagle Management Scheme on behalf of the National Sea Eagle Stakeholder Panel.  If you have issues with sea eagles and wish to find out more about the scheme please see the information below.  We are still working under Covid-19 restrictions but we can still provide advice over the phone.

The Scheme has recently been revised and we would encourage Farmers and Crofters affected by Sea Eagle predation to get in touch if they would like more information on the changes or to discuss management measures that can potentially be supported.

Please email the SEMS mailbox ([email protected]) or phone 01292 294049 for further information.

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

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

Following discussion with stakeholders, the Sea Eagle Management Scheme has been revised for 2020 onwards with information on the revised Scheme and relevant documents.

Applications to the Scheme for support in 2021 should be submitted by 31 August 2020.

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.

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

Local stakeholder groups are represented on a National Sea Eagle Stakeholder Group, which comprises:

• NatureScot
• National Farmers Union of Scotland
• RSPB Scotland
• Forest and Land Scotland
• Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate
• Scottish Crofting Federation
• Scotland's Rural College

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: [email protected]

Or post it to:

NatureScot
Cameron House
Albany Street
Oban
Argyll
PA34 4AE

Alternatively, contact your local NatureScot 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

White-tailed Eagle Action Plan

The Sea Eagle National Stakeholder Panel have reviewed the 2017-2020 White-tailed Eagle Action Plan.  The review document has been added to the links below.  That document looks at what has been achieved through the Action Plan over the past 3 years and provides a set of recommendations that will be developed to shape the extension of the Action Plan from 2021-2024.

NatureScot is working with partners on the National Sea Eagle Stakeholder Group to deliver the National White-tailed eagle Management Plan. 

Find out more

Sea Eagle Management Scheme - information and registration documents
White-tailed Eagle Management Plan documents
Shared Approach to Wildlife Management
Wildlife Management - A Shared Approach Concordat
White-tailed Eagle Action Plan Review 2020