Annual Report for the period 1st January – 31st December 2013

(Contract number MB0111)

Compiled by R. Deaville (ZSL)

Contributing Authors-

A. Brownlow and N. Davison (SRUC) B. Smith, M.Clery and R.C. Sabin (NHM) R. Penrose (MEM) P.D. Jepson and M. Perkins (ZSL)

This report results from work conducted by the collaborative UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme. Partner organisations are Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the Scottish Rural College, Inverness (SRUC), the Natural History Museum (NHM) and Marine Environmental Monitoring (MEM).

Funding bodies Contract manager Partner organisations

UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme MB0111 Marine Biodiversity Division, Defra

Information on the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme can also be found at www.ukstrandings.org. Data summarised in this report was collected in the UK under contract to Defra and the Devolved Administrations between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2013. Data was collected under contract number MB0111 (2011-2014).

Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London (ZSL) - Contractor Regent’s Park London NW1 4RY Tel: 020 7449 6672 Fax: 020 7586 1457 Web: www.zsl.org/science/

Scottish Rural College, Inverness (SRUC) - Subcontractor Wildlife Unit Drummondhill Stratherrick Road Inverness IV2 4JZ Tel: 01463 243030 Fax: 01463 711103 Web: www.sruc.ac.uk/

The Natural History Museum (NHM) - Subcontractor Cromwell Road South Kensington London SW7 5BD Tel: 020 7942 5155 Fax: 020 7942 5572 Web: www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/projects/strandings/

Marine Environmental Monitoring (MEM) - Subcontractor Penwalk, Llechryd Cardigan Ceredigion West Wales SA43 2PS Tel: 01239 682405 Web: www.strandings.com

Strandings in the UK can be reported on 0800 652033.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cetacean-Strandings-Investigation-Programme-UK-strandings/142706582438320

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Executive summary

During 2013, 625 cetaceans were reported to the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP), comprising at least 17 species, a figure broadly comparable to that reported during the previous four year period (mean n=513, 2009- 2012). Of these, 562 were found stranded and dead, 38 were seen to have stranded alive (of which nine were refloated) and 25 were dead cetaceans found at sea (two of which were found entangled in netting). Consistent with previous years, the most common UK-stranded cetacean species in 2013 were the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena, n=417) and the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis, n=69). Five reports of UK stranded marine turtles and one report of a UK stranded basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) were also received during 2013. Although not part of its formal remit, data on stranded seals continue to be collected by the CSIP and during 2013, 398 dead stranded seals were recorded by the CSIP, with the majority (n=214) being recorded in Scotland. There were also five stranding events involving two or more animals during 2013 (the largest of which involved four animals).

During 2013, 143 cetacean strandings (comprising 11 species) and two marine turtles (comprising two species) were examined at post mortem using standardised protocols. No UK stranded basking sharks were examined during 2013. The most common causes of mortality of the 95 harbour porpoises examined at post-mortem during 2013 were starvation (n=23, including nine neonates), infectious disease (n=19, mainly pneumonias due to combinations of parasitic and/or bacterial infections), entanglement in fishing gear (by-catch, n=16), bottlenose dolphin attack (n=15) and live stranding (n=7). All cases of fatal attack from bottlenose dolphins occurred in areas of sympatric distribution of these two species. There were no consistent trends in any cause of death category for UK-stranded harbour porpoises between 2009 and 2013. The most common cause of mortality of the 20 short- beaked common dolphins investigated at post mortem during 2013 was by-catch (n=7). The proportion of UK stranded cetaceans diagnosed as by-catch during 2013 was very broadly similar to that recorded during the previous four year period.

Data and tissue samples generated from the systematic examination of UK-stranded cetacean carcasses since 1990 continues to support a broad range of multidisciplinary scientific research activity and has resulted in over 200 publications within the peer-reviewed scientific literature in that period, including 19 published during 2013. Further information on the CSIP can be found at www.ukstrandings.org.

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Contents

Executive Summary 3

Contents 4

1 List of Tables, Figures and Plates 5

2 Introduction 8

3 Materials and methods 9

4 Cetacean, marine turtle and basking shark strandings around 14 the UK coastline for the year 2013

4.1 Mass strandings 21

5 Summary of UK-stranded cetaceans, marine turtles and basking sharks in 2013 (by species) 5.1 Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) 23 5.2 Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) 26 5.3 White beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) 28 5.4 Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) 28 5.5 Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) 29 5.6 Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) 29 5.7 Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) 30 5.8 Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) 31 5.9 Sowerby’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) 31 5.10 Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) 32 5.11 Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) 32 5.12 Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) 32 5.13 Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) 32 5.14 Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) 32 5.15 Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) 34 5.16 Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) 34 5.17 Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) 34 5.18 Indeterminate species 36 5.19 Marine turtles 36 5.20 Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) 37 5.21 Seals 39

6 Post mortem investigations and causes of death data 41

7 Spatial distribution of cause of death categories 44

8 Collaborations and outputs 46

8.1 Investigations of relationships between environmental 46 contaminants and health status

8.2 Additional collaborative research activity 46 4

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8.3 2013 Publications 49

8.4 2013 Conference abstracts 52

8.4 International Whaling Commission workshop on 53 large live stranded cetacean euthanasia

8.5 Natural History Museum 100th anniversary meeting 53

8.6 Science Uncovered, Natural History Museum 53

9 References 54

10 Glossary of terms and acronyms 56

11 Acknowledgments 57

12 Appendix 1 Contact details for the reporting of strandings 61 in the UK

13 Appendix 2 Carcass selection criteria for post-mortem 63 examination of UK stranded cetaceans

14 Appendix 3 Marine litter ingestion and/or entanglement 68

15 Appendix 4 Summary of causes of death 2013 70

1 Tables, Figures and Plates

1.1 Tables

Table 1 Reported strandings of cetaceans, marine turtles and basking sharks 17 in the UK during 2013

Table 2 Reported strandings of cetaceans, marine turtles and basking sharks 18 in the UK 2009-2013

Table 3 Post-mortem investigations conducted on UK stranded cetaceans 41 during 2013

Table 4 Post-mortem investigations conducted on stranded cetaceans and 41 marine turtles in England during 2013

Table 5 Post-mortem investigations conducted on stranded cetaceans in 42 Scotland during 2013

Table 6 Post-mortem investigations conducted on stranded cetaceans and 42 Marine turtles in Wales during 2013

Table 7 Post-mortem investigations conducted on stranded cetaceans in 42 Northern Ireland during 2013

Table 8 Causes of death of cetaceans and marine turtles examined at 43 post mortem in the UK in 2013

Table 9 Reported strandings in England, Scotland and Wales 2009-2013 64 (aggregated data)

Table 10 Regional harbour porpoise stranding data (2009-2013) in relation 65 to the current limits of 55-65 annual PME’s

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Table 11 Recommended 2013 allocation of harbour porpoise PME’s by area 65 and month, based on 2009-2013 reported stranding data

Table 12 Regional common dolphin stranding data (2009-2013) in relation 66 to the current limits of 15-20 annual PME’s

Table 13 Recommended 2013 allocation of common dolphin PME’s by area 66 and month, based on 2009-2013 reported stranding data

Table 14 Regional stranding data for other cetacean species, excluding 67 harbour porpoises, common dolphins and strandings of indeterminate identity (2009-2013) in relation to the current limits of 10-25 annual PME’s

Table 15 Recommended 2013 allocation of other cetacean species PME’s 67 by area and month, based on 2009-2013 reported stranding data

Table 16 Marine litter ingestion or entanglement in cetacean strandings 68 examined at post-mortem in the UK during 2013

1.2 Figures

Figure 1 Organisational structure of the CSIP 8

Figure 2 Outline process in strandings reporting and post-mortem examinations 10 in the UK by the CSIP consortium

Figure 3 Reported cetacean strandings in England, Scotland, Wales and 15 Northern Ireland 2009-2013

Figure 4 Annual numbers of reported strandings of cetaceans (all species), 15 harbour porpoises and common dolphins in the UK(1990-2013)

Figure 5 UK regions used for analysis of data 16

Figure 6 Inter annual variation in UK regional reported strandings of harbour 19 porpoises (2009-2013)

Figure 7 Inter annual variation in UK regional reported strandings of common 19 dolphins (2009-2013)

Figure 8 Inter annual variation in UK regional reported strandings of cetacean 20 species other than harbour porpoises and common dolphins (2009-2013)

Figure 9 Inter annual variation in UK regional reported strandings of cetacean 20 species of indeterminate identity (2009-2013)

Figure 10 Distribution of harbour porpoise strandings in the UK (2013) 23

Figure 11 Distribution of short-beaked common dolphin strandings in the UK 23 (2013)

Figure 12 Monthly reported strandings of harbour porpoises in the UK in 2013 25 compared to mean number of reported strandings for 2009-2012 period

Figure 13 Proportions of major cause of death categories in UK stranded 26 harbour porpoises examined at post mortem 2009-2013

Figure 14 Monthly reported strandings of short-beaked common dolphins in the UK in 27 2012 compared to mean number of reported strandings for 2009-2013 period

Figure 15 Proportions of major cause of death categories in UK-stranded 28 short-beaked common dolphins examined at post mortem 2009-2013

Figure 16 Distribution of other odontocete strandings in the UK (2013) 35

Figure 17 Distribution of mysticete strandings in the UK (2013) 36

Figure 18 Annual numbers of UK reported marine turtles (2004-2013) 38

Figure 19 Distribution of marine turtle strandings in the UK (2013) 38

Figure 20 Distribution of basking shark strandings in the UK (2013) 38

Figure 21 Distribution of dead seal strandings in the UK (2013) 39 6

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Figure 22 Annual variation in reported dead seal strandings in the UK (2009-2013) 40

Figure 23a Spatial distribution of cetacean strandings examined at post mortem 44 and diagnosed to have died as a result of starvation (2013)

Figure 23b Spatial distribution of cetacean strandings examined at post mortem 44 and diagnosed to have died as a result of infectious disease (2013)

Figure 23c Spatial distribution of cetacean strandings examined at post mortem 44 and diagnosed to have died as a result of by-catch (2013)

Figure 23d Spatial distribution of cetacean strandings examined at post mortem 45 and diagnosed to have died as a result of live stranding (2013)

Figure 23e Spatial distribution of cetacean strandings examined at post mortem 45 and diagnosed to have died as a result of violent interactions with bottlenose dolphins (2013)

Figure 23f Spatial distribution of cetacean strandings examined at post mortem 45 and diagnosed to have died as a result of boat/ship strike

Figure 24 Annual publications produced by the CSIP and through collaborations 51 (1990-2013)

1.3 Plates

Plate 1 Harbour porpoises found dead stranded in close proximity to each other 21 at Winterton-on-Sea in Norfolk on 3rd March 2013 (SW2013/69.1-4)

Plate 2 Sowerby’s beaked whale stranding in St. Kilda, Western Isles, one of 22 a pair of animals which live stranded together

Plate 3 Harbour porpoise exhibiting pathology potentially consistent with 24 predation or post-mortem scavenging by grey seals

Plate 4 Possible bitemarks on tail stock of a harbour porpoise found stranded 25 in Kent, with right hand image illustrating chronic nature of injuries

Plate 5 Minke whales found stranded at Cromer and at Sea Palling in Norfolk 29

Plate 6 Long-finned pilot whale live stranding at Portballintrae, County Antrim 30

Plate 7 Sowerby’s beaked whale post-mortem examination at Clarach, Ceredigion 31

Plate 8 Humpback whale (SW2013/114) found floating off Sheerness in Kent 33

Plate 9 Sei whale (SW2013/501) stranded at Red Bay, County Antrim in 33 Northern Ireland

Plate 10 Pygmy sperm whale (SW2013/473) stranded at Banff, Aberdeenshire 34

Plate 11 Blainville’s beaked whale (SW2013/626) stranded at Kenneggy Sands 35 in Cornwall

Plate 12 Loggerhead turtle (T2013/28) found stranded at Worthing in East Sussex 37

Plate 13 Minke whale examination from the 1930’s and speakers at the NHM 53 strandings centenary event

Plate 14 CSIP staff from ZSL and NHM at Science Uncovered 27th September 54

Plate 15 Jan and Jeff Loveridge 58

Plate 16 Staff of the AHVLA lab at Polwhele near Truro (image c. 1980’s) 59

Plate 17 Robin Pratt 60

Plate 18 Plastic fragments in cardiac stomach of white-beaked dolphin 69

Plate 19 Plastic fragments in cardiac stomach of common dolphin 69

Plate 20 Chronically entangled minke whale (SW2013/351) found floating 69 in Tilbury Docks

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 2 Introduction

This report is based on research conducted under contract (MB0111) to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) between 1st January and 31st December 2013. The Institute of Zoology1 (IoZ), Scottish Rural College (SRUC), Natural History Museum (NHM) and Marine Environmental Monitoring (MEM) are responsible for the delivery of this contract.

Since 1990, the collaborative UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) has been funded by UK governments (currently through Defra, Welsh Government and Scottish Government) to;

collate, analyse and report data for all cetacean strandings around the coast of the UK;

determine the causes of death in stranded cetaceans, including by-catch and physical trauma; and

undertake surveillance on the incidence of disease in stranded cetaceans in order to identify any substantial new threats to their conservation status.

The CSIP also continues to submit data on strandings and post-mortem examinations to the UK annual national report for ASCOBANS (Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas).

The current organisational structure of the CSIP and the responsibilities of each organisation are given below in Figure 1. A Steering Group consisting of representatives of UK government and Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC; managers of the current contract) monitor progress and provide guidance on the objectives and output of the CSIP.

Figure 1 Organisational structure of the CSIP

NB WG- Welsh Government, SG- Scottish Government, JNCC- Joint Nature Conservation Committee

1 Main Contractor responsible for the delivery of MB0111 8

www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 3 Materials and methods

3.1 Reporting and collection of cetacean and marine turtle strandings

Strandings are recorded by the CSIP when an animal swims, is left by a receding tide or is deposited onto land (beach, mudflats, sandbank etc) dead or alive. Live animals that are prevented from stranding by human interaction from the shore, but would clearly have otherwise stranded without such intervention, may also be included. In addition, the CSIP also continues to record information on dead cetaceans that are found at sea in and around UK territorial waters.

Figure 2 shows an outline process for the reporting of strandings in the UK, covering liaison with appropriate local authorities (primarily the Receiver of Wreck/Maritime Coastguard Agency and local authorities) and the project steering group, along with information on post-mortem investigations and dissemination of results by the CSIP. In England (excluding Cornwall), the reporting, retrieval and transportation of stranded animals is co-ordinated by NHM, with IoZ providing assistance where appropriate. In Cornwall, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network (www.cwtstrandings.org/index.html) co-ordinate stranding reporting, retrieval and transportation to the University of Exeter (Penryn campus) for post-mortem investigation. Strandings data collected by CWTMSN is made available to the CSIP for inclusion in the central UK database and also in the CSIP national reports. The CSIP has also recently set up a regional collaboration in the north-east of England with Dr Per Berggren at the University of Newcastle, whereby appropriate strandings are retrieved and held frozen prior to retrieval for post-mortem examination by the CSIP.

In Scotland, the reporting, retrieval and transportation of stranded animals is co- ordinated by SRUC. In Wales, the reporting, retrieval and transportation of stranded animals is co-ordinated by MEM. Stranding reports are verified wherever possible through the use of digital photographs taken on the beach. In Wales and Scotland, dedicated email addresses and mobile numbers for the provision of camera phone pictures have also been established. The decision about whether to subject a carcass to post-mortem is based on the state of decomposition and whether it can be secured safely prior to collection and transportation to a laboratory for post-mortem examination. The relevant public health considerations of handling stranded cetacean carcasses are stressed to those individuals and organisations that are involved with the day-to-day reporting and recovery of stranded carcasses.

Data on strandings in Northern Ireland were collected by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (www.iwdg.ie/), under contract to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA, www.ni-environment.gov.uk/). Data on strandings in the Isle of Man were provided by Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture (Isle of Man Government, www.gov.im/daff/Wildlife/species/marine.xml).

Appendix 1 gives details of the reporting mechanism for strandings of cetaceans, marine turtles, basking sharks and seals in the UK (both alive and dead). Appendix 2 gives information on the current guidelines for selecting strandings for post-mortem examination.

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Stranding Liaison with report local authorities e.g. Receiver of Wreck/MCA, Live Dead police, local council etc

Rescue CSIP Died/euthanased organisations (regional (BDMLR) or national)

Rescued Liaison with PSG Liaison with media (if appropriate) (if appropriate) CSIP post- No further mortem action (live investigations stranding report recorded in CSIP Analysis database) Diagnostic and Gather supplementary supplementary data testing (if appropriate)

Analysis

Post mortem Post mortem report conclusions (causes of generated. Sent out death) included in to stranding quarterly, annual and reporters, media ad hoc reporting liaison if appropriate

Figure 2 Outline process in strandings reporting and post-mortem examinations in the UK by the CSIP consortium. Blue highlighted sections denote CSIP actions.

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 3.2 Post-mortem examination

Carcasses were routinely transported to one of three pathology laboratories in the UK:

Institute of Zoology (Zoological Society of London), Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY Scottish Rural College (Disease Surveillance Centre), Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness, Scotland, IV2 4JZ University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Truro, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ

In cases where carcasses were too large or too difficult to retrieve, post-mortem investigations were conducted in situ at the stranding site. All cetacean post-mortem investigations (including tissue sampling) were conducted using standard procedures (Kuiken and Garcia Hartmann 1991, Law 1994, Deaville and Jepson et al 2011). Marine turtle post-mortem investigations and tissue sampling were also conducted using standard procedures (Work 2000 and Wyneknen 2001) and basking shark strandings were investigated opportunistically. Essentially, organs were systematically examined and routine tissue samples were collected for virological, microbiological, histopathological, toxicological and other studies. Any observed lesions were also sampled for further diagnostic tests, depending on the suspected aetiology.

3.3 Assessing causes of death

Although it is often not possible to arrive at a definitive cause of death for any individual carcass, a most probable cause of death was ascribed wherever possible based on the collective findings from post-mortem and other diagnostic investigations. Oversight of the allocation of causes of death is conducted by Dr. Paul Jepson (CSIP lead scientist and pathologist). Criteria used to establish selected causes of death are described below.

By-catch (entanglement in fishing gear) was ascribed as a cause of death in cetacean carcasses using established pathological criteria for by-catch diagnosis (Kuiken et al. 1994 and 1996) Infectious Disease- a broad category consisting of a number of causes of death of infectious origin (Jepson 2005, Jepson et al. 2005a) Live Stranding- attributed as the cause of death in cetaceans that were known or suspected (from post-mortem examination) to have live-stranded in apparent good health and nutritional status. This category excluded severely diseased or emaciated animals that stranded alive (Jepson 2005) Starvation- given as the cause of death in animals that were severely emaciated and, following post-mortem examination, ascertained to have no other significant disease processes that could explain the poor nutritional status (Jepson 2005) Starvation (neonate)- given as the cause of death in neonates that were severely emaciated and, following post-mortem examination, ascertained to have no other significant disease processes that could explain the poor nutritional status. Some of these animals may have become maternally separated

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Fatal attack from one or more bottlenose dolphins- ascribed as a cause of death in cetacean carcasses using established pathological criteria (Ross & Wilson 1996, Jepson & Baker 1998) Physical trauma (boat/ship strike)- physical trauma consistent with impact from a boat or ship. Includes blunt trauma to dorsal/lateral aspect of body wall and/or injuries consistent with propeller strike Dystocia & Stillborn- attributed as the cause of death in animals which have died during the act or process of giving birth (mothers or calves) Physical trauma (unknown origin)- where evidence of physical trauma is found at post-mortem, but no obvious origin or other significant underlying factors. This category is likely to include some undiagnosed cases of boat/ship strike, by-catch or bottlenose dolphin attack. Gas embolism- intravascular gas bubble formation that obstructs circulation and causes associated tissue injury (Jepson et al 2003; 2005b) Entanglement- a cause of death category largely confined to minke whales. Denotes evidence of entanglement in rope (creel etc) or discarded fishing gear/marine litter Cold stunned- a cause of death category specific to hard shelled species of marine turtle, resulting from exposure to cold water around the UK coast, leading to immobility, hypothermia and eventual starvation Neoplasia- where the cause of death is due to the formation of a tumour Others- a broad category covering causes of death that cannot be categorised using existing criteria

3.4 Tissue archiving

Tissue specimens collected for research are stored frozen at either -20˚C or -80˚C and fixed in either 10% neutral buffered formalin or 70% alcohol at the IoZ and SRUC Inverness or sent to collaborating institutions for research purposes.

3.5 Data collection, storage and dissemination

Prior to 2009, data generated by the CSIP had historically been collected and archived on a number of different databases. During 2008, a Defra funded web accessed database was created (http://data.ukstrandings.org/), fully integrating for the first time both strandings data and data collected during post-mortem examinations in the UK. The CSIP web accessed database has been ‘live’ since 1st January 2009, with data on UK stranded cetaceans, marine turtles, basking sharks and seals reported since this date being routinely entered onto it. Pathology and strandings data from cetaceans and basking sharks reported to the CSIP between 1989 and 2008 was integrated during 2009 and imported into the CSIP web accessed database. Levels of access have been set such that data can be viewed by those deemed appropriate by the PSG, but data can only be entered/edited by appropriate members of the CSIP consortium. Data entry and data validation/quality control is performed by the relevant partner organisations in the CSIP consortium and by CWTMSN in Cornwall. As well as enabling the CSIP consortium to collectively enter and edit data through a single web accessed portal, the database facilitates more efficient and accurate capture of data and allows stakeholders to access data as 12

www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 required. In addition, during 2010 periodic export of relevant data to the NBN gateway (www.nbn.org.uk/) began, enabling access to strandings and post-mortem data by a much wider audience than at present. Work on the database is ongoing and additional existing data will be imported during the course of the current contract (MB0111).

Causes of death of strandings examined in the UK are validated by Dr Paul Jepson, in his role as lead scientist and pathologist on the programme. Causes of death may be amended and/or altered if e.g. new results are generated, with an audit trail of amendments automatically recorded on the database in every instance.

Marine turtle strandings data in the UK is collated by the UK and Republic of Ireland 'TURTLE' Database Manager (Rod Penrose) under supervision of the Turtle Implementation Group (TIG). Collation of marine turtle strandings and sightings data in UK and RoI is collectively funded by the statutory conservation bodies- Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish National Heritage and National Parks and Wildlife Service (RoI).

Quarterly reports were submitted to the PSG during 2013 and acted as project milestones. The CSIP also provided summary reports of strandings and post-mortem data for the annual ASCOBANS national report, as well as the annual IWC national report and any ad hoc requests made during the course of the year by the Department or the Devolved Administrations.

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 4 Cetacean, marine turtle and basking shark strandings around the UK coastline for the year 2013

During 2013, 625 cetaceans were reported to the CSIP comprising at least 17 species (Table 1). Of these, 562 were reports of dead-stranded cetaceans, 38 were of live-stranded cetaceans and 25 were of dead cetaceans found at sea (including two which were known by-catches). Of the 38 live-stranded cetaceans, nine were returned alive to sea. In addition, five UK stranded marine turtles and one UK stranded basking shark were also reported during 2013 (Table 1). The figure of 625 cetaceans reported during 2013 is a figure that is broadly comparable to the previous four year period (mean n=513, 2009-2012).

The most commonly reported UK stranded cetacean species in 2013 were the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) (n=417) and the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) (n=69). Another 104 stranded cetaceans were also recorded, comprising white beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris, n=19), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba, n=17), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata, n=16), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas, n=15), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, n=9), Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus, n=7), Sowerby’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens, n=5), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus, n=5), Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus, n=3), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus, n=2), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae, n=2), pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps, n=1), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis, n=1), Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris, n=1) and Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris, n=1). A number of strandings (n=35) were too decomposed, incomplete or inaccessible to enable either accurate identification to species level or retrieval for further investigation at post mortem. The spatial distribution of these strandings (by species) is given in Table 1.

The largest number of cetacean strandings was reported in England (n=281), with a smaller number in Scotland (n=211), Wales (n=114) and Northern Ireland (n=13). In addition, a small number of cetaceans were also reported in the Isle of Man (n=4) and the Channel Islands (n=1). The annual number of reported strandings was broadly comparable to that reported during the previous four years in most countries in the UK (Figure 3 and Table 2). Figure 4 shows the inter-annual variation in numbers of all cetaceans, harbour porpoises and common dolphins recorded stranded in the UK between 1990 and 2013 inclusively.

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Figure 3 Reported cetacean strandings in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 2009-2013

Figure 4 Annual numbers of reported strandings of cetaceans (all species), harbour porpoises and common dolphins in the UK (1990-2013)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 The distribution and abundance of the majority of UK cetacean strandings, including harbour porpoise and common dolphins, are largely correlated with the distribution and abundance of these species in UK and adjacent waters (Jepson et al 2005; Reid et al 2003). Analysis of the UK strandings dataset between 2009 and 2013 (Table 2 and Figures 5-9) shows that there was an increase in recorded strandings of harbour porpoises in Scotland, West coast and East coast regions during 2013 (Figure 5). The potential reason/s for this are varied- it is interesting to note however, that other stranding networks around the North Sea have also reported increases in harbour porpoise strandings during 2013 (pers. comm. Lonneke Ijsseldijk, Thierry Jauniaux, Helene Peltier and others). There was also a reduction in strandings of species other than harbour porpoises and short-beaked common dolphins in Scotland during 2013 (Figure 8). This decrease was driven at least in part by the mass strandings of long- finned pilot whales that occurred in 2011 and 2012 (Deaville et al., 2012 and 2013).

Figure 5 UK regions used for analysis of data (from Jepson et al 2005)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Table 1 Reported strandings of cetaceans, marine turtles and basking sharks in the UK during 2013

Species England Scotland Wales Northern Isle of Total Ireland Man Harbour porpoise 188 128 89 8 4 417 (Phocoena phocoena) Short-beaked common dolphin 51 9 7 2 0 69 (Delphinus delphis) White beaked dolphin 7 12 0 0 0 19 (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) Striped dolphin 3 9 5 0 0 17 (Stenella coeruleoalba) Minke whale 8 7 0 1 0 16 (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) Long-finned pilot whale 2 12 0 1 0 15 (Globicephala melas) Bottlenose dolphin 2 5 1 1 0 9 (Tursiops truncatus) Risso’s dolphin 1 4 1 0 0 6 (Grampus griseus) Sowerby’s beaked whale 0 4 1 0 0 5 (Mesoplodon bidens) Sperm whale 0 5 0 0 0 5 (Physeter macrocephalus) Atlantic white-sided dolphin 0 3 0 0 0 3 (Lagenorhynchus acutus) Fin whale 0 1 1 0 0 2 (Balaenoptera physalus) Humpback whale 2 0 0 0 0 2 (Megaptera novaeangliae) Sei whale 0 0 0 1 0 1 (Balaenoptera borealis) Pygmy sperm whale 0 1 0 0 0 1 (Kogia breviceps) Cuvier’s beaked whale 0 1 0 0 0 1 (Ziphius cavirostris) Blainville’s beaked whale 1 0 0 0 0 1 (Mesoplodon densirostris)

Cetacean 12 4 2 0 0 18 (indeterminate species) Odontocete 0 6 0 0 0 6 (indeterminate species) Short beaked common/striped dolphin 1 0 4 0 0 5 (indeterminate) Dolphin 2 0 2 0 0 4 (indeterminate species) Baleen whale 1 0 1 0 0 2 (indeterminate species)

Leatherback turtle 2 0 0 0 0 2 (Dermochelys coriacea) Loggerhead turtle 1 0 0 0 0 1 (Caretta caretta) Kemp’s ridley turtle 0 0 1 0 0 1 (Lepidochelys kempii) Unidentified turtle 0 1 0 0 0 1 (indeterminate) Basking shark 0 1 0 0 0 1 (Cetorhinus maximus) TOTAL 284 213 115 14 4 630 NB One Risso’s dolphin reported stranded in the Channel Islands during 2013 is not included above

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Table 2 UK strandings of cetaceans, marine turtles and basking sharks (2009-2013)

Species 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Harbour porpoise 251 260 322 328 417 (Phocoena phocoena) Short-beaked common dolphin 54 36 89 81 69 (Delphinus delphis) White beaked dolphin 21 14 10 20 19 (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) Striped dolphin 13 7 14 11 17 (Stenella coeruleoalba) Minke whale 9 16 14 12 16 (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) Long-finned pilot whale 4 3 48 51 15 (Globicephala melas) Bottlenose dolphin 10 6 14 9 9 (Tursiops truncatus) Risso’s dolphin 7 5 9 9 6 (Grampus griseus) Sowerby’s beaked whale 3 2 3 7 5 (Mesoplodon bidens) Sperm whale 3 5 9 4 5 (Physeter macrocephalus) Atlantic white-sided dolphin 8 5 14 7 3 (Lagenorhynchus acutus) Fin whale 1 1 3 5 2 (Balaenoptera physalus) Humpback whale 0 0 0 1 2 (Megaptera novaeangliae) Sei whale 0 0 1 2 1 (Balaenoptera borealis) Pygmy sperm whale 0 0 1 0 1 (Kogia breviceps) Cuvier’s beaked whale 2 0 2 1 1 (Ziphius cavirostris) Blainville’s beaked whale 0 0 0 0 1 (Mesoplodon densirostris) Northern bottlenose whale 8 0 1 3 0 (Hyperoodon ampullatus) Killer whale 0 0 1 1 0 (Orcinus orca) Dwarf sperm whale 0 0 1 0 0 (Kogia sima) Cetacean 24 19 35 20 18 (indeterminate species) Odontocete 9 6 3 3 6 (indeterminate species) Short beaked common/striped 4 8 10 5 5 dolphin (indeterminate) Dolphin 2 4 6 6 4 (indeterminate species) Baleen whale 4 1 6 6 2 (indeterminate species) Lagenorhynchus sp. 0 1 1 2 0 (indeterminate) Leatherback turtle 3 0 4 6 2 (Dermochelys coriacea) Loggerhead turtle 5 0 0 3 1 (Caretta caretta) Kemp’s ridley turtle 0 0 3 1 1 (Lepidochelys kempii) Marine turtle 2 0 0 0 1 (indeterminate species) Green turtle 0 0 1 0 0 (Chelonia mydas) Basking shark 7 2 3 6 1 (Cetorhinus maximus) TOTAL 456 402 628 610 631 18

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Figure 6 Inter annual variation in UK regional reported strandings of harbour porpoises (2009-2013)

Figure 7 Inter annual variation in UK regional reported strandings of common dolphins (2009-2013)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Figure 8 Inter annual variation in UK regional reported strandings of cetacean species other than harbour porpoises and common dolphins (2009-2013)

NB Strandings of indeterminate identity have been excluded from Figure 8

Figure 9 Inter-annual variation in UK regional reported strandings of cetacean species of indeterminate identity (2009-2013)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 4.1 Mass strandings

Five stranding events involving two or more animals occurred in the UK during 2013. Two of these events involved a pair of harbour porpoises found dead stranded together in moderate-advanced decomposition and may have been coincidental stranding events. A third event involved four harbour porpoises found dead stranded within several hundred metres of each other at Winterton-on-Sea in Norfolk on 3rd March 2013. There was extensive tissue loss in each of the porpoises (Plate 1). Unfortunately three of the four carcasses had disappeared from the beach when the CSIP attempted to retrieve them for post-mortem examination

Plate 1 Harbour porpoises found dead stranded in close proximity to each other at Winterton-on-Sea in Norfolk on 3rd March 2013 (SW2013/69.1-4) Images credit Ben Garrod

The potential cause/s of these atypical injuries is still under investigation, but they may be related to the potential phenomenon of grey seal attack described in Section 5.1. Further updates will be provided in future annual reports.

A fourth mass stranding event (MSE) involved two Sowerby’s beaked whales which live stranded on St.Kilda in the Western Isles on 12th September. The two animals were a presumed mother and calf pair. National Trust for Scotland and QinetiQ staff based on the island refloated the calf, however attempts to refloat the larger animal failed and it died at the stranding location. The CSIP carried out a field necropsy on this animal and found it to be an adult female in apparent good nutritional condition, with no underlying significant pathology, although there was no evidence of recent

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 feeding. The adult female was still lactating, indicating that the calf would probably be unlikely to survive. The smaller animal did not subsequently restrand in the vicinity.

Plate 2 Sowerby’s beaked whale stranding in St. Kilda, Western Isles, one of a pair of animals which live stranded together (SW2013/478.1, credit Gina Prior)

And finally, a group of three long-finned pilot whales live stranded at Portmahomack in Highland on 24th April. Two of the three whales were refloated and one died at the stranding location. One of the two refloated animals subsequently restranded and was found dead at Inver near Tain. The necropsies of the two dead animals indicated that both were healthy and had no evidence of underlying disease. Further research is ongoing on this MSE and additional information may be made available in the future.

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 5 Summary of UK-stranded cetaceans, marine turtles and basking sharks in 2013 (by species)

5.1 Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

In 2013, 417 stranded harbour porpoises (99 males, 95 females and 223 of unknown sex) were reported in the UK, a number broadly comparable to that recorded during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2). Of these, 188 stranded in England, 128 stranded in Scotland, 89 stranded in Wales, eight stranded in Northern Ireland and four stranded in the Isle of Man (Figure 10).

Figure 10 Distribution of harbour porpoise Figure 11 Distribution of short-beaked strandings in the UK (2013) common dolphin strandings in the UK (2013)

Of the 417 reported harbour porpoise strandings, 95 were investigated at post mortem (42 were conducted in England, 30 in Scotland, 19 in Wales and four in Northern Ireland- Tables 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7). A cause of death was found in 93 examined individuals (~98 % of examined cases). Of these, 23 died as a result of starvation (including nine neonates), 16 died following entanglement in fishing gear (by-catch), 15 died as a result of attack from one or more bottlenose dolphins, eight died from pneumonia due to combinations of parasitic, bacterial and mycotic infections, seven died as a consequence of live-stranding, six died from generalised bacterial infections, five died from physical trauma of unknown cause, three died as a result of trauma resulting from boat/ship strike, three died consequential to gastric impaction, two died from a heavy gastric parasite burden, one died as a result of potential attack by grey seal/s (see below), one from meningoencephalitis, one had

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 neoplasia (a testicular seminoma) and suppurative orchitis (severe/chronic), one had a vegetative endocarditis and renal abscessation (associated with Salmonella sp. infection), one had a multiple site infection with Candida albicans and a cause of death could not be established in two individuals (Table 8).

Previous work published by stranding networks in Belgium and France (Haelters et al., 2013 and Bouveroux et al., 2014) has identified the grey seal as a potential predator of harbour porpoises. During 2013, several UK stranded harbour porpoises have also presented pathology that was potentially consistent with grey seal attack or post-mortem scavenging. Plate 3 shows images of a harbour porpoise that stranded in Wells-next-the-sea in Norfolk on 3rd March. Although a full necropsy was not possible because of the extensive tissue loss, the juvenile female porpoise appeared to be in good nutritional condition, had been feeding around the time of death and appeared to have died acutely. The extensive tissue loss and identification of possible bitemarks in remaining sections of blubber, indicate that this animal might have been attacked by one or more grey seals. Alternatively, there may have been another aetiology to the proximal cause of death and the carcass was then scavenged by one or more seals post-mortem.

Plate 3 Harbour porpoise exhibiting pathology potentially consistent with predation or post-mortem scavenging by grey seals (SW2013/629, image credit CSIP/ZSL)

In addition, Plate 4 shows images from a harbour porpoise that stranded in Sheerness, Kent on 2nd June. The juvenile male porpoise was in poor nutritional condition at death and had possibly live stranded. The bacteriology findings were consistent with a systemic generalised bacterial infection with Streptococcus canis. The initial route of infection may have been via the chronic lesions observed on the caudal peduncle, which were thought to be consistent with bite marks possibly made by a seal.

It is also possible that some of the cases previously identified as potential atypical ship strike cases (e.g. Deaville et al., 2012 and 2013) may also represent cases of grey seal attack or post-mortem scavenging by grey seals. A review of previous atypical trauma cases is ongoing and results will be presented at a later date.

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Plate 4 Possible bitemarks on tail stock of a harbour porpoise found stranded in Kent, with right hand image illustrating chronic nature of injuries (SW2013/309, image credit CSIP/ZSL)

Annual data for several of the main cause of death categories in harbour porpoises over a five year period (2009-2013 inclusive) are shown in Figure 13. Data is shown for the annual proportions of harbour porpoises that died of by-catch, infectious disease, starvation, as a result of attack from bottlenose dolphins, live stranding, ship-strike and other cause of death categories (including where a cause of death could not be established). There were no consistent trends in any cause of death category for UK-stranded harbour porpoises between 2009 and 2013 (Figure 13).

Figure 12 Monthly reported strandings of harbour porpoises in the UK in 2013 compared to mean number of reported strandings (+/- 1SD) for 2009-2012 period.

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Figure 13 Proportions of major cause of death categories in UK stranded harbour porpoises examined at post mortem 2009-2013

5.2 Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

During 2013, 69 stranded short-beaked common dolphins (26 males, 26 females and 17 of unknown sex) were reported in the UK, a figure broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years, excluding the historically low number recorded in 2010 (Tables 1 and 2; Deaville, 2011). Of these, 51 stranded in England, nine in Scotland, seven in Wales and two in Northern Ireland (Figure 11). Of the 69 reported strandings in 2013, 20 were investigated at post mortem (14 were conducted in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland- Tables 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7). A cause of death was established in 18 individuals (90 % of examined cases). Seven died following entanglement in fishing gear (by-catch), two died as a consequence of live-stranding, two died as a result of starvation, one died from a generalised bacterial infection, one from meningoencephalitis, one died as a result of trauma resulting from boat/ship strike, one was a neonatal death, one had a spinal deformity (scoliosis) and poor nutritional status, one had a spinal deformity (kyphosis) possibly consequential to historical trauma and one had a gastric impaction (Table 8).

As in previous years, strandings of common dolphins are strongly spatially and temporally explicit, with a majority occurring in south-west England (Figure 11) from December-April (Figure 14).

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Figure 14 Monthly reported strandings of short-beaked common dolphins in the UK in 2013 compared to mean number of reported strandings (+/- 1SD) for 2009-2012 period.

Annual data for several of the main cause of death categories in short-beaked common dolphins over a five year period (2009-2013 inclusive) are shown in Figure 15. Data is shown for the annual proportions of short-beaked common dolphins that died as a result of by-catch, infectious disease, live stranding and also where a cause of death could not be established. The relative incidence of by-catch recorded in stranded short-beaked common dolphins in 2013 was broadly comparable to the figure recorded during previous years (Figure 15)- the reason/s for the inter-annual fluctuation in recorded incidence of by-catch in short-beaked common dolphins examined at post mortem are not currently clear.

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Figure 15 Proportions of major cause of death categories in UK-stranded short-beaked common dolphins examined at post mortem 2009-2013

5.3 White-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)

Nineteen stranded white-beaked dolphins (seven males, four females and eight of unknown sex) were reported in the UK during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2). Twelve were found stranded in Scotland and seven in England (Figure 16). Of the 19 stranded white-beaked dolphins, three were investigated at post mortem (two in Scotland and one in England- Tables 3, 4 and 5). Of these, two died as a consequence of live- stranding and one from possible physical trauma of unknown origin (Table 8).

5.4 Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)

Seventeen stranded striped dolphins (seven males, five females and five of unknown sex) were reported in the UK during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2). Nine were found stranded in Scotland, five in Wales and three in England (Figure 16). Of the 17 stranded striped dolphins, six were investigated at post mortem (two in England, two in Scotland and two in Wales- Tables 3, 4, 5 and 6). Of these, three died as a result of starvation (one of which was consequential to fracture of the mandible and maxilla), one died as a consequence of meningoencephalitis (associated with Brucella sp. infection), one from a parasitic pneumonia and one as a consequence of acute physical trauma of unknown origin (Table 8). Meningoencephalitis associated with Brucella sp. infection has been previously described in striped dolphins found live stranded in the UK (González et al., 2002; Davison et al., 2009). 28

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5.5 Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

Sixteen stranded minke whales (eight females, two males and six of unknown sex) were reported in the UK during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2). Eight were found stranded in England and seven in Scotland (Figure 17). Of the 16 stranded minke whales, six were investigated at post mortem (four in England and two in Scotland- Tables 3, 4 and 5). Of these, three died as a consequence of entanglement, one was a possible ship strike and one died as a result of a generalised bacterial infection (Table 8). One of the entanglement cases was a chronically entangled and is described in more detail in Appendix 3. The potential ship strike case was found stranded at Sea Palling in Norfolk on 23rd November (SW2013/562, Plate 5). The whale was in very good nutritional condition and had a large quantity of recently ingested prey in the fore stomach. Haemorrhage and oedema (an excessive accumulation of serous fluid in the intercellular spaces of tissue) was found on the dorsal and right lateral aspect of the body and a number of recently fractured cervical vertebra were also found. In addition, a second minke whale stranded four days earlier at nearby Cromer in Norfolk (SW2013/559, Plate 5). Unfortunately the CSIP was not able to attend this stranding, but photos obtained indicate that it was also a probable ship-strike case, with multiple deep linear incisions on the dorsal aspect and a fractured and missing section of maxilla. Local reports indicate that large numbers of herring were close to shore in the days preceding the strandings and it is possible that this may have brought cetaceans close in shore to feed and at consequent increased risk of fatal interaction with vessels. Ship-strike is a major cause of large cetacean anthropogenic mortality in areas frequented by ships in other parts of the world, but relatively few cases have been recorded by the CSIP in UK stranded large cetaceans to date.

Plate 5 Minke whales found stranded at Cromer (SW2013/559, left hand image) and at Sea Palling in Norfolk (SW2013/562, right hand image) Images credit Poppyland Nature and MCA

5.6 Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas)

Fifteen stranded long-finned pilot whales (four males, two females and nine of unknown sex) were reported in the UK during 2013, a figure lower than the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2). This decrease is consequential to the mass strandings in 2011 and 2012 (Deaville et al., 2012 and

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 2013). Twelve were found stranded in Scotland, two in England and one in Northern Ireland (Figure 16). Of the 15 stranded long-finned pilot whales, six were investigated at post mortem (four in Scotland, one in England and one in Northern Ireland- Tables 3, 4, 5 and 7). Of these, three died as a consequence of live stranding (two during the mass stranding event in Portmahomack, described in Section 4.1), two from meningoencephalitis and one was a starved neonate (Table 8).

Plate 6 Long-finned pilot whale (SW2013/502) live stranding at Portballintrae, County Antrim (image credit NIEA)

5.7 Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Nine stranded bottlenose dolphins (four males, one female and four of unknown sex) were reported in the UK during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2). Five were found stranded in Scotland, two in England and one in Wales (Figure 16). A single stranded bottlenose dolphin from Scotland was investigated at post mortem and was found to have died as a consequence of live-stranding (Tables 3, 5 and 8).

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 5.8 Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus)

Seven stranded Risso’s dolphins (one male and six of unknown sex) were reported in the UK during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2). Four were found stranded in Scotland, one in England and one in Wales (Figure 16). No stranded Risso’s dolphins were investigated at post-mortem.

5.9 Sowerby’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens)

Five stranded Sowerby’s beaked whales (two males, one female and two of unknown sex) were reported in the UK during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2). Four were found stranded in Scotland and one in England (Figure 16). Of the five stranded Sowerby’s beaked whales, three were investigated at post mortem (two in Scotland and one in Wales- Tables 3, 5 and 6). Of these, two died as a consequence of live-stranding (one during the mass stranding event in St. Kilda, described in Section 4.1) and one was a suspected ship-strike (Table 8).

Plate 7 Sowerby’s beaked whale (SW2013/261) post-mortem examination at Clarach, Ceredigion (image credit CSIP/ZSL)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 5.10 Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Five stranded sperm whales (three males and two of unknown sex) were reported stranded in Scotland during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2 and Figure 16). No sperm whales were investigated at post mortem during 2013.

5.11 Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus)

Three stranded Atlantic white-sided dolphins (two males and one of unknown sex) were reported in Scotland during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2 and Figure 16). No stranded Atlantic white-sided dolphins were investigated at post mortem during 2013.

5.12 Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

Two fin whales (one male and one of unknown sex) were reported in the UK during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2). One was found stranded in Scotland and one in Wales (Figure 17). The fin whale which live stranded in Scotland was investigated at post mortem and was found to have died as a consequence of meningoencephalitis (Tables 3, 5 and 8).

5.13 Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Two stranded humpback whales (one female and one of unknown sex) were reported stranded in England during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2 and Figure 17). A single humpback whale was investigated at post mortem and a cause of death could not be established (Tables 3, 4 and 8).

5.14 Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis)

A single female sei whale was reported stranded in Northern Ireland during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2 and Figure 17). It was not possible to conduct a full necropsy of the whale and minimal samples only were collected by staff of NIEA.

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Plate 8 Humpback whale (SW2013/114) found floating off Sheerness in Kent (image credit CSIP/ZSL)

Plate 9 Sei whale (SW2013/501) stranded at Red Bay, County Antrim in Northern Ireland (image credit NIEA)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 5.15 Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps)

A single stranded female pygmy sperm whale was reported in Scotland during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number recorded during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2 and Figure 16). It was investigated at post mortem and was found to have died as a result of as a consequence of live-stranding (Tables 3, 5 and 8).

Plate 10 Pygmy sperm whale (SW2013/473) stranded at Banff, Aberdeenshire (image credit CSIP/SRUC)

5.16 Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris)

A single stranded Cuvier’s beaked whale of unknown sex was reported in Scotland during 2013, a number broadly comparable to the number recorded during each of the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2 and Figure 16). The stranded whale was not examined at post-mortem.

5.17 Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris)

A single male Blainville’s beaked whale was reported stranded in England during 2013 (Tables 1 and 2 and Figure 16). This is only the second reported stranding of this species in the UK since the inception of the CSIP in 1990, with the previous stranding reported in Wales in 1993. The autolysed whale was not examined at post- mortem, as the carcass washed away before a pathologist could attend on site. The 34

www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 whale was subsequently identified to species level through examination of photos taken of the stranding by volunteers of the CWTMSN (pers. comm. Dr. Colin MacLeod and others).

Plate 11 Blainville’s beaked whale (SW2013/626) stranded at Kenneggy Sands in Cornwall (images credit CWTMSN)

Figure 16 Distribution of other odontocete strandings in the UK (2013) 35

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Figure 17 Distribution of mysticete strandings in the UK (2013)

5.18 Indeterminate cetacean species

Once decomposition or scavenging has destroyed identifiable external characteristics, distinguishing between morphologically similar species (such as short-beaked common dolphins and striped dolphins) can be difficult. Consequently, during 2013 there were 35 strandings of cetaceans that were too decomposed, incomplete or inaccessible to enable either accurate identification or retrieval for further investigation at post mortem (Tables 1 and 2). These consisted of indeterminate cetaceans (n=18), indeterminate odontocetes (n=6), short beaked common dolphins/striped dolphins (n=5), indeterminate dolphin species (n=4) and indeterminate baleen whale species (n=2).

5.19 Marine turtles

In 2013, five UK stranded marine turtles or marine turtles found dead at sea in UK waters were reported to Marine Environmental Monitoring2, the UK and Republic of Ireland co-ordinator for marine turtle strandings (www.strandings.com). This number

2 Marine turtle stranding information in this report is provided courtesy of Marine Environmental Monitoring (MEM, www.strandings.com/Wales.html)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 is broadly comparable with previous years (Figure 18; Penrose and Gander 2014), excluding the unusual number of stranded loggerhead turtles recorded during 2008 (Penrose and Gander 2009). The five reports consisted of two stranded leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), one stranded loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), one stranded Kemp’s ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and one of a marine turtle of indeterminate identity reported floating dead at sea (Tables 1 and 2).

Both of the leatherback turtles and the loggerhead turtle were reported in England, the Kemp’s ridley turtle was reported in Wales and the indeterminate identity turtle was reported in Scotland (Figure 19). The loggerhead turtle and the Kemp’s ridley turtle were examined at post-mortem and were found to have died of; cold stunning and physical trauma (probably consequential to stranding during a period of heavy storm activity); and cold stunning respectfully. Further information on UK stranded marine turtles reported during 2013 is available in the UK and Republic of Ireland annual marine turtle report for 2013 (Penrose and Gander 2014).

Plate 12 Loggerhead turtle (T2013/28) found stranded at Worthing in East Sussex (image credit CSIP/ZSL)

5.20 Basking sharks

A single basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) was reported stranded in Scotland during 2013, a figure broadly comparable to that reported during the previous four years (Tables 1 and 2 and Figure 20). No UK stranded basking sharks were investigated at post mortem during 2013.

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Figure 18 Annual numbers of UK reported marine turtles (2004-2013)

Figure 19 Distribution of marine turtle Figure 20 Distribution of basking shark strandings in the UK (2013) strandings in the UK (2013)

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5.21 Seals

Although seals are no longer a formal part of the UK wide CSIP remit, funding for the investigation of seal mortality in Scotland is provided by Marine Scotland and conducted by the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (www.strandings.org). In addition, data on dead stranded seals are also collected on an ad hoc basis in the rest of the UK by the CSIP and in Cornwall by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network. During 2013, 398 dead stranded seals were reported in the UK, consisting of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus, n=288), common seals (Phoca vitulina, n=45), hooded seals (Cystophora cristata, n=1) and seals of indeterminate identity (n=64). The majority were reported in Scotland (n=214), with smaller numbers in England (n=101), Wales (n=82) and the Isle of Man (n=1). No data is available for Northern Ireland. Figure 21 illustrates that there is a good reporting network in Scotland, Wales and Cornwall, but coverage in the rest of England appears poor. This is probably consequential to a reduction in effort since the last period of UK wide funding for seal mortality investigation during the phocine distemper virus outbreak in 2002-03 (Lawson and Jepson, 2003). There has been an increase in reported dead strandings over the last five year period, primarily driven by an increase in reported strandings in Scotland (Figure 22). During 2013, 28 seals were investigated at post- mortem, with the majority performed in Scotland (n=21). A small number of opportunistic seal post-mortem examinations were also carried out in England (n=7) under ad hoc funding (e.g. under the AHVLA Diseases of Wildlife Scheme). Further information on seal mortality investigation in Scotland can be found at www.strandings.org.

Figure 21 Distribution of dead seal strandings in the UK (2013)

Figure 22 Annual variation in reported dead seal strandings in the UK (2009-2013) NB no data available for Northern Ireland

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 6 Post mortem investigations and causes of death data

Table 3 Post-mortem investigations conducted on UK-stranded cetaceans during 2013

Species Number Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) 95 Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) 20 Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) 6 Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) 6 Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) 6 White beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) 3 Sowerby’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) 3 Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) 1 Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) 1 Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) 1 Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) 1

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) 1 Kemp’s ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) 1

Total 145

Table 4 Post-mortem investigations conducted on stranded cetaceans and marine turtles in England during 2013

Species Number Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) 42 Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) 14 Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) 4 Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) 2 White beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) 1 Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) 1 Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) 1

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) 1

Total 66

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Table 5 Post-mortem investigations conducted on stranded cetaceans in Scotland during 2013

Species Number Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) 30 Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) 4 Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) 2 Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) 2 White beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) 2 Sowerby’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) 2 Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) 2 Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) 1 Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) 1 Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) 1

Total 47

Table 6 Post-mortem investigations conducted on stranded cetaceans and marine turtles in Wales during 2013

Species Number Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) 19 Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) 3 Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) 2 Sowerby’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) 1

Kemp’s ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) 1

Total 26

Table 7 Post-mortem investigations conducted on stranded cetaceans in Northern Ireland during 2013

Species Number Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) 4 Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) 1 Long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) 1

Total 6

NB Post-mortem examinations in Northern Ireland are carried out by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, under contract to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, which kindly provided NI data for Tables 7 and 8

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Table 8 Causes of death of cetaceans and marine turtles examined at post mortem in the UK in 2013

Species Cause of death category No. Harbour porpoise By-catch 16 (Phocoena phocoena, n=95) Bottlenose Dolphin Attack 15 Starvation 14 Starvation (neonate) 9 Live Stranding 7 Generalised Bacterial Infection 6 Pneumonia, Parasitic 5 Physical trauma (unidentified cause) 5 Others 5 Physical trauma, Boat/Ship Strike 3 Gastritis &/or Enteritis 2 Pneumonia, Mycotic 2 Pneumonia, Bacterial 1 Grey Seal Attack 1 (Meningo)encephalitis 1 Neoplasia 1 Not Established 2

Short-beaked common dolphin By-catch 7 (Delphinus delphis, n=20) Others 3 Live Stranding 2 Starvation 2 Generalised Bacterial Infection 1 (Meningo)encephalitis 1 Physical trauma, Boat/Ship Strike 1 Neonatal Death 1 Not Established 2

Striped dolphin Starvation 3 (Stenella coeruleoalba, n=6) (Meningo)encephalitis 1 Pneumonia, Parasitic 1 Physical trauma (unidentified cause) 1

Long-finned pilot whale Live Stranding 3 (Globicephala melas, n=6) (Meningo)encephalitis 2 Starvation (neonate) 1

Minke whale Entanglement 3 (Balaenoptera acutorostrata, n=6) Physical trauma, Boat/Ship Strike 1 Live Stranding 1 Generalised Bacterial Infection 1

White-beaked dolphin Live Stranding 2 (Lagenorhynchus albirostris, n=3) Physical trauma (unidentified cause) 1

Sowerby’s beaked whale Live stranding 2 (Mesoplodon bidens, n=3) Physical trauma, Boat/Ship Strike 1

Bottlenose dolphin Live stranding 1 (Tursiops truncatus, n=1)

Fin whale (Meningo) encephalitis 1 (Balaenoptera physalus, n=1)

Humpback whale Not Established 1 (Megaptera novaeangliae, n=1)

Pygmy sperm whale Live stranding 1 (Kogia breviceps, n=1)

Loggerhead turtle Cold stunned 1 (Caretta caretta, n=1)

Kemp’s ridley turtle Cold stunned 1 (Lepidochelys kempii, n=1)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 7 Spatial distribution of cause of death categories

NB Figure legend given overleaf

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Figure 23 Spatial distribution of cetacean strandings examined at post-mortem in 2013 and diagnosed to have died as a result of;

a) starvation (n=29, includes ten neonates); b) infectious disease (n=27); c) by-catch and entanglement (n=26); d) live stranding (n=19); e) violent interactions with bottlenose dolphins (n=15) f) boat/ship strike (n=6)

Spatial distributions of the six main cause of death categories (starvation, infectious disease, by-catch/entanglement, live-stranding, attack from bottlenose dolphins and boat/ship strike) for 2013 are given in the preceding figures (Figures 23a-21f).

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 8 Collaborations and outputs

As well as delivering the core objectives required under this contract, the CSIP is also involved in a large amount of interdisciplinary collaborative science, in an effort to gain a better understanding of the conservation threats to cetaceans, as well as learning more about their biology, life history etc. As part of these national and international collaborations (see 8.2), numerous peer reviewed publications are produced each year in the scientific literature, with over 200 now published where there was direct involvement and/or co-authorship of the CSIP (see 8.3 for those published during 2013).

8.1 Investigations of relationships between environmental contaminants and health status

During 2013, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), in collaboration with the CSIP, finalised analyses on 119 cetaceans for levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s). Samples were derived from both stranded and biopsied animals across Europe and comprised harbour porpoises (n=60), bottlenose dolphins (n=41) and killer whales (n=18). The funding for these analyses was provided by Defra through their Service Level Agreement with CEFAS and also through a variation to the CSIP contract, under the small project “Risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure in marine top predators”. As a result of these and previous analyses carried out on UK stranded cetaceans (including those funded under a small ASCOBANS project in 2010, reference SSFA2010-3), the Institute of Zoology is currently leading the production of a paper describing levels of PCB's in over 1000 cetaceans sampled across Europe between 1990 and 2012. This paper will be submitted for publication during 2014.

In addition, during 2013, publications were produced on levels of organochlorine pesticides and chlorobiphenyls in by-caught common dolphins (Law et al. 2013a) and also on levels of alternative flame retardants in UK stranded harbour porpoises (Law et al. 2013b), as a result of the ongoing collaboration between CEFAS and the UK strandings programme.

8.2 Additional collaborative research activity

In addition to the collection, analysis and reporting for the purposes of MB0111, samples and data collected by the CSIP since 1990 continue to be used in a number of research collaborations. These currently include;

Dr. Simon Northridge, Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Teeth and stomach contents from cetaceans stranded in England and Wales are routinely sent for teeth ageing and stomach content analysis respectively. This biological data from UK stranded cetaceans forms an integral part of additional Defra-funded research on cetacean by-catch co-ordinated by the Sea Mammal

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Research Unit. Stomach contents analysis of Scottish stranded white-beaked dolphins is also undertaken. Robin Law, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Suffolk, England. Marine contaminant studies on UK stranded cetaceans. Dr. Ailsa Hall, Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Blubber and lung samples from UK-stranded seal and cetacean species are being analysed as part of a bioinformatics study of leptin (a multifunctional hormone involved in body fat regulation and respiratory function). The investigation is trying to determine how leptin structure has evolved in species with very different diving capabilities and physiologies. Marine mammal immune function studies- liver samples from a range of UK-stranded marine mammal species are being used for exploratory studies of innate immunity, particularly the expression of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidins and definsins. Domoic acid assays (from mass strandings etc). Dr. Mark Dagleish & Johanna Baily Moredun, Research Institute, Midlothian, Scotland. Histopathological studies on cetacean tissues from Scottish cetaceans. Dr. Graham Pierce, School of Biological Science, Lighthouse Field Station, University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Collaboration on life history, dietary and toxicological studies of Scottish stranded harbour porpoises and other cetaceans. Professor Antonio Fernandez, Dr Manolo Arbelo and Dr Eva Sierra, Facultad de Veterinaria Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Pathological investigations into gas and fat embolism in cetaceans. Immunohistochemical investigations of intracytoplasmic inclusions in cetacean hepatocytes. Immunohistochemical studies of muscle fibre types and interstitial skeletal muscle fat globules in shallow and deep-diving cetaceans. Dr. Sinead Murphy, Institute of Zoology and Massey University, New Zealand. EU- funded CETACEAN STRESSORS Marie Curie Fellowship investigating biological and environmental factors influencing reproductive success in short beaked common dolphins in Europe and New Zealand. Lorraine Perrett, BAC3 Brucella Reference Laboratory, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, England. Serological studies to assess exposure to Brucella spp. and typing of Brucella isolates. Professor Richard Thompson and Dr. Kimberley Bennett, Plymouth University, Devon, England. Analysis of stranded animals for microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract (under contract to Defra) Dr. Hélène Peltier and Professor Vincent Ridoux, CRMM, Université de La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France. Drift modelling of European stranded cetaceans. Dr. Sami Hassani, Oceanopolis, Brest, France. Population structure of harbour porpoises and grey seals. Dr. Paul Long, Kings College London, London, England. Analysis of photo-protection strategies in cetaceans. Dr. Duncan Odom, Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge, England. Liver samples from stranded cetaceans for a large-scale comparative genomics project.

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Marie Louis, Université de La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France. Population structure of European stranded bottlenose dolphins. Prof. A.R. Hoelzel, School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, England. Population structure of European populations of white-beaked dolphins and Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Dr. Per Berggren, Newcastle University, Newcastle, England. Strandings in the north- east of England. Dr. Andy Foote, Centre for GeoGenetics, The Natural History Museum of Denmark, Denmark. Population structure of European stranded cetaceans. Dr. Gabrielle Stalder, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Vienna, Austria. Faecal material from stranded cetaceans, to conduct comparative analyses of microorganisms. Dr. Andrew Kitchener, Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland. Marine mammal skulls and scapulae are sent to Dr.. Kitchener for marine mammal morphometric studies. Prof. Paul Thompson, School of Biological Science, Lighthouse Field Station, University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Collaboration on biological and genetic studies of harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins. Gilles Vergnaud, University of South Paris, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, France. Molecular typing of Brucella isolates. Dr. Peter Ditchfield, Department of Archaeology, University of Oxford, England. Marine mammal samples are supplied for studies of stable isotopes. Dr. Gareth Pearce, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK and Dr. Marie-Françoise Van Bressem, Cetacean Conservation Medicine Group, Starnberg, Germany. Analysis of morphology and molecular characterisation of poxvirus lesions in free-ranging cetaceans. Dr. Conor Ryan, Galway City, Co. Galway, Ireland. Stable isotope analysis of whale baleen. Dr. Eva Krupp, Aberdeen University. King's College, Aberdeen, Scotland. Metals analysis of pilot whale MSE Maria Morell, Laboratori d'Aplicacions Bioacústiques Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech, Spain. Analysis of ears from mass stranded animals. Dr. Kevin Robinson, CRRU Gardenston, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Bottlenose dolphin kills on harbour porpoises in Scotland. Michael Bedington, Scottish Marine Institute Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA. Strandings location details for tidal drift modelling. Joanna Kershaw, Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Harbour porpoise and large cetacean blubber samples. Dr. Tom Brown, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Devon, England. Liver samples to test for regional variation in marine mammal diet determined using IP25 and related highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) diatom biomarkers 48

www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Paolo Cipriani Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, University of Rome, Italy. Characterisation of parasites of the genus Anisakis from Physeter macrocephalus (and other pelagic cetaceans) Dr. Merel Dalebout, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Genetic analysis of Cuvier’s beaked whale Christina Fossi, University of Siena, Via Banchi di Sotto, Siena, Italy. Microplastics in baleen whales. Roger Ayling, Mycoplasma dept, AHVLA, Addlestone, England. Identification of Mycoplasma sp. isolates from marine mammals

8.3 2013 Publications

Arbelo, M., Espinosa De Los Monteros, A.; Herráez, P., Jepson, P.D., Fernández, A. (2013) Pathology and causes of death of stranded cetaceans in Canary Islands (1999-2005) Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 103: 87-99. Barnett, J.E.F., Booth, P., Brewer, J.I., Chanter, J., Cooper, T., Crawshaw, T., Davison, N.J., Greenwood, A., Riley, P., Smith, N.H. and Wessels, M. (2013) Mycobacterium bovis infection in a grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) (2013). Veterinary Record doi:10.1136/vr.101152 Blacklaws, BA, Gajda AM, Tippelt S, Jepson PD, Deaville R, Van Bressem M-F and Pearce GP (2013) Molecular characterization of poxviruses associated with tattoo skin lesions in UK cetaceans. PLoS ONE 8(8): e71734. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071734 Bogich, T.L., Funk, S., Malcolm, T.R., Chhun, N., Epstein, J.H., Chmura, A.A., Kilpatrick, A.M., Brownstein, J.S., Hutchison, O.C., Doyle-Capitman, C., Deaville, R., Morse, S.S., Cunningham, A.A. and Daszak, P (2013) Using network theory for identifying disease outbreaks of unknown origin. J R Soc Interface doi: 10.1098/rsif.2012.0904 Brown, T.A., Belt S.T., Ferguson, S.H., Yurkowski, D.J., Davison, N.J., Barnett, J. and Jepson, P.D. (2013) Regional variation in marine mammal diet determined using IP25 and related highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) diatom biomarkers. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 441: 99-104. Brownlow, A. and Davison, N.J. (2013) Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme Annual Report 2012 (http://www.strandings.org/reports/SMASS_Annual_Report_2012.pdf) Davison, N.J., Barnett, J.E.F., Perrett, L.L., Dawson, C.E., Perkins, M.W., Deaville, R.C. and Jepson, P.D. (2013) First case of meningitis and arthritis associated with Brucella ceti in a short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) Journal of Wildlife Diseases 49(3): 632-639 doi: 10.7589/2012-06-165. Deaville, R. (compiler) (2013) UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme annual report, 2012 (http://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=11840_FINALUKCSIPAnnualReport 2012.pdf) Delannoy, C. M. J., Crumlish, M., Fontaine, M. C., Pollock, J., Foster, G., Dagleish, M. P., Turnbull, J. and Zadoks, R. N. (2013) Human Streptococcus agalactiae strains in aquatic mammals and fish. BMC Microbiology 13:41. 49

www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Foster, G., Stevenson, K., Reid, R.J., Barley, J.P., Baily, J.L., Harris, R.N. and Dagleish M.P. (2013) Infection due to Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium in a free- ranging common seal (Phoca vitulina) in Scotland. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 49(3), 2013, pp. 732–734 Godfroid, J., Nymo, I. H., Tryland, M., Cloeckaert, A., Jauniaux, T., Whatmore, A. M., Moreno, E. and Foster, G. (2013) Brucella ceti and Brucella pinnipedialis infections in marine mammals. In New Directions in Conservation Medicine pp. 257-269. Edited by A. A. Aguirre and R. S. Ostfield. New York: Oxford University Press. Jepson P.D., Deaville R., Acevedo-Whitehouse K., Barnett, J., Brownlow A., Brownell Jr, R.L., Clare F.C, Davison N.C., Law R.J., Loveridge J., Macgregor S.K., Morris S., Murphy S., Penrose R., Perkins M.W., Pinn E., Seibel, H., Siebert, U., Sierra E., Simpson V., Tasker M.L., Tregenza N., Cunningham A.A. and Fernández A. (2013) What caused the UK’s largest common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) mass stranding event? PLoS ONE 8(4): e60953. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0060953 Law RJ; Bersuder P; Barry J; Barber J; Deaville R; Barnett J; Jepson PD (2013) Organochlorine pesticides and chlorobiphenyls in the blubber of bycaught female common dolphins from England and Wales. Marine Pollution Bulletin 69: 238-242. Law, R.J., Losada, S., Barber, J.L, Bersuder, P., Deaville, R., Brownlow, A., Penrose, R. and Jepson, P.D. (2013) Alternative flame retardants, Dechlorane Plus and BDEs in the blubber of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded or bycaught in the UK during 2008. Envi. Int. 60 81-88 Moore M., Van der Hoop, J., Barco S., Costidis A., Gulland F.M.D., Jepson P.D., Moore K., McLellan W. (2013) Criteria and Case Definitions for Serious Injury and Death of Marine Mammals Caused by Anthropogenic Trauma: Underwater Entrapment, Chronic Entanglement, Sharp and Blunt Vessel, and Gunshot. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms doi: 10.3354/dao02566 Murphy, S., Pinn, E. and Jepson, P.D. (2013) A review of the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in the North-east Atlantic: distribution, ecology and conservation status. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 51, 193-280. Nymo I., Tryland M., Frie A. K., Haug T., Foster G., Rødven R., Godfroid J. (2013) Age-dependent prevalence of anti-Brucella antibodies in hooded seals (Cystophora cristata). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 106: 187-196. Peltier, H., Dabin, W., Daniel, P., Deaville, R., Haelters, J., Jensen, L.F., Jepson P.D., Keijl, G.O., Siebert U., Van Canneyt, O., Ridoux, V. (2013) The null hypothesis and the analysis of stranding anomalies of harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, in the North Sea and the Bay of Biscay PLOS ONE 8(4): e62180. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0062180 Penrose, R.S. (2013). Marine Mammal & Marine Turtle Strandings (Welsh Coast) Annual Report 2012 (http://www.strandings.com/Graphics%20active/2012%20Marine%20Mammal%20Strandings%20An nual%20Report.pdf) Penrose, R.S. and Gander, L.R. (2013). UK & Republic of Ireland Marine Turtle Strandings & Sightings Annual Report 2012 (http://www.strandings.com/Graphics%20active/2012%20Turtle%20Annual%20Strandings%20Repo rt.pdf)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Reinhart, N.R., Ferguson, S.H., Koski, W.R., Higdon, J.W., LeBlanc, B., Tervo, O. and Jepson, P.D. (2013) An assessment of killer whale Orcinus orca rake mark occurrence in the Eastern Canada-West Greenland bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus population Polar Biology 36(8): 1133-1146. doi: 10.1007/s00300-013- 1335-3 Ryan, C., McHugh, B., Trueman, C.N., Sabin, R., Deaville, R., Harrod, C., Berrow, S.D., and O'Connor, I. (2013) Stable isotope analysis of baleen reveals resource partitioning among four sympatric species of rorqual and population structure in fin whales in the Northeast Atlantic. Marine Environmental Progress Series 479:251- 261. doi:10.3354/meps10231 Siebert, U., Jepson, P.D. and Wohlsein, P. (2013) First indication of gas embolism in a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in German waters. European Journal of Wildlife Research 59:441–444. doi 10.1007/s10344-013-0700-4

Figure 24 shows the annual number of peer-reviewed publications produced over the length of the project (direct involvement of the CSIP only), illustrating that an increasing number are produced each year. This is in large part due to the longevity of the research programme and the increasing sizes of the strandings dataset and national tissue archive in the UK.

Figure 24 Annual publications produced by the CSIP and through collaborations (1990-2013)

8.4 2012 Conference abstracts

Barnett, J., Cranwell, M., Davison, N., Deaville, R., Loveridge, J., Monies, R., Quinney, S., Simpson, V., Turk, S. and Jepson, P. (2013) 27 years of cetacean necropsies in southwest England- a summary of pathology found. Proceedings of the 27th annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Setubal, Portugal, 8th-10th April 2013. 51

www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Brownlow, A., Bexton, S., Milne, R., Culloch, R. and Thompson, D. (2013) Spiralling trauma? Describing a novel form of pinniped mortality in the UK. Proceedings of the 27th annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Setubal, Portugal, 8th- 10th April 2013. Brownlow, A., Thompson, D., Bexton, S., Milne, R., Culloch, R. and Davison, N. (2013) Corkscrew seals: Individual and population impact of a novel form of pinniped mortality. Proceedings of the 20th biennial conference of the Society for Marine Mammology, Dunedin, New Zealand, 9th-13th December 2013. Davison, N., Barnett, J., Perrett, L., Dawson, C., Perkins, M., Deaville, R. and Jepson, P. (2013) First case of meningitis associated with Brucella ceti in a short- beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) Proceedings of the 27th annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Setubal, Portugal, 8th-10th April 2013. Deaville, R., Brownlow, A., Penrose, P., Smith, B., Barnett, J., Perkins M. and Jepson, P. (2013) Turning the screw: ship strike in UK stranded cetaceans Proceedings of the 27th annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Setubal, Portugal, 8th-10th April 2013. Deaville, R. (2013) White-beaked dolphin strandings in the UK (1913-2012) ECS/ASCOBANS Workshop on the Assessment of White beaked dolphins - Proceedings of the 27th annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Setubal, Portugal, 8th-10th April 2013. Deaville, R. (2013) Data recording and sample gathering from the dead animal ECS Best practice Rescue Workshop - Proceedings of the 27th annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Setubal, Portugal, 8th-10th April 2013. Deaville, R., Brownlow, A., Penrose, P., Smith, B., Barnett, J., Perkins M. and Jepson, P. (2013) Turning the screw: ship strike in UK stranded cetaceans Proceedings of the 20th biennial conference of the Society for Marine Mammology, Dunedin, New Zealand, 9th-13th December 2013. Jepson, P., Deaville, R., Barber, J., Barnett, J., Brownlow, A., Davison, N., Fernandez, A., Ferreira, M., Genov. T., Giminez, J., Loveridge, J., Llavona, A., Martin, V., Murphy, S., Penrose, R., Perkins, M., de Stephanis, R., Tregenza, N., Verborgh, P. and Law, R. (2013) Disappearing killer whales (Orcinus orca) and coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Europe: What’s causing the declines? ECS Workshop- bottlenose dolphin conservation: what can we learn from different resident populations? Proceedings of the 27th annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Setubal, Portugal, 8th-10th April 2013. Jepson, P., Deaville, R., Barber, J., Barnett, J., Brownlow, A., Davison, N., Fernandez, A., Ferreira, M., Genov. T., Giminez, J., Loveridge, J., Llavona, A., Martin, V., Murphy, S., Papachlimitzou, A., Penrose, R., Perkins, M., de Stephanis, R., Tregenza, N., Verborgh, P. and Law, R. (2013) Where have all the killer whales gone. Proceedings of the 20th biennial conference of the Society for Marine Mammology, Dunedin, New Zealand, 9th-13th December 2013. Perkins, M., Deaville, R., Brownlow, A., Penrose, R., Smith, B. and Jepson, P. (2013) Investigations of UK stranded beaked whales (1990-2011) Proceedings of the 27th annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Setubal, Portugal, 8th-10th April 2013.

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 8.5 International Whaling Commission workshop on large live stranded cetacean euthanasia

CSIP staff from IoZ organised and chaired an international workshop on "Euthanasia protocols to optimize welfare concerns for live stranded cetaceans" at ZSL over 11-13th September. The workshop was convened under the auspices of the International Whaling Commission, through funding from UK and Norwegian governments. Over 30 attendees from 13 countries were involved and a range of methods (both chemical and physical) were discussed, with presentations covering both categories. It is hoped that the outputs of the workshop (IWC 2014) will provide resource/s for stranding networks, to help address the increasing issue of large whale live strandings and associated increasing welfare issues for those that cannot be refloated.

8.6 Natural History Museum strandings centenary event

A one day meeting was held at the Natural History Museum on 20th September 2013, marking the centenary of collection of data on strandings in the UK. Over 100 individuals attended, including CSIP staff from NHM, ZSL, SRUC and MEM. A range of presentations were given, including some covering the work of the CSIP. The day was felt to be a great success and an excellent way to mark 100 years of research on strandings in the UK. Jan and Jeff Loveridge were also thanked for their years of hard work and support of the UK strandings programme, as they stepped away from active involvement in the Marine Strandings Network in Cornwall.

Plate 13 Minke whale examination from the 1930’s (left hand image) and speakers at the NHM strandings centenary event (right hand image). Images credit NHM

8.7 Science Uncovered, Natural History Museum

CSIP staff from NHM and ZSL ran an exhibit on UK cetaceans and strandings at ‘Science Uncovered’ at the Natural History Museum on 27th September. Skeletal material, parasites and fixed material were on display, along with a video of a short- beaked common dolphin stranding necropsy carried out at ZSL. Over 10000 people attended during the evening.

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Plate 14 CSIP staff from ZSL and NHM at Science Uncovered 27th September. Image credit CSIP/ZSL.

9 References

Bouveroux, T., Kiszka, J., Heithaus, M.R., Jauniaux, T. and Pezeril, S. (2014) Direct evidence for grey seal predation and scavenging on harbour porpoises. Marine Mammal Science DOI:10.1111/mms.12111 Davison, N.J., Cranwell, M.P., Perrett, L.L., Dawson, C.E., Deaville, R., Stubberfield, E.J., Jarvis, D.S. and Jepson, P.D. (2009) Meningoencephalitis associated with Brucella species in a live- stranded striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) in south-west England. Veterinary Record 165, 86-89. Deaville, R. (compiler) (2013) UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme annual report, 2012 (http://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=11840_FINALUKCSIPAnnualReport2012.pd f) Deaville, R. (compiler) (2012) UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme annual report, 2011 (http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=11149_FINALUKCSIPAnnualReport2011(2).pdf) Deaville, R. and Jepson, P.D. (compilers) (2011) UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme Final report for the period 1st January 2005-31st December 2010 (http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=FinalCSIPReport2005- 2010_finalversion061211released[1].pdf) González L, Patterson IA, Reid RJ, Foster G, Barberán M, Blasco JM, Kennedy S, Howie FE, Godfroid J, MacMillan AP, Schock A, Buxton D. (2002) Chronic meningoencephalitis associated with Brucella sp. infection in live-stranded striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Journal of Comparative Pathology 126(2-3):147-52. Haelters, J., Kerckhof, F., Jauniaux, T. and Degraer, S. (2013) The grey seal as a predator of harbour porpoises. Aquatic Mammals, 38(4), 343-353 ICES. 2010. Report of the Working Group on Marine Mammal Ecology (WGMME), 12-15 April 2010, Horta, The Azores. ICES CM 2010/ACOM:24. 212 pp. (www.ices.dk/reports/ACOM/2010/WGMME/wgmme_final_2010.pdf)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 IWC. 2014. Report of the IWC workshop on "Euthanasia Protocols to Optimize Welfare Concerns for Stranded Cetaceans", held at IoZ in September 2013 (http://iwc.int/private/downloads/bcfekn9k5f4sssgg4owscw80c/IWC%20Euthanasia%20Workshop%20Repo rt_FINAL_31-03-14.pdf) Jepson, P.D., Deaville, R., Acevedo-Whitehouse, K., Barnett, J., Brownlow, A., Brownell, Jr, R.L., Clare, F.C, Davison, N.C., Law, R.J., Loveridge, J., Macgregor, S.K., Morris, S., Murphy, S., Penrose, R., Perkins, M.W., Pinn, E., Seibel, H., Siebert, U., Sierra, E., Simpson, V., Tasker, M.L., Tregenza, N., Cunningham, A.A. and Fernández, A. (2013) What caused the UK’s largest common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) mass stranding event? PLoS ONE 8(4): e60953. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0060953 Jepson, P.D. (editor (2005) Cetacean Strandings Investigation and Co-ordination in the UK 2000-2004. Final report to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 79pp. (http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=WP01011_8244_FRP.pdf) Jepson, P.D., Bennett, P.M., Deaville, R., Allchin, C.R., Baker, J.R., Law, R.J. (2005a) Relationships between polychlorinated biphenyls and health status in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded in the United Kingdom. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 24, 238-248. Jepson, P.D., Deaville, R., Patterson, I.A.R., Pocknell, Ross, H.M., Baker, J.R., Howie, F.E., Reid, R.J., Colloff, A. and Cunningham, A.A. (2005b) Acute and chronic gas bubble lesions in cetaceans stranded in the United Kingdom. Veterinary Pathology 42: 291-305 Jepson, P.D., Arbelo, M., Deaville, R., Patterson, I.A.R., Castro, P., Baker, J.R., Degollada, E., Ross, H.M., Herráez, P., Pocknell, A.M., Rodriguez, E., Howie, F.E., Espinosa, A., Reid, R.J., Jaber, J.R., Martin, V., Cunningham, A.A., and Fernandez, A. (2003) Gas-bubble lesions in stranded cetaceans. Nature, 425, 575-576 Jepson, P.D. and Baker, J.R. (1998) Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) as a possible cause of acute traumatic injuries in porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Veterinary Record 143:614-615. Kuiken, T. (Editor) (1996) Diagnosis of By-catch in cetaceans. Proceedings of the Second ECS Workshop on cetacean pathology, Montpelier, France, 2 March 1994. Kuiken, T., Simpson, V.R., Allchin, C.R., Bennett, P.M., Codd, G.A., Harris, E.A., Howes, G.J., Kennedy, S., Kirkwood, J.K., Merrett, N.R. and Phillips, S. (1994) Mass-mortality of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in south west England due to incidental capture in fishing gear. Veterinary Record 134:81-89. Kuiken, T. and Garcia Hartmann, M. (eds.) (1991) Proceedings of the first European Cetacean Society workshop on cetacean pathology: dissection techniques and tissue sampling. ECS newsletter 17, Special issue: 39pp Law RJ; Bersuder P; Barry J; Barber J; Deaville R; Barnett J; Jepson PD (2013a) Organochlorine pesticides and chlorobiphenyls in the blubber of bycaught female common dolphins from England and Wales. Marine Pollution Bulletin 69: 238-242. Law, R.J., Losada, S., Barber, J.L, Bersuder, P., Deaville, R., Brownlow, A., Penrose, R. and Jepson, P.D. (2013b) Alternative flame retardants, Dechlorane Plus and BDEs in the blubber of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded or bycaught in the UK during 2008. Envi. Int. 60 81-88 Law, R.J. (1994). (Compiler). Collaborative UK marine mammal project: summary of data produced 1988-1992. Fisheries Research Technical Report, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Directorate of Fisheries Research, Lowestoft, (97), 42 pp. Lawson, B. and Jepson, P.D. (2003) The investigation of a PDVV epizootic in the UK during 2002/03 http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=WM0301_5242_FRP.pdf Northridge, S., Cargill, A., Coram, A., Mandleberg, L. and Calderan, S. (2010) Entanglement of minke whales in Scottish waters; an investigation into occurrence, causes and mitigation. Final report to Scottish Government. http://www.smru.st-and.ac.uk/documents/347.pdf Penrose, R.S. and Gander, L.R. (2014). UK & Republic of Ireland Marine Turtle Strandings & Sightings Annual Report 2013 (www.strandings.com/Graphics%20active/2012%20Turtle%20Annual%20Strandings%20Report.pdf) Reid, J.B., Evans, P.G.H., and Northridge, S.P. (2003) Atlas of Cetacean distribution in north- west European waters. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. (http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-2713)

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Ross, H.M. and Wilson, B. (1996) Violent interactions between bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B-Biological Sciences 263:283- 286. Work, T.M. (2000) Sea turtle necropsy manual for biologist in remote refuges. USGS national Wildlife Health Centre Necropsy manuals. (www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/necropsy_manuals/Sea_Turtle_Necropsy_Manual-English.pdf) Wyneken, J. (2001) The Anatomy of Sea Turtles. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS- SEFSC-470 (http://courses.science.fau.edu/~jwyneken/sta/SeaTurtleAnatomy.pdf)

10 Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Acute Rapid onset Aetiology The cause of the disease AHVLA Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency BDMLR British Divers Marine Life Rescue By-catch Incidental catch of non-target species during fishing activity Chronic Refers to a persistent, lasting or slow developing disease. CCW Countryside Council for Wales Cold stunned When marine turtles (hard shell species only) become lethargic or comatose following exposure to a drop in temperature CSIP UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme CWTMSN Cornish Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network Defra The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Devolved Administrations The devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales (Scottish Government and Welsh Government) Dystocia Difficulty encountered during the act or process of giving birth Encephalitis Inflammation of the brain. Often viral in origin Enteropathy Disease or abnormality of the intestinal tract Epizootic A rapidly spreading disease which affects a large number of animals in a particular region at the same time Gastropathy Disease or abnormality of the stomach/s Histology The study of tissue sectioned as a thin slice IoZ Institute of Zoology JNCC Joint Nature Conservation Committee Mass stranding When two or more cetaceans (excluding mother-calf pairs) of the same species strand at the same time and location MEM Marine Environmental Monitoring Meningitis Inflammation of the meninges, the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord Meningoencephalitis Infection/inflammation of the meninges and/or brain Morphometric The measurement of shapes or forms MSE Mass stranding event Neoplasia The formation of a tumour NHM Natural History Museum OCs Organochlorine pesticides (e.g. DDT’s, dieldrin etc) Pathology The science/study of the origin, nature and course of disease PBDEs Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, a class of compounds used predominantly as flame retardants PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyls (organochlorine pollutants) PMEs Post-mortem examinations PSG CSIP Project Steering Group SG Scottish Government 56

www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 SMRU Sea Mammal Research Unit SRUC Scottish Rural College (Inverness) Sympatric Occupying the same/overlapping regions without interbreeding Toxicology The science or study of poisons UME Unusual Mortality Event. Defined within the US MMPA as “A stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate response”. WG Welsh Government Zoonosis Infectious disease of animals that can be transmitted to humans

11 Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the continued support and funding of the CSIP by Defra, Welsh Government, Scottish Government and Natural Resources Wales. We would also like to thank the members of the CSIP Steering Group, particularly the contract manager and policy officials within Defra (Carole Kelly, Jim Gray, Nicola Clark, Jamie Rendell and Emma Rundall) and contract managers in Joint Nature Conservation Committee (Eunice Pinn, Kelly Macleod and Mark Tasker) for their comments, advice and support during the period of this report.

The success of the CSIP relies heavily upon the efforts of a countless number of individuals and organisations. We would like to acknowledge and thank the Receiver of Wreck, Alison Kentuck and her deputy Rebecca Austin, along with staff of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for their continued help and assistance with strandings over the last year. Within England, Jan and Jeff Loveridge and members of the CWTMSN have given endless and unstinting help with the coordination and reporting of cetacean strandings in Cornwall for many years, along with support from Dr. Nick Tregenza. Last year, Jan and Jeff decided to step down from coordination of the CWTMSN. Their contributions to the development of the CWTMSN over the last decade has been immense and they have helped shape it into what it has now become- the best run volunteer network in the UK and probably one of the best in Europe. We would like to sincerely thank them for their help and support of the CSIP and their significant contribution to strandings research and wish them all the very best for the future. In Cornwall, we would also like to thank Ruth Williams, Abby Crosby, Niki Clear and all the volunteers of the CWTMSN for their ongoing help and support. In addition, we would also like to thank Prof. Robbie McDonald and Amy Campbell at University of Exeter, Tremough campus for their help and assistance in setting up and running a new pathology facility in Cornwall (see below).

We would like to thank Dr. Per Berggren and the staff at the University of Newcastle/Dove Marine Labs for all their much appreciated assistance and collaboration on strandings in the north-east of England. In Devon, the staff of Devon Wildlife Trust and Lindy Hingley, have been equally helpful in the reporting of a large number of strandings and the collection of carcasses for post-mortem examination. We would also like to acknowledge the ongoing efforts of the Durlston Marine Project and Hampshire Wildlife Trust for assistance with strandings in Dorset and Hampshire. In Wales Paul Newman, Lin Gander, Nia Jones, Sal Shipley, Fiona Read, Judith Oakley, Daphna Feingold, Danielle Gibas, Sarah Perry, Dan Worth, Terry Leadbetter and Steve 57

www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Hartley have all given enormous support to strandings research. Pathologists contributing significantly to strandings research in England and Wales include James Barnett (University of Exeter) and Dr. John Baker and Dr. Julian Chantrey (University of Liverpool).

Plate 15 Jan and Jeff Loveridge

Also in Scotland; Geoff Foster has given invaluable support to the CSIP at SRUC Inverness; Barry McGovern joined the SRUC team in April as temporary strandings co- ordinator. Barry completed a Masters of Research in Marine Mammal Science at St Andrews and worked for the Irish Whale and Dolphin group prior to coming to SRUC; Dr. Mark Dagleish and Johanna Bailey at the Moredun Research Institute conducted histopathological studies on cetacean tissues from Scottish cetaceans. Professor Graham Pierce at Aberdeen University continues to support research on Scottish stranded cetaceans by conducting examination of stomach contents, teeth (for ageing) and gonads. Staff at the National Museums of Scotland also provide assistance, with identification of species using voucher material. Particular thanks in 2012 are due to the staff and students of the Sea Mammal Research Unit, Colin Seddon and the team at the SSPCA National Wildlife Rescue centre, Ross Flett, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.

We would also like to thank and acknowledge; Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for providing information on strandings in Northern Ireland; Laura Hanley and Fiona Gell from the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture (Isle of Man Government) for providing information on strandings in the Isle of Man; and Environment Department (States of Jersey) for strandings in the Channel Islands. Within IoZ, Professor Andrew Cunningham, Shaheed Macgregor, Shinto John and Professors Tim Blackburn, Georgina Mace and Bill Holt have given considerable support to the development of research on UK strandings. Robin Law and colleagues at the CEFAS Lowestoft Laboratory have conducted extensive toxicological analyses of UK strandings, leading to the production of one of the world’s largest datasets on contaminants in cetaceans. We would also like to acknowledge the following colleagues for their ongoing collaboration on research into cetacean gas embolism: Professor Antonio Fernandez (University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain), Dr. Dorian Houser (National Marine Mammal Foundation,

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 USA), Professor Sam Ridgway (National Marine Mammal Foundation, USA), Michael Moore (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, USA) and Peter Tyack (SMRU).

Many individuals and organisations have assisted with the reporting and collection of stranded carcasses for post-mortem examination during 2012, including staff of coastal local government authorities as well as members of the public and our grateful thanks go to them all. A number of non Governmental organisations including British Diver’s Marine Life Rescue, RSPCA, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Sea Watch Foundation, National Trust, WWF-UK, WSPA and Marine Connection are also acknowledged for their continued support of the research conducted by the CSIP.

Sadly, last year marked the point of other changes for strandings research in Cornwall. One of the most longstanding collaborations that the CSIP had came to an end, with the announced closure of the AHVLA lab at Polwhele near Truro. The lab at AHVLA began examining Cornish stranded cetaceans in 1988, predating the inception of the CSIP in 1990. Under first Vic Simpson and Nick Davison and then others, the AHVLA lab at Polwhele became one of the main centres for the investigation of strandings in the UK, conducting over 560 post-mortem examinations and contributing immeasurably to the output of the CSIP. Prior to the closure of the lab at Polwhele, the CSIP developed a collaboration with Exeter University in early 2013, so that necropsies on suitable strandings in Cornwall are now being carried out at the Tremough campus near Falmouth, by CSIP pathologist James Barnett and volunteers from the CWTMSN. We would like to thank all those who have worked at AHVLA Polwhele over the years and who have helped and supported the work of the CSIP in many ways. We wish them all the best for the future.

Plate 16 Staff of the AHVLA lab at Polwhele near Truro (image c. 1980’s) Image credit Nick Davison

Finally, Robin Pratt, one of the great supporters of the UK strandings programme, sadly passed away last year. Robin was a tireless advocate for nature conservation and the natural environment holding positions in both the Pembrokeshire National 59

www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Park Authority and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) (formally NCC). He had a particular passion for marine mammals and was one of the instigators in 1975 of a West Wales Grey Seal Census. Rod Penrose offers this tribute; “I first met Robin in the late 1980s when he freely offered support of boat and equipment storage at his farm in Fishguard when the newly formed CCW let one of its first contracts, the West Wales Grey Seal Census. I can remember many a dark cold late wintry evening returning back to store the boat, only to be met by Robin presenting each of us with a glass of single malt whiskey to try and revive our cold tired bodies. Robin, his daughters and son in law continued their support of the Marine Mammal Strandings Programme in Wales through the 1990s to the present day, without whose help it would probably not be what it is today. The enthusiasm, drive and generosity that Robin had was a rarity”.

Plate 17 Robin Pratt

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Report strandings in the UK on 0800 652 0333

Additional information on the CSIP can be found at www.ukstrandings.org

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cetacean-Strandings-Investigation-Programme-UK-strandings/142706582438320 62

www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 13 Appendix 2

Carcass selection criteria for post-mortem examination of UK stranded cetaceans

This appendix relates to UK stranded cetaceans only and does not analyse UK stranded marine turtles or basking sharks, of which a relatively small number of annual examinations take place. The figures presented here are intended to act as guidelines only and should in no way be viewed as exact requirements.

Introduction Following external review of the CSIP in 2005 by Crane and Shepherd3, a number of recommendations were made, including that the number of cetacean post-mortem examinations (PME’s) conducted in any one year should be capped at 100 per year and that a limit should be set on the annual number of PME’s that might be carried out on any one species (see below). Because of this cap, a means of selecting carcasses for PME needed to be implemented, that would take into account both spatial and temporal variation in annual strandings. Following discussion within the CSIP steering group, the following additional recommendations were also made;

Post-mortems should be undertaken annually on 55-65 harbour porpoise, 15-20 common dolphins and 10-25 other species, with a maximum of 100 post-mortems in any one year

Annual post-mortem examination limits should be set to 55 in England, 25 in Scotland and 20 in Wales

Indeterminate strandings should not be counted when any allocation of regional post-mortem examinations is made

Any carcass sampling rationale should be subject to review annually including an analysis by species, area and month using a rolling 5 year mean and included as an appendix in the annual report

To that end, this appendix analyses aggregated cetacean stranding data for the UK (England, Scotland and Wales) for the calendar years 2009-2013 inclusively. The five regions corresponding with previous Defra reports (e.g. Deaville and Jepson 20114 and Figure 5 of this report) were used to calculate the range of regional PME’s that should be undertaken on harbour porpoises, common dolphins and other species. These ranges were then related to aggregated monthly stranding data over the last five year period to arrive at a range of recommended PME’s of each group that could be carried out in each area in each month of 2014.

3 www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/resprog/findings/cetaceanstrand-review/index.htm 4 http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=FinalCSIPReport2005- 2010_finalversion061211released[1].pdf

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www.ukstrandings.org DRAFT CSIP Annual Report 2013 Strandings data analysis 2009-2013

During the five year period between 2009 and 2013, the CSIP received reports of 2686 cetaceans. Of these, 66 were excluded from this analysis as they had either stranded in Northern Ireland (n=36), the Isle of Man (n=24) or the Channel Islands (n=6). In addition reports were also excluded of cetaceans that had been found floating at sea (n=83) or that had live stranded and subsequently refloated (n=67) or had been retrieved directly from fishing gear (n=10).

Of the remaining 2460 stranding reports, 1198 were found in England, 780 in Scotland and 482 in Wales. Table 9 shows the number of reported strandings in each country together with the number of strandings where the species was identified and the number of strandings where the species could not be determined.

Table 9 Reported strandings in England, Scotland and Wales 2009-2013 (aggregated data)

Country Total strandings Strandings of Strandings of Proportion of indeterminate known species known species species stranding England 1198 86 1112 0.49 Scotland 780 54 726 0.32 Wales 482 50 432 0.19 Total 2460 190 2270

Consequently, the current broad allocation of PME’s of 55 to England, 25 to Scotland and 20 to Wales are not supported by the aggregated data over the last five year period and may need to be revised during any future period of funding.

Regional distribution of post-mortem examinations

The following three sections describe how the spatial/temporal allocation of post- mortem examinations of UK stranded harbour porpoises, common dolphins and other cetacean species for 2014 have been arrived at and may aid more effective decision making on where and when to retrieve a stranding for post-mortem examination.

It should be stressed again that the data presented in Tables 10-15 are intended to act as guidelines only and should in no way be viewed as exact requirements.

NB As in the above section, data presented in the following sections exclude reports of animals floating at sea, those retrieved directly from fishing vessels, live stranded animals that were subsequently refloated and strandings from Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

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Table 10 Regional harbour porpoise stranding data (2009-2013) in relation to the current limits of 55-65 annual PME’s

West Southwest Channel East Scotland TOTAL coast coast 2009 81 41 10 46 56 234 2010 80 34 5 62 60 241 2011 107 53 23 76 52 311 2012 84 75 15 75 68 317 2013 103 56 21 97 128 405 Total 455 259 74 356 364 1508 Annual mean 91 52 15 71 73 302 (+/-1SD) (12.9) (15.7) (7.5) (18.9) (31.4) (69.4) Lower limit (55) 17 9 2 13 13 55 Upper limit (65) 20 11 3 15 16 65

i.e. the following range of PME’s may be carried out on harbour porpoises that strand in each region of the UK during 2014

Wales and English west coast: 17-20; Southwest England: 9-11; English Channel: 2-3; English east coast: 13-15; and Scotland: 13-16.

Table 11 Recommended 2014 allocation of harbour porpoise PME’s by area and month, based on 2009-2013 reported stranding data

Month West Coast, Southwest English East coast, Scotland Wales and England Channel England England January 0-1 2-3 0-1 0-1 0-1 February 0-1 1-2 0-1 0-1 0-1 March 0-1 0-1 0-1 2-3 2-3 April 0-1 0-1 0-1 2-3 2-3 May 2-3 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-2 June 3-4 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 July 2-3 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 August 2-3 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 September 1-2 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 October 1-2 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 November 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 December 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 Area 17-20 9-11 2-3 13-15 13-16 allocation

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Table 12 Regional common dolphin stranding data (2009-2013) in relation to the current limits of 15-20 annual PME’s

West Southwest Channel East Scotland TOTAL coast coast 2009 9 37 1 0 3 50 2010 7 24 0 0 4 35 2011 11 56 4 0 13 84 2012 7 64 3 0 7 81 2013 7 50 1 0 9 67 Total 41 231 9 0 36 317 Annual mean 8 46 2 0 7 63 (+/- 1SD) (1.8) (15.8) (1.6) (0.0) (4.0) (20.8) Lower limit (15) 2 11 0 0 1 15 Upper limit (20) 3 15 1 1 2 20

i.e. the following range of PME’s may be carried out on common dolphins that strand in each region of the UK during 2014

Wales and English west coast: 2-3; Southwest England: 11-15; English Channel: 0-1; English east coast: 0-1; and Scotland: 1-2.

Table 13 Recommended 2014 allocation of common dolphin PME’s by area and month, based on 2009-2013 reported stranding data

Month West Coast, Southwest English East coast, Scotland Wales and England Channel England England January 0-1 3-4 0-1 0-1 0-1 February 0-1 1-2 0-1 0-1 0-1 March 0-1 3-4 0-1 0-1 0-1 April 0-1 1-2 0-1 0-1 0-1 May 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 June 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 July 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 August 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 September 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 October 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 November 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 December 0-1 1-2 0-1 0-1 0-1 Area 2-3 11-15 0-1 0-1 1-2 allocation

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Table 14 Regional stranding data for other cetacean species, excluding harbour porpoises, common dolphins and strandings of indeterminate identity (2009-2013) in relation to the current limits of 10-25 annual PME’s

West Southwest Channel East Scotland TOTAL coast coast 2009 13 6 2 7 56 84 2010 3 2 1 7 43 56 2011 7 10 1 13 87 118 2012 8 13 3 15 103 142 2013 10 10 0 15 64 99 Total 41 41 7 57 353 499 Annual mean 8 8 1 11 71 100 (+/- 1SD) (3.7) 4.3) (1.1) (4.1) (24.2) (32.7) Lower limit (10) 1 1 0 1 7 10 Upper limit (25) 2 2 1 3 18 25

NB long-finned pilot whales that died during the mass stranding events (MSE’s) in Scotland in 2011 and 2012 have been included in this analysis i.e. the following range of PME’s may be carried out on other cetacean species that strand in each region of the UK during 2014

Wales and English west coast: 1-2; southwest England: 1-2; English Channel: 0-1; English east coast: 1-3; and Scotland: 7-18.

Table 15 Recommended 2013 allocation of other cetacean species PME’s by area and month, based on 2009-2013 reported stranding data

Month West Coast, Southwest English East coast, Scotland Wales and England Channel England England January 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 February 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 March 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 April 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 May 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 June 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 2-3 July 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 2-3 August 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 2-3 September 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 October 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 November 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 December 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-2 Area 1-2 1-2 0-1 1-2 7-18 allocation

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Marine litter ingestion and/or entanglement

Implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in the UK (http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/msfd/) has led to much recent attention on the issue of litter in the marine environment (indicator 10). Consequently, the CSIP project steering group requested that the CSIP summarise findings of marine litter ingestion and/or entanglement in UK stranded animals which were subjected to post- mortem examination, to determine whether this may be an issue of concern. Table 16 summarises evidence of marine litter ingestion or entanglement in 142 cetaceans and two marine turtles which were examined at post-mortem in the UK during 2013.

Table 16 Marine litter ingestion or entanglement in cetacean and marine turtle strandings examined at post-mortem in the UK during 2013

Species PMEs Marine litter Marine litter ingestion entanglement Harbour porpoise 95 2 0 Short-beaked common dolphin 20 1 0 Striped dolphin 6 0 0 Long-finned pilot whale 6 0 0 Minke whale 6 0 1* White beaked dolphin 3 1 0 Sowerby’s beaked whale 3 0 0 Bottlenose dolphin 1 0 0 Fin whale 1 0 0 Humpback whale 1 0 0 Pygmy sperm whale 1 0 0

Loggerhead turtle 1 0 0 Kemp’s ridley turtle 1 0 0

Total 145 4 1*

NB PMEs- post-mortem examinations *- possible litter/debris entanglement (see below)

A single large but thin piece of plastic was found within the cardiac stomach of a harbour porpoise found stranded in Kent (SW2013/110). Two fragments of plastic were found in the cardiac stomach of a white-beaked dolphin found stranded in Kent (SW2012/117). One fragment appeared to be part of the neck of a plastic bottle (Plate 17). Fragments of rubber were found in the cardiac stomach of a harbour porpoise found stranded in Suffolk (SW2013/190). Several small pieces of orange plastic were found in the cardiac stomach of a short-beaked common dolphin which stranded in Cornwall (SW2013/551 and Plate 18). No pathological change was associated with the foreign bodies in any of the above cases and they were considered to be of minor significance. No other evidence of marine litter ingestion was found in any of the other examined individuals.

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Plate 18 Plastic fragments in cardiac stomach Plate 19 Plastic fragments in cardiac stomach of white-beaked dolphin (SW2013/152) of common dolphin (SW2013/551)

A juvenile female minke whale was found floating dead in Tilbury Docks in Essex on 5th July 2013 (SW2013/351). The significant findings on post-mortem examination were extensive and chronic rope entanglement around the head. The rope had penetrated skin/blubber (which had partially healed over the rope) and worn a deep groove in the ventral part of the left mandible (see Plate 19). It was not possible to determine whether this rope was part of set gear that had been torn away or was floating debris or ghost gear that had become entangled around the whale. The issue of minke whale entanglement in the UK has been previously described elsewhere (Northridge et al., 2010).

Plate 20 Chronically entangled minke whale (SW2013/351) found floating in Tilbury Docks (images credit Port of London Authority)

15 APPENDIX 4 Summary of causes of death of UK-stranded cetaceans and marine turtles examined at post-mortem during 2013

National Ref. PM No. Species Sex Length Date Location Local Authority Region Cause of Death SW2013/1 XT015/13 Phocoena phocoena M 98 02/01/13 Blakeney Point Norfolk East coast starvation/hypothermia SW2013/17 M006/13 Delphinus delphis M 152 07/01/13 Ardrosson North Ayrshire Scotland meningoencephalitis (Brucella sp.) SW2013/4 XT012/13 Delphinus delphis M 232 07/01/13 Sedgewell Beach Devon South-west physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/12 2013-000505 Phocoena phocoena F 112 07/01/13 Portrush Antrim Northern Ireland not established SW2013/19 M009/13 Phocoena phocoena M 126 10/01/13 West beach Nairn Highland Scotland physical trauma, bycatch (suspected) SW2013/22 XT052/13 Phocoena phocoena F 115 19/01/13 Viking Bay Kent East coast live stranding, drowning and gastric impaction, fish bones SW2013/26 XT042/13 Phocoena phocoena F 159 22/01/13 Sandwich Bay Kent East coast acute physical trauma (atypical) SW2013/34 M018/13 Phocoena phocoena M 143 22/01/13 Silver sands Beach Fife Scotland pneumonia, parasitic SW2013/35 M019/13 Globicephala melas M 426 22/01/13 Balmedie beach Aberdeenshire Scotland meningoencephalitis (Brucella sp.), poor nutritional status and myoglobinurea SW2013/40 XT062/13 Phocoena phocoena M 124 25/01/13 Sea Palling Norfolk East coast pneumonia, parasitic SW2013/29 EX/C01/02/13 Delphinus delphis F N/A 26/01/13 Charlestown Beach Cornwall South-west physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/31 EX/C02/02/13 Phocoena phocoena F 114 27/01/13 Lamorna Cove Cornwall South-west live stranding SW2013/43 XT076/13 Phocoena phocoena F 176 02/02/13 St Osyth Essex East coast starvation/hypothermia SW2013/45 XT691/13 Phocoena phocoena F 93 04/02/13 Aberffraw Anglesey West coast live stranding SW2013/52 XT075/13 Phocoena phocoena F 180 05/02/13 Holywell East Sussex Channel starvation/hypothermia SW2013/47 XT407/13 Phocoena phocoena F 127 06/02/13 Tanybwlch Ceredigion West coast physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/183 2013-003424 Phocoena phocoena M 147 07/02/13 Lough Foyle Derry Northern Ireland pneumonia, parasitic SW2013/54 EXTERNAL Phocoena phocoena M 138 14/02/13 Seabrook Kent East coast neoplasia (testicular seminoma) and suppurative orchitis (severe/chronic) SW2013/84 M37/13 Balaenoptera physalus M 1755 17/02/13 River Cree Dumfries & Galloway Scotland severe, chronic, systemic granulomatous inflammation in many organs, including brain SW2013/57 XT098/13 Phocoena phocoena M 145 18/02/13 Old Felixstowe Suffolk East coast vegetative endocarditis and renal abscessation (associated Salmonella sp. infection) SW2013/85 M038/13 Phocoena phocoena M 144 19/02/13 Kinlochbervie Highland Scotland meningoencephalitis, pneumonia and poor nutritional status SW2013/58 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 175 20/02/13 Paignton Torbay South-west physical trauma, boat strike SW2013/62 XT181/13 Phocoena phocoena F 148 24/02/13 Sheerness Kent East coast generalised bacterial infection (Streptococcus grp L) SW2013/66 XT1205/13 Phocoena phocoena M 101 01/03/13 Blakeney Point Norfolk East coast starvation/hypothermia SW2013/95 M53/13 Phocoena phocoena F 94 02/03/13 Aberdeen beach City of Aberdeen Scotland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/69.4 XT170/13 Phocoena phocoena F 101 03/03/13 Winterton-on-sea Norfolk East coast acute physical trauma (atypical) SW2013/68 XT473/13 Phocoena phocoena F 151 03/03/13 Felpham Beach West Sussex Channel starvation (sequel to gastric impaction) SW2013/629 XT428/14 Phocoena phocoena F 120 05/03/13 Wells-Next-The-Sea Norfolk East coast physical trauma, possible grey seal attack SW2013/105 XT182/13 Phocoena phocoena F 104 05/03/13 London Gateway Greater London East coast generalised bacterial infection (Streptococcus phocae) and pneumonia, fungal (Aspergillus fumigatus) SW2013/628 XT327/14 Phocoena phocoena M 123 05/03/13 Druridge Bay Northumberland East coast physical trauma, acute SW2013/96 M054/13 Lagenorhynchus albirostris M 212 06/03/13 Lossiemouth harbour Moray Scotland physical trauma (possible)

National Ref. PM No. Species Sex Length Date Location Local Authority Region Cause of Death SW2013/73 XT200/13 Phocoena phocoena F 142 06/03/13 Torbay Harbour Devon South-west physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack/harassment SW2013/72 EX/C01/03/13 Delphinus delphis F 193 08/03/13 Feock Cornwall South-west physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/77 EX/C02/03/13 Phocoena phocoena F 119 10/03/13 Maenporth Cornwall South-west physical trauma, acute SW2013/98 M56/13 Phocoena phocoena M 138 11/03/13 Tain Highland Scotland physical trauma, bycatch (suspected) SW2013/97 M055/13 Phocoena phocoena F 105 12/03/13 St Andrews Fife Scotland starvation SW2013/106 XT183/13 Phocoena phocoena M N/A 12/03/13 Sandwich Bay Kent East coast starvation/hypothermia SW2013/107 M60/13 Phocoena phocoena M 132 14/03/13 Findhorn Moray Scotland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/145 XT256/14 Phocoena phocoena F 126 14/03/13 Amble Northumberland East coast haemorrhage, pulmonary (parasitic and acute) and pneumonia, parasitic SW2013/110 XT202/13 Phocoena phocoena M 143 17/03/13 Joss Bay Kent East coast pneumonia, mycotic (Aspergillus fumigatus) SW2013/119 XT233/13 Phocoena phocoena M 104 18/03/13 Peacehaven East Sussex Channel starvation/hypothermia SW2013/153 M63/13 Phocoena phocoena F 113 19/03/13 Thornton Loch East Lothian Scotland live stranding SW2013/108 XT209/13 Phocoena phocoena M 143 20/03/13 Nayland Rock Kent East coast oesophageal and gastric impaction SW2013/114 EXTERNAL Megaptera novaeangliae F 970 24/03/13 off Sheerness Kent East coast not established SW2013/165 M72/13 Phocoena phocoena M 121 25/03/13 Invergordon Highland Scotland live stranding SW2013/123 EX/C05/13 Delphinus delphis M 190 25/03/13 Porthoustock Cornwall South-west physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/167 M74/13 Phocoena phocoena F 94 27/03/13 St. Andrews Fife Scotland starvation/hypothermia SW2013/170 M80/13 Phocoena phocoena F 102 27/03/13 St. Andrews Fife Scotland physical trauma, bycatch (suspected) SW2013/171 M86/13 Phocoena phocoena F 111 28/03/13 Barnes ness East Lothian Scotland starvation SW2013/172 M81/13 Phocoena phocoena M 106 28/03/13 Dornoch. Highland Scotland live stranding, underlying debilitation SW2013/182 2013-007857 Delphinus delphis F 142 30/03/13 Whitehead Antrim Northern Ireland starvation/hypothermia SW2013/117 XT712/14 Phocoena phocoena M 125 30/03/13 Sheerness Kent East coast gastric parasitism (pyloric stomach wall), heavy SW2013/174 M92/13 Phocoena phocoena M 107 03/04/13 Alloa Falkirk Scotland starvation and physical trauma (possible) SW2013/137 XT331/13 Phocoena phocoena F 147 08/04/13 Seaburn Beach Sunderland East coast live stranding SW2013/138 XT899/13 Phocoena phocoena F 107 08/04/13 Botany Bay Kent East coast physical trauma SW2013/176 M97/13 Phocoena phocoena F 118 10/04/13 Cromarty beach Highland Scotland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/211 M112/13 Phocoena phocoena M 106 14/04/13 Aberdeen beach City of Aberdeen Scotland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/146 XT308/13 Phocoena phocoena F 106 14/04/13 Dymchurch Kent East coast physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/151 XT309/13 Phocoena phocoena M 119 14/04/13 Saltdean East Sussex Channel physical trauma, bycatch SW2013/152 XT318/13 Lagenorhynchus albirostris M 260 14/04/13 Spurn E. Riding Yorkshire East coast live stranding SW2013/161 EX/C06/13 Globicephala melas F 410 15/04/13 Castle Beach Cornwall South-west meningoencephalitis SW2013/215 M119/13 Stenella coeruleoalba M 161 17/04/13 Breiwick Shetland Scotland pneumonia, parasitic SW2013/179 EX/C07/13 Phocoena phocoena M 147 18/04/13 Holywell Bay Cornwall South-west pneumonia, mycotic (Aspergillus fumigatus) and generalised bacterial infection (Salmonella Grp B) SW2013/216 M120/13 Phocoena phocoena M 104 18/04/13 Jemimaville Highland Scotland live stranding and silt/mud aspiration SW2013/217 M121/13 Phocoena phocoena F 112 19/04/13 Nairn Highland Scotland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/218 M122/13 Lagenorhynchus albirostris F 211 20/04/13 Loch Caroy Highland Scotland live stranding SW2013/219 M123/13 Phocoena phocoena F 113 21/04/13 Avoch Highland Scotland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/232 M133/13 Tursiops truncatus M 267 23/04/13 Achnamara Argyll and Bute Scotland live stranding

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National Ref. PM No. Species Sex Length Date Location Local Authority Region Cause of Death SW2013/231.1 M132.1/13 Globicephala melas M 453 24/04/13 Portmahomack Highland Scotland live stranding SW2013/241 M144/13 Phocoena phocoena U 103 24/04/13 East sands Fife Scotland starvation SW2013/231.3 M138/13 Globicephala melas M 400 27/04/13 Inver near Tain Highland Scotland live stranding SW2013/188 XT334/13 Phocoena phocoena M 107 27/04/13 Amroth Pembrokeshire West coast physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/190 XT401/13 Phocoena phocoena F 159 29/04/13 Wolverstone Suffolk East coast starvation/hypothermia, multiple skin lacerations SW2013/199 XT1072/13 Phocoena phocoena M 111 30/04/13 Caernarfon Airport Gwynedd West coast parasitism, pulmonary (heavy) SW2013/200 EX/C08/13 Delphinus delphis M 181 30/04/13 Porthminster Beach Cornwall South-west physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/222 EXTERNAL Phocoena phocoena M 100 04/05/13 off New Quay Ceredigion West coast physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/245 EX/C09/13 Delphinus delphis F 175 07/05/13 Newlyn Cornwall South-west physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/261 EXTERNAL Mesoplodon bidens M 462 09/05/13 Clarach Ceredigion West coast live stranding (suspected) SW2013/267 XT568/13 Delphinus delphis F 137 10/05/13 Newgale Pembrokeshire West coast gastric impaction SW2013/273 XT786/13 Phocoena phocoena M 106.5 13/05/13 Porth Dafarch Anglesey West coast starvation/hypothermia SW2013/274 XT278/13 Delphinus delphis M 155 15/05/13 Cwmtydu Ceredigion West coast not established SW2013/277 XT673/13 Phocoena phocoena M 119 19/05/13 off New Quay Ceredigion West coast physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/283 XT764/13 Phocoena phocoena M 112 23/05/13 Aberystwyth Ceredigion West coast physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/295 XT515/13 Phocoena phocoena M 119 24/05/13 Battersea Greater London East coast physical trauma, acute (possible boat strike) SW2013/633 2013-012622 Phocoena phocoena M 152 28/05/13 Rough Island Down Northern Ireland parasitism, gastric (heavy) SW2013/309 567/13 Phocoena phocoena M 102 02/06/13 Leysdown Beach Kent East coast generalised bacterial infection (Streptococcus canis), possible bitemarks caudal peduncle SW2013/319 M192/13 Phocoena phocoena F 110 07/06/13 Moray Firth Highland Scotland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/321 XT558/13 Phocoena phocoena M 148 07/06/13 Whitstable Kent East coast infection, multiple sites (Candida albicans) SW2013/322 XT569/13 Phocoena phocoena F 130 09/06/13 Pevensey East Sussex Channel generalised bacterial infection (Vibrio parahaemolyticus) and pneumonia, parasitic SW2013/336 M199/13 Mesoplodon bidens M 372 13/06/13 Droman harbour Highland Scotland physical trauma, boat strike SW2013/327 XT008/14 Phocoena phocoena M 75 13/06/13 Porth Dafarch Anglesey West coast starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2013/335 EX/C10/13 Phocoena phocoena M 128 13/06/13 Brean Somerset South-west starvation/hypothermia and balanitis/dermatitis, bacterial SW2013/329 XT1036/13 Phocoena phocoena F 74 14/06/13 Tywyn Gwynedd West coast starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2013/330 XT320/14 Phocoena phocoena F 70 14/06/13 Monk Haven Pembrokeshire West coast starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2013/331 XT574/13 Balaenoptera acutorostrata F 313 15/06/13 Hunstanton beach Norfolk East coast possible generalised bacterial infection SW2013/356 XT1160/13 Phocoena phocoena M 81 22/06/13 Dyffryn Gwynedd West coast starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2013/357 XT047/14 Phocoena phocoena F 72 24/06/13 Borth Ceredigion West coast starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2013/348 XT640/13 Phocoena phocoena M 112 02/07/13 Goring beach West Sussex Channel physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/351 EXTERNAL Balaenoptera acutorostrata F 410 04/07/13 Tilbury Docks Essex East coast physical trauma, chronic (rope entanglement around head) SW2013/373 XT028/14 Phocoena phocoena M 76 05/07/13 Dunraven Bay Vale of Glamorgan West coast starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2013/376 M224/13 Phocoena phocoena F 159 07/07/13 Balmedie beach Aberdeenshire Scotland generalised bacterial infection (Edwardsiella sp.) SW2013/377 M226/13 Balaenoptera acutorostrata F 655 09/07/13 Thurso Beach Highland Scotland suspected entanglement and anoxic drowning

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National Ref. PM No. Species Sex Length Date Location Local Authority Region Cause of Death SW2013/375 EXTERNAL Balaenoptera acutorostrata F 835 10/07/13 off Scarborough North Yorkshire East coast physical trauma, entanglement SW2013/380 XT1037/13 Phocoena phocoena M 85 15/07/13 Penbryn Ceredigion West coast starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2013/381 XT1048/13 Phocoena phocoena F 87 17/07/13 Prestatyn Denbighshire West coast not established SW2013/396 EX/C11/13 Phocoena phocoena F 153 21/07/13 Trevose Head Cornwall South-west physical trauma, acute (suspected boat impact) SW2013/398 EX/C12/13 Delphinus delphis F 73 22/07/13 Charlestown harbour Cornwall South-west neonatal death SW2013/407 EX/C13/13 Stenella coeruleoalba F 187 27/07/13 King's Cove Cornwall South-west starvation/hypothermia SW2013/413 M253/13 Delphinus delphis F 200 29/07/13 Cromarty Firth Highland Scotland not established SW2013/411 XT1097/13 Phocoena phocoena F 78 03/08/13 Tenby Pembrokeshire West coast starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2013/425 XT852/13 Phocoena phocoena M 134 08/08/13 Herne bay Kent East coast physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/432 M265/13 Phocoena phocoena F 154 10/08/13 Prestwick Beach South Ayreshire Scotland pneumonia (suspected bacterial) SW2013/434 M269/13 Stenella coeruleoalba M 193 14/08/13 Loch Caroy Highland Scotland meningoencephalitis (Brucella sp.) SW2013/441 M270/13 Phocoena phocoena F 111 16/08/13 Buddon Ness Tayside Scotland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack and subsequent post mortem propeller strike SW2013/447 XT907/13 Phocoena phocoena F 148 27/08/13 River Thames Greater London East coast physical trauma, acute (boat propeller) SW2013/449 XT974/13 Delphinus delphis M 181 30/08/13 Tanybwlch Ceredigion West coast live stranding SW2013/470 M288/13 Globicephala melas M 451 03/09/13 Crammond City of Edinburgh Scotland live stranding SW2013/473 M291/13 Kogia breviceps F 207 06/09/13 Banff Aberdeenshire Scotland live stranding SW2013/474 M292/13 Balaenoptera acutorostrata F 487 06/09/13 Crombie Fife Scotland live stranding (euthanased, shot) SW2013/475 XT941/13 Stenella coeruleoalba M 186 08/09/13 Westward Ho Devon South-west starvation/hypothermia and physical trauma (mandible and maxilla) SW2013/478.1 M299.1/13 Mesoplodon bidens F 490 12/09/13 Village bay St.Kilda. Western Isles Scotland live stranding SW2013/477 XT927/13 Delphinus delphis M 208 14/09/13 Poole harbour Poole Channel generalised bacterial infection and heavy gastric parasitism SW2013/502 2013-019556 Globicephala melas F 201 16/09/13 Portballintrae Antrim Northern Ireland starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2013/485 M313/13 Phocoena phocoena F 108 24/09/13 Fort George Highland Scotland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack and emaciation SW2013/490 XT990/13 Stenella coeruleoalba M 233 26/09/13 Tywyn Gwynedd West coast starvation/hypothermia SW2013/491 M315/13 Phocoena phocoena F 154 29/09/13 Dornoch Highland Scotland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/492 EX/C14/13 Phocoena phocoena M 153 02/10/13 Sandy Cove Cornwall South-west physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/493 EX/C15/13 Delphinus delphis M 214 04/10/13 Constantine Bay Cornwall South-west spinal deformity (scoliosis) and poor nutritional status SW2013/614 2013-021396 Phocoena phocoena M 114 10/10/13 Portballintrae Antrim Northern Ireland physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/507 EX/C16/13 Delphinus delphis M 157 16/10/13 Tolcarne beach Cornwall South-west physical trauma, by-catch SW2013/538 XT303/14 Phocoena phocoena M 77 27/10/13 Aberavon Neath Port Talbot West coast starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2013/540 XT1096/13 Phocoena phocoena F 105 05/11/13 Shoreham West Sussex Channel physical trauma, bycatch SW2013/551 EX/C17/13 Delphinus delphis F 125 09/11/13 Porthcothan Cornwall South-west starvation/hypothermia SW2013/555 M343/13 Phocoena phocoena F 119 14/11/13 Seil Sound Argyll and Bute Scotland physical trauma, bycatch SW2013/565 XT326/14 Stenella coeruleoalba F 183 15/11/13 Manorbier Pembrokeshire West coast physical trauma, acute SW2013/562 EXTERNAL Balaenoptera acutorostrata F 540 23/11/13 Sea Palling Norfolk East coast physical trauma, boat strike (possible) SW2013/577 M373/13 Phocoena phocoena F 119 07/12/13 Near Lendalfoot South Ayreshire Scotland physical trauma, bycatch SW2013/580 M377/13 Phocoena phocoena M 152 10/12/13 Gairloch Highland Scotland generalised bacterial infection, possible

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National Ref. PM No. Species Sex Length Date Location Local Authority Region Cause of Death SW2013/590 EXTERNAL Phocoena phocoena F 166 16/12/13 Black Rock Sands Gwynedd West coast physical trauma, by-catch (possible) SW2013/594 EX/C18/13 Delphinus delphis F 143 19/12/13 Newquay Cornwall South-west spinal deformity (kyphosis), possibly consequential to historical trauma SW2013/595 EX/C19/13 Delphinus delphis M 224 20/12/13 Watergate Bay Cornwall South-west live stranding (possibly aged) SW2013/607 EX/C04/14 Phocoena phocoena F 167 26/12/13 Perranporth Cornwall South-west physical trauma, bottlenose dolphin attack SW2013/604 M396/13 Phocoena phocoena F 143 30/12/13 Fairlie Bay North Ayrshire Scotland physical trauma, bycatch (possible)

T2012/26 XT302/14 Lepidochelys kempii F 31 07/12/13 Treaith Ceredigion West coast cold stunned T2012/28 XT1242/13 Caretta caretta F 114 18/12/13 Worthing West Sussex Channel cold stunned and physical trauma (consequential to stranding during period of heavy storm activity)

NB Data in this appendix is subject to revision and possible change, pending the results of follow up investigations. Regions used in the production of this appendix are shown in Figure 5 of the main report.

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