Marine Mammal Strandings Project
In the event that you find a stranded animal please contact the strandings network on 0800 652 0333
The marine mammal strandings project was set up by Defra following the mass die-off of common seals in the North Sea in 1988. The purpose of the project is to monitor the health status of marine mammals and marine turtles in UK waters by examining animals that are found washed up dead on the shores. Fresh carcasses can give useful information on prey species through analysis of stomach contents, parasite burdens, pollutant levels of metals and organochlorines and give early indications of infectious diseases in these populations.
By keeping accurate records of all strandings, an indication of what species occur around the UK can be built up and records of mortality can quickly highlight unusual numbers of strandings flagging up potential problems.
The collaborative project is implemented in Wales by Marine Environmental Monitoring and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Countryside Council for Wales .
For more information visit www.strandings.com
