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Marine Mammal & Marine Turtle Strandings (Welsh Coast)

Annual Report 2007

R.S.Penrose. February 2008

Marine Environmental Monitoring Penwalk Llechryd Cardigan Ceredigion West Wales SA43 2PS e-mail: rodpenrose@strandings.demon.co.uk

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REPORT DISTRIBUTION.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue. J. Barnett P. Lewis Carmarthen Bay & Estuaries European Marine Site. B. Bullimore Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science. R. J. Law Countryside Council for Wales. Dr A. McMath T. Stringell R. Pratt Dyfed Powys Police (Wildlife Unit) A. Mason Environment Agency. K. Cameron Local Authorities. Anglesey G. Loe

Bridgend S. Moon Cardiff P. Gillard Carmarthenshire E. Waters Ceredigion B. Jones Conwy T. Mead Denbighshire M. Bud Flintshire R. Hebdon Gwynedd B. Davies Neath Port Talbot A. Lewis Pembrokeshire A. Woods Swansea C. Morgan Vale of Glamorgan K. Pryor

Marine Aware North Wales. Nia Jones Maritime & Coastguard Agency. Swansea E. Birkett

Milford Haven A. Turnbull Holyhead J. Paton

Natural History Museum. Dr R. Bamber

R. Sabin E. Evans

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. J. Hodges RSPCA R. de Kerckhove Snowdonia National Park Authority. R. Gritten SAC Officers. Ceredigion

Pembrokeshire S. Burton Pen Llyn A. Hargrave

The Wildlife Trusts. F. Catternach

Dr M. Havard

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University College Cork. Dr E. Rogan University of Liverpool. Dr J.R. Baker Dr J. Chantry WDCS M. Simmonds Welsh Assembly Government. Dr H. Prosser V. Paris J. Thomas Welsh Marine Life Rescue. T. Leadbetter Zoological Society of London. Dr P. Jepson

R. Deaville

Others : Jemma & Ray Lerwill Sal Shipley Jan Loveridge CWT Lindy Hingley

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CONTENTS

Page 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 2 INTRODUCTION 8 2.1 Changes to Project 2006 8 2.2 Further changes to the Project 2007 9 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS 9 3.1 Live Animals. 10 3.2 Dead Animals. 10 4 RESULTS 11 4.1 Marine Mammals. 11 4.2 Bottlenose Dolphin Attacks. 15 4.3 Unusual Occurrences. 16 4.4 Live Strandings. 21 4.5 Tagging. 23 5 OTHER MARINE ANIMALS REPORTED TO THE NETWORK 24 5.1 Marine Turtles. 24 5.2 Sharks. 25 6 SAMPLES 26 7 FUNDING 26 8 PUBLICITY 26 9 LEGISLATION 27 10 EQUIPMENT 27 11 TRAVEL 27 12 ADMINISTRATION 27 13 CAUSE OF DEATH 28 14 LIST OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES USED IN THIS REPORT 29 15 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 29 16 APPENDICES 29

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List of Figures. page

Figure 1. Current Technical Co-ordination of the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP). 8

Figure 2. Coastline designations currently used on the project. 9Figure 3. Reported harbour porpoise strandings on the Welsh coast. 13Figure 4. Harbour porpoise strandings by month. 13Figure 5. Reported grey seal mortality on the Welsh coast. 14Figure 6. Grey seal mortality by month. 14Figure 7. Stranding locations of the 14 porpoises killed by bottlenose dolphins in

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List of Plates.

Plate 1. Minke whale calf SW2007/067 the following day. 16Plate 2. Dr John Baker examining the carcass at the stranding location 16Plate 3. SW2007/109 showing boat propeller cuts? in blubber. 17Plate 4. Bottlenose dolphin SW2007/169 being winched up the beach to the

awaiting trailer. 17Plate 5. Unidentified beaked whale SW2007/188b at Aberporth. 18Plate 6. The remains of SW2007/188b being removed from the public beach at

Aberporth. 18Plate 7. Striped dolphin SW2007/192 showing rope marks. 19Plate 8. Bottlenose dolphin SW2007/215 showing worn teeth. 19Plate 9. Humpback whale SW2007/239 at Aberavon, Port Talbot. 20Plate 10. The start of the examination process of the humpback. 21Plate 11. White-sided dolphin SW2007/227. 22Plate 12. Current tags supplied to groups on the Welsh coast. 23Plate 13. Remains of the tiny loggerhead turtle T2007/004. 24Plate 14. Loggerhead turtle T2007/006 at ZSL. 24Plate 15. The remains of T2007/020 at Newgale beach. 25Plate 16. BBCTV 'Saving Planet Earth' at Kew Gardens. 26

List of Tables.

Table 1. Wales and west coast of England. 9Table 2. 2007 Total number of reported marine mammal strandings (Welsh

Coast). 11Table 3. 2007 Number of live cetacean strandings (Welsh Coast). 11Table 4. 2007 Number of animals suitable for post-mortem examination. 12Table 5. 2007 Number of animals decomposed/disposed of. (Welsh Coast). 12Table 6. Cause of death. 28Table 7. List of scientific names used in this report. 29

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1. CRYNODEB GWEITHREDOL Mae'r cynllun wedi'i ail-enwi'n UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP - rhaglen y DU ar gyfer ymchwilio tiriadau anifeiliaid o deulu'r morfil) a bellach Cymdeithas Sŵolegol Llundain (ZSL) sy'n ei gydlynu'n dechnegol. Yn dilyn gostyngiad yn yr arian ar gyfer y cynllun yn 2006, daeth newidiadau pellach sy'n gwahardd casglu rhagor na chyfanswm o 100 carcas y flwyddyn ar gyfer archwiliad post-mortem. Dyma ddyraniad o ryw 20 carcas o Gymru. Pryder yr awdur yw yr arweinia'r newidiadau hyn yn y fethodoleg at ddryswch a digalondid ymhlith y rhwydwaith o wirfoddolwyr sy'n hysbysu'r tiriadau. Ar ben hynny, gofynnwyd i'r CSIP ymchwilio tiriadau heulforgwn yn y DU. Teulu'r Morfil Derbyniodd MEM adroddiadau am 135 o anifeiliaid o deulu'r morfil. Llamhidyddion oedd y rhai y cafwyd y nifer uchaf o adroddiadau amdanynt, yn ogystal â nifer sylweddol o rywogaethau nas adnabuwyd oherwydd y newidiadau ym methodoleg y casglu a orfodwyd ar y cynllun. Unwaith eto, trwy gydol 2007, yr oedd modd cadarnhau bod rhai llamhidyddion wedi'u lladd gan ddolffiniaid trwyn potel. Bydd y ffaith na chafodd y cynllun wneud cymaint o gofnodi ers 2006 yn golygu anhawster wrth gymharu tueddiadau yn y gweithgaredd hwn â'r blynyddoedd cynt. Cafwyd adroddiadau ynghylch anifeiliaid eraill o deulu'r morfil wedi tirio ar lannau Cymru yn 2007, gan gynnwys dau ddolffin trwyn potel, un morfil pigfain banw, un dolffin rhesog, un morfil gylfinog (rhywogaeth anhysbys) a morfil cefngrwm gwryw ifanc. Daeth saith i'r lan yn fyw, sef: 5 llamhidydd, 1 morfil pigfain ac 1 dolffin ystlyswyn. Cafwyd bod trigain mewn cyflwr o bydredd ‘newydd gychwyn i gymedrol’ ac fe'u hystyriwyd felly'n addas i'w harchwilio post-mortem. Dewiswyd 28 o'r 60 i'w harchwilio. Yr oedd 71 o'r 135 anifail a diriodd wedi pydru, neu fe benderfynwyd peidio â'u harchwilio post-mortem; cysylltwyd â'r cyngor lleol perthnasol er mwyn cael gwared â'r gweddillion yn ddiogel. Yn achosion y gweddill, fe'u hadnabuwyd, ond am wahanol resymau nid oedd modd eu casglu na chael gwared ar eu cyrff. Morloi Derbyniodd MEM adroddiadau am 69 morlo llwyd. Bu'r nifer o adroddiadau ynghylch morloi yn debyg i'r disgwyl. Ni chasglwyd unrhyw garcasau i'w harchwilio post mortem. Crwbanod Cafwyd adroddiadau, o lannau Cymru, y gwelwyd 5 crwban byw a bod dau grwban môr cefn lledr marw wedi tirio. Cafwyd dau grwban môr pendew bach marw wedi tirio. Samplau Yn ogystal â'r samplau arferol a gymerwyd o anifeiliaid a gasglwyd ar gyfer archwiliad post-mortem, cymerwyd samplau hefyd o 28 o anifeiliaid eraill cyn cael gwared arnynt. Ariannu Dyrannodd Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru/Defra gytundeb tair blynedd a ddechreuodd ym mis Mawrth 2007.

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The project has been renamed as the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) and is now under the technical co-ordintation of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Reduced project funding in 2006 has been followed by further changes permitting only 100 carcasses per year overall to be retrieved for post-mortem examination. This relates to approximatley 20 carcasses from Wales. The author is concerned that these changes in methodology may result in confusion and dispondency within the voluntary reporting network. Additionally the CSIP has been requested to investigate UK strandings of basking sharks. Cetaceans 135 cetaceans were reported to MEM in 2007. Harbour porpoises were the most frequently reported and a significant number of undetermined species owing to the changes in retrieval methodology imposed on the project. Harbour porpoise ‘killed by bottlenose dolphin’ were continued to be identified through 2007. Imposed reduced effort in recording from 2006 will make trends in this activity difficult to compare with previous years. Other cetaceans reported stranded on the Welsh coast in 2007 included two bottlenose dolphins, one female minke whale, one striped dolphin, one unidentified beaked whale and a juvenile male humpback whale. Seven cetaceans live-stranded being; 5 harbour porpoises, 1 minke whale and 1 white-sided dolphin. Sixty cetaceans were found to be in a state of ‘fresh to moderate’ decomposition and therefore considered to be suitable for post-mortem examination. Twenty-eight of the 60 were selected for examination. Seventy-one of the 135 cetacean strandings were decomposed or discarded for post-mortem examination and the relevant local council contacted for safe disposal of remains. The remaining cetaceans were confirmed but retrieval or disposal was not possible due to various reasons. Seals 69 grey seals were reported to MEM. Numbers of reported seals was as expected. No carcasses were retrieved for post-mortem examination. Turtles Five live sightings and two strandings of dead leatherback turtles were reported from around the Welsh coast. Two small loggerhead turtles were found stranded dead. Samples In addition to routine samples taken from animals recovered for post-mortem examination, samples have also been taken from 28 further animals before disposal. Funding A three year contract commencing March 2007 has been issued by WAG/Defra.

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Figure 1. Current Technical Co-ordination of the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP).

2. INTRODUCTION In 1990, the ‘Collaborative UK Marine Mammal Strandings Project’ was initiated and part-funded by the UK Department of the Environment (now Defra). The project involves detailed pathological and other investigations of stranded marine mammal carcasses (mostly cetacean) from UK waters. It forms part of the Department's international obligations towards conservation agreements, including the ‘Agreement on the conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas’ (ASCOBANS). Detailed pathological investigations of stranded marine turtles were included in 2001. 2.1 Changes to Project 2006

Due to the end of the previous three year contract in 2005 coupled with departmental changes within Defra the ‘Collaborative UK Marine Mammal Strandings Project’ underwent a review by Watson & Crane Associates (full report can be viewed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/resprog/findings/cetaceanstrand-review/cetaceanstrand-review.pdf ). During this review process in 2006 a short twelve month contract was let by Defra until a decision could be taken on the future arrangements and funding of the ‘Collaborative UK Marine Mammal Strandings Project’. This short term contract was issued to the Zoological Society of London/Institute of Zoology (ZSL/IoZ) as the lead agency together with the Natural History Museum (NHM) the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) in Scotland and Marine Environmental Monitoring (MEM) in Wales. The project is now named the ‘Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme’ (CSIP) (see Figure 1.).

Funding to ZSL/IoZ, NHM and SAC was significantly reduced during this period. Funding to MEM by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Countryside Council for Wales fortunately remained at previous levels, however reduced travelling expenses supported by Defra via ZSL/IoZ has had a knock-on effect in Wales resulting in only known ‘fresh to moderate’ carcasses that can be successfully recovered for post-mortem examination being attended. Confirmation of species of other cetacean strandings has relied on digital photographs and known reliable sources. Where animals cannot be identified 100 per cent, the Strandings Co-ordinator has attended at his own expense if within a reasonable distance. Carcasses with unconfirmed species identification generally outside this area have been entered into the database as ‘cetacean species indeterminate’. In an attempt to operate within the reduced travelling budget two chest freezers have been purchased and procedures have now been changed to freeze carcasses. Although this practice results in loss of some information during the post-mortem examination process, carcasses can now be ‘stock-piled’ and transported to London or Liverpool in larger numbers thus reducing the number of journeys per year. Post-mortem examinations of Welsh strandings continued to be carried out over this period by the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool and the Zoological Society of London. In addition to pathological and related investigations, a range of frozen and fixed material collected post-mortem continued to be archived. Marine turtles were maintained within the project and dead carcasses were routinely collected

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Figure 2. Coastline designations currently used on the project.

wherever possible for post-mortem examination. Records of live and dead marine mammal strandings together with sightings and strandings of live and dead marine turtles continued to be kept by the Welsh Strandings Co-ordinator. Cetacean records are passed to the Natural History Museum in London for correlation. Since 1913, cetacean records have been, and continue to be kept, by the NHM, in co-operation with the Receiver of Wreck and HM Coastguard. As stated above, funding towards this project in Wales has been maintained by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and Defra through the Zoological Society of London. Support of certain items of equipment has been provided by the Environment Agency. 2.2 Further Changes to the Project 2007.

Numbers of cetaceans recovered for post-mortem examination for the whole of the UK have been limited to 100 carcasses per year. Further details of how these figures will break down around the UK will be produced as an annex to the 2007 CSIP report to Defra due in April 2008. A provisional allocation of numbers from Wales and the west coast of England1 can be seen in Table 1. Table 1.

Wales and west coast of England.

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Area allocation

Harbour porpoise 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-2 2-3 3-5 2-4 2-3 1-3 1-3 0-1 0-1 19-24Common dolphin 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1Other species 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-2 The figures shown in Table 1. relate to approximately 20 carcasses in total for Wales. However, this breakdown within the 100 ‘cap’ is flexible. It is the authors opinion that this quota restriction will cause confusion and despondency within the reporting network resulting in a reduction of carcases being reported. It will be difficult to maintain enthusiasm of volunteers when one animal is collected and the next rejected. Additionally, the CSIP has been requested to investigate UK strandings of basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus). 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 24 hour Strandings Answerphone (01348 875000), is interrogated at regular intervals. A message requests callers to leave details of the stranding and location, along with their name and contact phone number, so they can be reached if confirmation of details are required. (If the stranding is a live stranding a message on an answer-phone informs the caller to contact the 1 Geographical regions used (see Figure 2.) correspond to previous Defra reports (e.g. Jepson 2006, http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/resprog/findings/cetacean05/index.htm).

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RSPCA immediately. see 3.1) A network of volunteers, rangers, wardens, coastal officers, Harbour Masters etc. has been formed who can be contacted by the Strandings Co-ordinator to confirm the stranding, assess its condition and secure the animal from the effects of the tide, predation etc. until it can be dealt with. In recent years the use of digital cameras has vastly improved the quality of reporting as species, sex, and condition of carcass can be ascertained from the e-mailed image. The following criteria are applied: - 3.1 Live Animals

(Condition code 1) 2

In 1994 the Marine Animal Rescue Coalition (MARC) was formed. This consists of all the major animal welfare and conservation bodies involved with marine mammals in the UK. It has been agreed that in the case of a live stranding the first point of call would be the RSPCA as they support a manned 24-hour emergency phone. The RSPCA would then contact the relevant organisations, Marine Environmental Monitoring etc. 3.2 Dead Animals

(Condition code 2a extremely fresh as if just died) 2 (Condition code 2b slight decomposition) 2 The animal is retrieved using a 4-wheel drive vehicle and trailer. Health and safety precautions are followed with the animal being handled only with gloved hands. Due to current changes the carcass is now stored frozen until delivery for post-mortem examination3 (see 2.1 Changes to Project 2006). (Condition code 3 moderate decomposition)2 The animal is retrieved using a 4-wheel drive vehicle and trailer. Health and safety precautions are followed with the animal being handled only with gloved hands. Due to current changes the carcass is now stored frozen until delivery for post-mortem examination3 (see 2.1 Changes to Project 2006). (Condition code 4 advanced decomposition)2 (Condition code 5 mummified carcass)2 Species identified, basic measurements taken if possible. Health and safety precautions being observed. Local council then contacted for safe disposal of remains. All live and dead stranded cetaceans are reported to the NHM and are allocated a “SW” number. Dead seals are reported to ZSL and are allocated a “SS” number. Dead marine turtles are reported to MEM and allocated a “T” number. Records of all strandings in Wales are kept by the Strandings Co-ordinator and passed on to the NHM and ZSL on a regular basis. Copies of post-mortem examination reports are sent from the Strandings Co-ordinator to the finder and others associated with the relevant stranding.

2 Body condition based on the Zoological Society of London condition code. 3 Large cetaceans unable to be frozen or transported are investigated at their stranding location.

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4. RESULTS 4.1 Marine Mammals

Table 2.

2007 Total number of reported marine mammal strandings (Welsh Coast).

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTALBeaked whale sp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1Bottlenose dolphin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 3Cetacean sp. Indet. 2 0 2 1 4 4 4 3 1 2 0 3 26Common dolphin 4 0 0 0 1 0 3 1 3 1 0 0 13Common/striped dolphin 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3Harbour porpoise 3 2 3 2 9 7 11 17 14 7 7 1 83Humpback whale 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1Long finned pilot whale 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1Minke whale 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1Striped dolphin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1White-sided dolphin 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2

Total cetaceans 9 2 9 3 15 11 19 22 20 11 9 5 135

Grey seal 7 2 6 2 10 2 9 4 12 5 5 5 69

Total animals 16 4 15 5 25 13 28 26 32 16 14 10 204

Table 3.

2007 Number of live cetacean strandings (Welsh Coast).

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTALHarbour porpoise 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 5Minke whale 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1White-sided dolphin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

Total animals 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 7

Of the 135 cetacean strandings 5.1% were found live stranded (7 animals). Under post-mortem examination a larger number were determined as having live stranded.

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Table 4.

2007 Number of animals selected for post-mortem examination.

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTALBottlenose dolphin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1Common dolphin 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 4Harbour porpoise 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 3 4 3 4 1 21Humpback whale 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1Minke whale 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Total animals 3 0 1 0 3 1 2 4 5 3 4 2 28

Of the 135 cetacean strandings, 44.4% (60 animals classified as fresh to moderate decomposition) were suitable for post-mortem examination, of these, 28 animals were selected for examination. The animals selected for necropsy are listed, together with the cause of death, in 13. CAUSE OF DEATH. Page 28. Table 5.

2007 Number of animals decomposed / discarded. (Welsh Coast).

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTALBeaked whale sp. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1Bottlenose dolphin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1Cetacean sp. Indet. 1 0 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 3 12Common dolphin 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 2 1 0 0 9Common/striped dolphin 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2Harbour porpoise 2 2 3 2 5 4 7 9 4 3 2 0 43Long finned pilot whale 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1Striped dolphin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1White-sided dolphin 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

Total cetaceans 5 2 7 3 7 5 12 11 8 5 3 3 71

Grey seal 6 2 5 2 7 2 9 3 11 5 5 5 62

Total animals 11 4 12 5 14 7 21 14 19 10 8 8 133

Of the 204 strandings, 65.1% (133 animals) were decomposed or discarded and the relevant local council contacted for safe disposal of remains. The remaining 21% (43 animals) were confirmed reports but, were unable to be retrieved or disposed of due to various reasons. i.e. no access to stranding, washed away, retrospective report or were found alive and returned to the sea.

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Figure 3. Reported harbour porpoise strandings on the Welsh coast.

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Figure 4. Harbour porpoise strandings by month.

Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) were the most frequently reported cetacean stranding during 2007. Numbers had shown a steady increase until recent years as shown in Figure 3. The black line shown running through the bar chart indicates harbour porpoise neonates4 recovered in each year. This line has roughly mimicked and followed the totals for each year however, 2004 shows a marked decline in neonates compared to the reported total of porpoises for that year. Due to changes in funding, explained in 2.1 Changes to Project 2006 and restriction on numbers explained in 2.2 Further Changes to the Project 2007, the numbers of porpoises recorded through 2006 and 2007 (shaded yellow in Figure 3.) will be lower than the actual number stranded as not all carcasses were attended or identified to species. Figure 4. shows porpoise strandings by month.

4 Neonate harbour porpoise classified as having a straight overall measurement from tip of upper jaw to tail notch of less than 0.90 metres. (Lockyer 1995).

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Figure 5. Reported grey seal mortality on the Welsh coast.

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Figure 6. Grey seal mortality by month.

Atlantic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) mortality reported to the project was again back down to expected levels given the favourable weather conditions during the pupping season September – November. Previous highs shown in Figure 5. are 2004, due to severe weather during the pupping season, and 1996 and 2002. In both these years, 1996 and 2002, there was a high public effort in reporting as 1996 followed the Sea Empress Oil Spill (SEOS) and 2002 was the Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV) epizootic. Both these years also include data from the Pembrokeshire Islands which has not been

recorded in other years. Animals retrieved for full post-mortem examination post SEOS and during the PDV epizootic showed no evidence that either of these events had any effect on the Welsh grey seal population.

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Figure 7. Stranding location of the 14 porpoises killed by bottlenose dolphins in 2007.

Number of porpoises killed by bottlenose dolphins.

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4.2 Bottlenose Dolphin Attacks.

Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) that had died of injuries consistent with attack by one or more bottlenose dolphin (Jepson & Baker 1998), continued to be found through 2007. The number of harbour porpoise carcasses reported to the project, identified as being “killed by bottlenose dolphins”, was greater than the previous total recorded in 2006, however care should be used when interpreting this data as not all porpoise strandings have been attended since the beginning of 2006 as explained in 2.1 Changes to Project 2006 and 2.2 Further Changes to the Project 2007. The stranding locations for the animals attended or retrieved for post-mortem examination determined as being killed by bottlenose dolphins are plotted in Figure 7. The general geographical distribution of each record is plotted on the map above. Although the map is generated directly from the data stored, it should be regarded as showing distribution of animals rather than giving absolute counts. While the co-ordinate system and the mapping software can theoretically differentiate between points as close as one metre apart, even with separations of 100 metres, at the scale at which this map is presented, some symbols may appear to overlap completely. Nine porpoises collected for full post-mortem examination were found to be killed by bottlenose dolphins. A further five porpoises deemed just unsuitable for full post-mortem examination due to their state of decomposition were examined at their stranding location by the Strandings Co-ordinator, or volunteer Sal Shipley, and were also found to have injuries consistent with fatal attack by bottlenose dolphin.

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Plate 1. Minke whale calf SW2007/067 the following day.

Plate 2. Dr John Baker examining the carcass at the stranding location.

4.3 Unusual Occurrences.

SW2007/067 was a 3.65 metre female minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) that live-stranded on the 6th March 2007 near Afon Wen, Criccieth on the Lleyn Penninsula, north Wales. Valiant attempts were made by members of the Gwynedd Maritime Services, RNLI, Coastguard and RSPCA/BDMLR to keep the animal upright and prevent it from damaging itself in the surf. Re-floats of the whale were carried-out in difficult conditions coupled with failing daylight. A later search found the animal further along the coast being washed against the boulder sea defences in pitch darkness. A decision was made to euthanase the whale and arrangements were made to conduct a post-mortem examination, on site, the next day. Pathologist Dr John Baker, assisted by Rosa Baker and members and volunteers of the CSIP, conducted a full examination of the whale on the 7th March 2007. The animal measured a little longer than the birth range given for minke whales so it was estimated the calf to be between 2 – 4 months old. The animal was in poor bodily condition being concave on the dorso-lateral aspect. The blubber layer was thinner than that expected in a healthy animal. Cause of death was:- Starvation/hypothermia. SW2007/108 was a c.1.50 metre common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) found stranded at Rhossili on the Gower Peninsula on the 9th May 2007. The species was confirmed by digital image taken by NT Ranger Sian Musgrave. The carcass was not attended by the Strandings Co-ordinator due to the state of decomposition. The local authority was informed of the carcass for safe disposal. Later reports on the same animal revealed it to be a pregnant female as a member of the public had cut it open on the beach to reveal a foetus.

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Plate 3. SW2007/109 showing boat propeller cuts? in blubber.

Plate 4. Bottlenose dolphin SW2007/169 being winched up the beach to the awaiting trailer. Photo by: Janet Baxter.

SW2007/109 was a 1.60 metre female harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) that was reported as having live-stranded and died entangled in fishing gear on the 18th May 2007 at Black Rock Sands, Gwynedd. No fishing gear was present when the carcass was collected. What appeared to be boat propeller cuts penetrated the blubber on the ventral aspect. Cause of death was:- a: Starvation / hypothermia b: physical trauma (possible boat strike). SW2007/169 was a 2.90 metre female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) found stranded at Borth, Ceredigion on the 19th August. The animal was originally reported as a harbour porpoise and as a consequence I was not able to fit the carcass into the trailer due to the fact that the ATV, brought to assist with recovery, would not allow this larger animal to share space in the trailer. With the kind permission of Janet Baxter, I was able to offload the ATV at a secure location in Borth to enable the loading and transportation of this carcass to London. Although in a state of moderate decomposition the carcass was retrieved for post-mortem examination as very few bottlenose dolphins are reported stranded and they are a priority species within the Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Cause of death was:- Generalised bacterial infection (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae).

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Plate 5. Unidentified beaked whale SW2007/188b at Aberporth.

Plate 6. The remains of SW2007/188b being removed from the public beach at Aberporth.

SW2007/188b was a 4.45 female unidentified beaked whale reported stranded at Aberporth, Ceredigion on the 18th September 2007. The carcass had been sighted from the sea on a beach within the restricted area of the headland range facility. One of the range vessels was very kindly made available to me and an inspection of the carcass was achieved. The carcass was in a state of moderate to advanced decomposition, the beak had been smashed making species identification factors immediately unavailable. Any teeth that may aid identification in beaked whale species are usually only found in adult males, in females the teeth may not erupt at all. The few teeth that may aid identification are usually on the tip of the lower jaw, unfortunately this section was missing. Samples were taken including skin for DNA, the stomach was taken for any contents and the head was removed in the hope that the species may be later identified from the cleaned skull. Disposal of remains was not possible due to the inaccessibility of the stranding location, the carcass was left to hopefully decompose naturally. Nine days later the remains of the beaked whale had washed the short distance along the coast to the public beach at Aberporth. John Merrick of Ceredigion Council was contacted and a swift operation of removal was immediately conducted. Identification of species has not yet been ascertained but it is hoped this will be achieved later in the year when the skull is eventually fully cleaned. The animal was unsuitable for a full post-mortem examination due to both decomposition and difficult stranding location so a cause of death could not be established.

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Plate 7. Striped dolphin SW2007/192 showing rope marks.

Plate 8. Bottlenose dolphin SW2007/215 showing worn teeth.

SW2007/192 was a 2.10 metre male striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) found stranded at Pembrey, Carmarthenshire on the 25th September 2007. The carcass was in a state of moderate decomposition. The black stripe running down the side of the animal appeared wider and more prominent than that noted in previous strandings of the same species. Two rope marks still showing the braid indentations in the skin were clearly visible completely circumscribing the animal just forward of and behind the dorsal fin as if it had been lashed to a boat? Similar marks were found on a bottlenose dolphin SW2001/201 from Southerndown, Vale of Glamorgan in September 2001. The carcass was not retrieved for post-mortem examination due to the state of decomposition so no cause of death was established. SW2007/215 was a 3.10 metre female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) found stranded at Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire on the 1st November 2007. The carcass was in a state of moderate to advanced decomposition and therefore not suitable for collection for full post-mortem examination within the project. However, as stated previously, this species is of high interest so the carcass was opened up and samples taken, including the stomach contents, for later analysis. Extensive teeth wear was noted through attrition with the nerves exposed on nearly all teeth, this animal must have been in an immense amount of pain. The carcass was not retrieved for post-mortem examination due to the state of decomposition so no cause of death was established.

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Plate 9. Humpback whale SW2007/239 at Aberavon, Port Talbot.

Photo by: Lin Gander.

SW2007/239 was a 8.20 metre male humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae) reported floating dead in the deep water port at Port Talbot Steel Works, Neath, Port Talbot on the 15th December 2007. Prior to this event a humpback whale had been sighted regularly feeding in the shallow waters of Swansea Bay off the Mumbles. Large numbers of sprat (Sprattus sprattus) had been reported in the bay and it was thought the whale was feeding off these fish using the headland at Mumbles as a barrier to feed against. The whale appeared fairly regularly around high water, coming to within 10 metres of the sea wall and retreating before the fast receding tide could leave it stranded. Humpback whales in UK waters are quite a rarity but three animals were reported in Cardigan Bay by Hanna Nuuttila in July, 2005. The population is strongly migratory, wintering off the coast of Africa and moving north in the summer, the fact that this animal was around in November and December gave cause for concern. Swansea Coastguard, Police, Swansea Council, RSPCA and BDMLR were alerted to the fact that a stranding, live or dead, was highly likely especially once the southwesterlies had abated and small craft would launch to view the animal adding hurdles to the whales immediate navigation. The whale moved off before the weather calmed and a week later the report was received of the whale in Port Talbot steel works harbour. The deep water port at Port Talbot is located seven miles straight across Swansea Bay, east from Mumbles, so the chance of this being the same humpback was extremely high. With the kind assistance of the D-class RNLI Inshore Lifeboat, the carcass was slowly towed and beached at the neighbouring Aberavon beach. Large whales decompose quickly. The large body mass, coupled with excellent blubber insulation means their body temperature is maintained for a long time after death accelerating bacterial growth which produces a ‘pressure cooker effect’, that reduce internal organs quickly to mush. Although armed with this knowledge, we had no alternative but to leave the post-mortem examination to first thing the next day (Sunday) as we only had one hour of available daylight left. The carcass was extremely fresh probably dying sometime the previous day. To reduce the risk of any infection to the public and also to reduce temptation from trophy hunters, attempts were made to remove the animal from the beach to a secure location where a post-mortem examination could take place. Although only a juvenile at 8.20 metres in length it thwarted efforts by two four-wheel drive tractors that endeavoured to drag it across the soft sand to an awaiting low-loader lorry. A decision was made to call a halt and leave it where it was above the high water mark overnight. The cold wind off the sea felt close to freezing but Port Talbot Coastguard kept watch over the carcass all night until we could re-group the next day for the examination. Despite the extremely cold wind, the carcass had visibly gassed-up overnight, forcing the tongue forward blocking the mouth and preventing gasses from escaping. Dr Paul Jepson and Matthew Perkins arrived from the Zoological Society of London to join myself and volunteer Gerry Jones on the beach to start the post-mortem examination.

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Plate 10. The start of the examination process of the humpback.

Photo by: Gerry Jones.

Two parallel and deep linear lacerations that penetrated into the superficial blubber layer ran along the ventral and left lateral body wall. These lacerations had a braided pattern in places and were consistent with (braided?) rope or steel cable. Further external examination revealed rope marks in the corner of the mouth and across the tongue, whether this entanglement occurred before death or after remains to be determined by laboratory analysis. The overall length together with a single testis weight of approximately 1kg would indicate the dead humpback to be a young juvenile. A mother only feeds her calf for five months during which time the calf rapidly grows from the average birth length of 4–5 metres. At the end of lactation calves are between 7.5 and 9m long (Ridgway and Harrison 1985). It is therefore likely that this 8.20 metre male humpback whale calf was between 6 and 12 months old. Calves usually stay with their mothers until they are 10-12 months old so it is possible the mother may have still have been present. The internal organs were indeed decomposing in front of our eyes during the post-mortem examination but valuable samples were collected for later laboratory analysis. The blubber thickness in the ventral abdominal region was 7.3cm, an average blubber thickness of 11.5 to 12cm (up to 14cm in a 9m long male) has been reported in humpback whales (Ridgway and Harrison 1985). It would therefore appear that this juvenile male had lost a considerable amount of blubber resulting in a compromised nutritional condition. Later reports from the steel works harbour ascertained the animal to be alive on the Friday, last seen surfacing for air, early in the afternoon. The RNLI crew who recovered the carcass on the Saturday thought they saw another whale break the surface as they retrieved the dead animal. No further reports have been received since. Cause of death: Starvation (pending histology). 4.4 Live Strandings.

Seven live cetacean strandings were recorded in 2007 these are listed below. SW2007/067 was a 3.65 metre female minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) that live-stranded on the 6th March 2007 near Afon Wen, Criccieth on the Lleyn Penninsula, north Wales. Additional information can be found in 4.3 Unusual Occurences. Cause of death was:- Starvation / hypothermia. SW2007/109 was a 1.60 metre female harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) that was reported as having live-stranded and died entangled in fishing gear on the 18th May 2007 at Black Rock Sands, Gwynedd. No fishing gear was present when the carcass was collected.

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Plate 11. White-sided dolphin SW2007/227.

What appeared to be boat propeller cuts penetrated the blubber on the ventral aspect. See Plate 3. in 4.3 Unusual Occurences. Cause of death was:- Starvation / hypothermia and physical trauma (possible boat strike). SW2007/134a was a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) that live-stranded at Porthcawl, Bridgend on the 8th July 2007, no length or gender information available. The animal was returned to the sea several times by the RNLI and later taken to deeper water and released. No further information on the fate of this animal. SW2007/164 was a 0.75 metre male harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) neonate that live-stranded at Criccieth, Gwynedd on the 14th August 2007. The body condition was moderate with some flattening of the dorsal flanks and a neck becoming visible. No adult porpoise could be seen in the vicinity so a decision was made to euthanase. Cause of death was:- a: Live-stranding b: euthanasia. SW2007/183 was a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) that live-stranded at Llanfwrog, Anglesey on the 10th September 2007, no length or gender information available. The animal was returned to the sea by members of the public and eventually swam off. It is highly likely this animal re-stranded as SW2007/184. SW2007/184 was a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) that live-stranded at Valley, Anglesey on the 11th September 2007, no length or gender information available. The animal was returned to the sea by members of the public and eventually swam off. It is highly likely this animal was SW2007/183. No further information on the fate of this animal. SW2007/227 was a 2.30 metre male white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) that live-stranded at Langland, Swansea on the 19th November 2007. The animal was supported in the sea and several re-floats were attempted but the animal repeatedly stranded. A decision was taken to euthanase the animal. At the time of this stranding I was at the Zoological Society of London delivering a batch of frozen carcasses for post-mortem examination. The initial reports on this stranding to me were of a ‘large’ porpoise, so I agreed to detour to Swansea on the return trip from London to retrieve the animal and then store frozen ready for the next delivery. The carcass was kindly recovered from the beach and stored by Swansea Council at a secure location awaiting my collection together with a statement “I hope you’ve got a big car”. The animal was found not to be a porpoise and was too large and heavy to transport with the equipment I had available, luckily I had a scalpel and gloves with me so basic samples were taken and the remains were left for disposal. Samples taken: Skin, blubber, muscle, kidney, liver, heart-blood, stomachs and head.

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Plate 12. Current tags supplied to groups on the Welsh coast.

4.5 Tagging.

Occasionally dead cetaceans are encountered at sea by various research groups undergoing surveys off the Welsh coast. These groups are encouraged to retrieve any carcass whenever possible to enable it to be included and examined through the ‘Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme’. If the carcass is in a state of advanced decomposition or cannot be recovered for any other reason, I have requested that these groups tag the carcass. Numbered tags have been supplied by Marine Environmental Monitoring to each group, these consist of a yellow plastic cable-tie with a unique number allocated to each group, these have been allocated as follows. 1 Not allocated 5.

2 Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Group. (CBMWG). 3 Seawatch New Quay. 4 Sea Trust. 5 Friends of Cardigan Bay (FoCB, Sarns Project).

The tag can be conveniently tied around the tail-stock, pectoral fin or, in the case of advanced decomposition, any exposed rib. The purpose of these tags is to stop animals being recorded twice but also it is of interest to record the date/time and position when tagged and the eventual date and location of any landfall the carcass may make. Over time this may enable a better understanding of how these carcasses are affected by tidal currents and wind direction. Two carcasses were tagged in 2007, these consisted of :- SW2007/120 Harbour porpoise at sea at 52;12,434 + 04;23,484 tagged by Steve Hartley on the 12th June 2007, not reported making landfall. No further info. SW2007/186 Harbour porpoise off Aberporth, Ceredigion tagged by Giovanna Pesante on the 13th September 2007. The carcass was later reported washed ashore at Llanrhystud, Ceredigion on the 21st September 2007.

5 Number ‘1’ was not used as it may not have been readily identified by persons subsequently reporting the stranded carcass.

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Plate 13. Remains of the tiny loggerhead turtle T2007/004.

Plate 14. Loggerhead turtle T2007/006 at ZSL.

Photo by: Matt Perkins ZSL.

5. OTHER MARINE ANIMALS REPORTED TO THE NETWORK. 5.1 Marine Turtles.

There were 9 reports of sightings and strandings of marine turtles received during 2007 around the Welsh coast. These are listed below. T2007/004 was a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) reported at Marloes Sands, Pembrokeshire on the 14th of February 2007. The carcass was desiccated and starting to fall apart. No precise measurements were taken due to the fragile nature of the remains but the Straight Carapace Length (SCL) was approximately 10cm and the Straight Overall Length (SOL) was approximately 13 cm. This record represents the smallest loggerhead turtle recorded on the UK coast in the TURTLE database. Cause of death: could not be ascertained. T2007/006 was a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) reported as alive at Tywyn beach, Gwynedd on the 17th March 2007. Unfortunately, the turtle was returned to the sea by a member of the public. Subsequent monitoring of the beach by volunteer Sal Shipley eventually revealed a dead loggerhead on the 21st March 2007. It is assumed that this carcass is the same animal. The carcass was retrieved by Sal ready for collection and delivery to ZSL for post-mortem examination. Straight Carapace Length (SCL) was 19cm and the Straight Overall Length (SOL) was 27 cm. Cause of death was:- a: Starvation/hypothermia (cold-stunned) b: stranded on back (hypostatic lungs).

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Plate 15. The remains of T2007/020 at Newgale beach.

T2007/015 was a live leatherback turtle sighted at sea off Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire on the 24th August 2007. T2007/016 was a live leatherback turtle sighted at sea off Llangwyrwe, Gwynedd on the 5th September 2007. The animal was reported as seen eating jellyfish in the area for several days. T2007/017 was a live leatherback turtle found entangled in fishing gear at sea off Porthgain, Pembrokeshire on the 12th September 2007. The animal was released alive by local fisherman. T2007/019 was a dead leatherback turtle found at sea off Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire on the 18th September 2007. The carcass was towed to Skomer Island by Phil Newman of the Skomer CCW MNR team. The carcass was reported as very decomposed, approximately 4-5 ft long, the lower jaw was taken by Juan Brown, Skomer Warden before being taken by the tide. T2007/020 was a dead leatherback turtle found stranded at Newgale beach, Pembrokeshire on the 26th September 2007. The carcass was in a state of advanced decomposition with no limbs or head. Skin was taken for DNA, the carcass tagged and the local council contacted for disposal. It is thought this turtle may be the remains of T2007/019. T2007/022 was a live leatherback turtle sighted at sea off Pembrey Sands, Carmarthenshire on the 27th September 2007. Sighted from the Environment Agency MV Vigilance. The animal was approximately 2 metres in length. T2007/026 was a live leatherback turtle sighted at sea in the vicinity of Great Ormes Head, Conwy on the 15th or 16th March 2007. Further marine turtle reports outside of Wales can be found in the UK & Republic of Ireland Marine Turtle Strandings & Sightings Annual Reports at; http://www.strandings.com/Wales.html 5.2 Sharks.

As of 2007, Defra have requested that we include investigations of stranded basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) within the project. No sharks were reported to the Strandings Network from the Welsh coast during 2007.

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Plate 16. Key volunteers and supporters at the BBC ‘Saving Planet Earth’ Garden Party at Kew Gardens.

6. SAMPLES. The normal procedure for the taking of samples is from animals that have been taken for post-mortem examination. Additional to this, samples (mostly skin, muscle & teeth) have been taken from a further 28 animals during 2007 by the Strandings Co-ordinator and volunteers. Animals sampled are listed below. 1 beaked whale sp. 1 bottlenose dolphin. 1 cetacean sp. Indet. 3 common dolphins. 1 minke whale. 19 porpoises. 1 striped dolphin. 1 white-sided dolphin. 7. FUNDING. The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG)/ Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) short term contract terminated on the 31st March 2007. A three year contract has been issued by WAG/Defra. Defra, through the Zoological Society, London, continued to cover transportation costs and the Environment Agency also maintained support of a high-powered microscope through 2007. 8. PUBLICITY. A stand was manned publicising the work of the CSIP at a BBC TV ‘Saving Planet Earth’ event in Swansea on the 9th June 2007. BBC TV ‘Iolo’s Welsh Safari’ included a section on stranded marine mammals and ‘Saving Planet Earth’ included a section on marine turtles in UK waters, both transmitted in 2007. Various strandings were covered on radio and television concerning marine mammal and marine turtle stranding incidents during 2007. BBCTV ‘Saving Planet Earth’ invited key volunteers and supporters of the CSIP to a ‘live’ Garden Party event at Kew Gardens on the 6th July 2007. The Strandings Web-site has been maintained to provide details of the ‘UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme’. Although this is intended primarily for Wales, key contact details are given for England, Scotland and Ireland. The pages can be viewed at www.strandings.com/ and I would be grateful for any comments on the Web-site and

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any further links to other sites that may be of interest. A ‘Seal’ and ‘Turtle’ page have been created on the site and related information and annual reports will be posted here. Seals: www.strandings.com/Seals.html Turtles: www.strandings.com/Turtlepage.html Posters and leaflets produced to increase awareness of the project have continued to be distributed throughout the coast of Wales. Turtle Codes have also been distributed throughout the Welsh coast. 9. LEGISLATION. In 2007 new legislation came in to force, the "Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) (amendment) Regulations 2007". This makes changes to the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regulations 1994. It is now prohibited by regulation 39(2)(a) and (b) to posses and transport dead specimens and/or derivatives of species listed on Annex IV to the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) without a licence, unless the specimen was acquired prior to 10th June 1994. Annex IV includes all cetaceans and all marine turtles. For research and educational purposes the current licensing authorities are the three government statutory conservation bodies, Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage. For possession of samples for research or educational purposes licence cover should be obtained via the use of existing general licences or a specific licence. Information and application forms are available from the relevant organisations listed above. 10. EQUIPMENT. A new vehicle has finally been purchased to recover and transport carcasses. The vehicle was purchased by funding made available from the Welsh Assembly Government with the remaining 50% made up by Marine Environmental Monitoring. The vehicle is a Commercial Land Rover Discovery 3, it is intended to install a hydraulic winch to the front of this vehicle to aid in the recovery of large cetaceans. The current Land Rover Defender will be maintained for beach recovery work until it becomes financially uneconomic. 11. TRAVEL. In excess of 8,184 miles were covered on the project in retrieval and transportation of animals in 2007. The European Cetacean Society conference in San Sebastian, Spain in April was attended. 12. ADMINISTRATION. In excess of 87 copies of post-mortem examination reports were posted out to finders and associated interested parties concerning each relevant stranding.

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SW Number Family/Genus Species County Locality Cause of DeathSW2007/009 Delphinus delphis Pembrokeshire Porth Gain Starvation/hypothermia.SW2007/010 Delphinus delphis Gwynedd Harlech Physical trauma (bycatch).SW2007/013 Phocoena phocoena Gwynedd Friog Physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack)SW2007/067 Balaenoptera acutorostrata Gwynedd Afon Wen Starvation/hypothermia.SW2007/109 Phocoena phocoena Gwynedd Black Rock Sands Starvation/hypothermia and physical trauma (possible boat strike).SW2007/114 Phocoena phocoena Gwynedd Aberdyfi Physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack)SW2007/116 Phocoena phocoena Denbighshire Rhyl Starvation/hypothermia (neonate).SW2007/128 Phocoena phocoena Ceredigion Borth Physical trauma, dystocia.SW2007/138 Phocoena phocoena Ceredigion Borth Starvation/hypothermia (neonate).SW2007/145 Delphinus delphis Pembrokeshire Broad Haven South Physical trauma (bycatch).SW2007/159f Phocoena phocoena Ceredigion Borth Physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack)SW2007/164 Phocoena phocoena Gwynedd Criccieth Live stranding, euthanised.SW2007/166 Phocoena phocoena Gwynedd Aberdyfi Physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack)SW2007/169 Tursiops truncatus Ceredigion Borth Generalised bacterial infection (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae).SW2007/181a Phocoena phocoena Pembrokeshire Martins Haven Physical trauma (bycatch).SW2007/181b Phocoena phocoena Ceredigion New Quay Physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack)SW2007/184a Phocoena phocoena Ceredigion off Ynys Lochtyn Physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack)SW2007/193 Delphinus delphis Pembrokeshire Newport Generalised bacterial infection (Edwardsiella tarda).SW2007/195 Phocoena phocoena Gwynedd Criccieth Physical trauma (possible boat strike or bottlenose dolphin attack).SW2007/197 Phocoena phocoena Swansea Caswell Bay Physical trauma (bycatch).SW2007/202 Phocoena phocoena Ceredigion off Cwmtydu Physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack)SW2007/211 Phocoena phocoena Swansea Mumbles Physical trauma (bycatch).SW2007/218 Phocoena phocoena Ceredigion Traeth Gwyn Physical trauma (possible bottlenose dolphin attack)SW2007/219 Phocoena phocoena Ceredigion Cwmtydu Physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack)SW2007/224 Phocoena phocoena Carmarthenshire Pembrey Physical trauma (bycatch).SW2007/225 Phocoena phocoena Carmarthenshire Pembrey Physical trauma (bycatch).SW2007/232a Phocoena phocoena Vale of Glamorgan Llantwit Major Starvation/hypothermia (neonate).SW2007/239 Megaptera novaengliae Neath Port Talbot Port Talbot Starvation (pending histology).

13. CAUSE OF DEATH. The provisional causes of death for the 28 selected cetaceans in a suitable condition for necropsy are given in Table 6. These carcasses underwent a full post-mortem examination at either Liverpool University or the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Please note these are provisional causes of death, and may change when additional laboratory analyses have been conducted. Table 6.

A further 5 porpoises that were deemed unsuitable for full post-mortem examination due to their state of decomposition and not listed above, were identified as being killed by bottlenose dolphins on investigation by the Strandings Co-ordinator or volunteer Sal Shipley at their stranding location. This brings the total number of porpoises killed by bottlenose dolphin to 14 for 2007. (please note; due to funding changes explained elsewhere in this report, care should be used when interpreting this data as not all porpoise strandings were attended through 2007).

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Common name. Scientific name.Basking shark Cetorhinus maximusBottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatusCommon dolphin Delphinus delphisGrey seal Halichoerus grypusHarbour porpoise Phocoena phocoenaHumpback whale Megaptera novaeangliaeKemp's ridley turtle Lepidochelys kempiLong-finned pilot whale Globicephala melasLeatherback turtle Dermochelys coriaceaLoggerhead turtle Caretta carettaMinke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrataSprat Sprattus sprattusStriped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalbaWhite-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus

14. LIST OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES USED IN THIS REPORT. Table 7. 15. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Robin Pratt, Ray and Jemma Lerwill for providing support and base of operations at Fishguard. Gerry Jones, Paul Newman, Lin Gander, Sal Shipley, Dave Kendall, Janet Baxter, Steve Gerlach, Hanna Nuuttila, Steve Hartley, Sarah Perry, Giovanna Pesante, Nia Jones and Annalisa Bianchessi for their support with the project and help in retrieving animals. Gwynedd Maritime Services, Criccieth RNLI, Holyhead Coastguard and RSPCA/BDMLR for the rescue attempt on the Minke whale SW2007/067. Qinetiq, for access to beach and boat use in the examination of the beaked whale SW2007/188b. Swansea County Council and RSPCA for the rescue attempt on the Atlantic white-sided dolphin SW2007/227 and subsequent retrieval to secure storage. Port Talbot RNLI, Port Talbot Auxiliary Coastguard and Swansea Coastguard for their help in retrieving and securing the humpback whale SW2007/239. Strandings Network volunteers, too numerous to mention for their help confirming, reporting and securing animals for collection. Welsh Assembly Government/Countryside Council for Wales & Defra for providing funds towards the project. 16. APPENDICES. Appendix 1. Cetacean stranding data for 2007. Appendix 2. Seal data 2007.

Appendix 1.

SW Number PM Family/Genus species Sex Length Condition Date County Locality Grid Reported by CommentSW2007/003 Phocoena phocoena F ? slight decomposition 03-Jan-07 Gwynedd Harlech SH573309 Roz McAlistair Investigated by Gwynedd Maritime Services, carcass heavily scavenged so disposed of. Multiple bnd rake marks visible in photograph.SW2007/004 Delphinus delphis F 1.87 moderate decomposition 04-Jan-07 Pembrokeshire Freshwater West SM880002 Terry Leadbetter Tip of upper and lower beak broken. Dragged to car park, tagged and LA informed for disposal.SW2007/004a Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? advanced decomposition 04-Jan-07 Anglesey Porth Cwyfan SH339683 Nia Jones Beak completely smashed off. Possibly delphinus or stenella. Genital slit eaten away. Few teeth collected by Ivor Rees.SW2007/007 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? advanced decomposition 08-Jan-07 Pembrokeshire in Milford Haven SM887045 Reported as part of whale floating within the Haven. Resighted stranded at Sandy Haven, thought to be a Minke?SW2007/008 Delphinus delphis ? ? advanced decomposition 08-Jan-07 Ceredigion Llanrhystud SN529698 Annalisa Bianchessi LA informed for disposal.SW2007/009 Y Delphinus delphis F 1.97 slight decomposition 13-Jan-07 Pembrokeshire Porth Gain SM814323 MatthewSW2007/010 Y Delphinus delphis M 1.97 moderate decomposition 15-Jan-07 Gwynedd Harlech SH565321 Glyn Jones HMSW2007/013 Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.34 fresh 18-Jan-07 Gwynedd Friog SH610124 David Davies Investigated and retreived by Sal Shipley. Relayed to Aberystwyth / Llechryd.SW2007/022a Phocoena phocoena M 1.20 slight decomposition 21-Jan-07 Ceredigion Ynyslas SN603934 Janet Baxter Possible bnd kill. Not investigated as quota exceeded.SW2007/045 Phocoena phocoena ? ? advanced decomposition 17-Feb-07 Anglesey Porth Cwyfan SH339683 Liz at NHM Samples of skin, blubber and muscle taken by Mandy McMath.SW2007/060 Phocoena phocoena ? ? advanced decomposition 27-Feb-07 Ceredigion Llanrhystud SN523687 Liz Allen LA informed for disposal.SW2007/065 Delph/Stenella F 2.3 moderate decomposition 03-Mar-07 Pembrokeshire Newgale SM846221 Becky Hotchin Digital images received from Cliff Benson. LA informed for disposal.SW2007/067 Y Balaenoptera acutorostrata F 3.65 live 06-Mar-07 Gwynedd Afon Wen SH466372 Barry Davies Gwynedd Maritime Officer Euthanased.SW2007/073 Phocoena phocoena ? ? slight decomposition 12-Mar-07 Anglesey Rhoscolyn SH274749 John Goold porpoise pm's exceeded for 06/07.SW2007/074 Delph/Stenella ? ? skeletal remains 12-Mar-07 Anglesey Rhoscolyn SH274749 Holyhead Coast Guard Digital image received by Holyhead CG. common/striped skull entangled in netting together with Porpoise SW2007/73.SW2007/076a Globicephala melas ? 5.00 advanced decomposition 16-Mar-07 Pembrokeshire Frainslake Sands SR887980 Lynne Ferrand Digital image received by Lynne Ferrand PCNP. Species confirmed by photograph. Carcass left above high water mark as on MOD property.SW2007/077 Phocoena phocoena F 1.2 slight decomposition 12-Mar-07 Gwynedd Harlech SH570320 Kate Williamson SNP Digital image received by Glyn Jones Barmouth HM. Species confirmed by photograph. No pm as porpoise pm's exceeded for 06/07.SW2007/078 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? 0.74 ? 17-Mar-07 Pembrokeshire Amroth SN163066 Thought to be a neonate porpoise by its size. Unable to attend due to constraints on project.SW2007/079 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 19-Mar-07 Swansea Mewslade Bay SS419870 Nigel Morris Possible Minke whale. Nothing found by Swansea CG. Thought to have re-floated.SW2007/081 Phocoena phocoena M 1.52 fresh 20-Mar-07 Ceredigion Ynyslas SN605925 Janet Baxter with Bnd attack.SW2007/085a Phocoena phocoena F ? fresh 02-Apr-07 Gwynedd Bangor SH594727 Nia Jones Species confirmed by digital photpgraph.SW2007/095 Phocoena phocoena ? ? fresh 24-Apr-07 Gwynedd Pwllheli SH390354 Trevor Jones Portmadoc HM. Unable to attend so sent for disposal.SW2007/101a Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 29-Apr-07 Gwynedd Criccieth SH485373 Diana Bowerga Portmadoc HM contacted.SW2007/104 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? 1.00 advanced decomposition 01-May-07 Gwynedd Pencastle SH594727 FionaSW2007/104a Phocoena phocoena F ? advanced decomposition 01-May-07 Gwynedd Criccieth SH486374 Malcolm Humphreys Portmadoc HM received).SW2007/105 Phocoena phocoena ? ? advanced decomposition 03-May-07 Gwynedd Hells Mouth SH269275 Ivor Rees Green trawl line around tail-stock. (possibly used to drag animal above HW mark).SW2007/106 Phocoena phocoena F 1.55 mod/advanced decomposition 07-May-07 Carmarthenshire Pembrey SS399996 David Hughes Attended, Pregnant with 65cm male foetus. Skin, muscle & teeth taken. Evidence of net maks on tail fluke. Buried by Rangers.SW2007/107 Phocoena phocoena M 1.16 mod/advanced decomposition 07-May-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SN591973 Sal Shipley Attended by Sal, Skin, muscle & teeth taken. Taken to council yard for disposal.SW2007/108 Delphinus delphis F c. 1.50 slight/moderate decomposition 09-May-07 Swansea Rhossili SS413885 Rhian Jenkins Digital image sent by NT Ranger Sian Musgrave. LA informed for disposal. Carcass opened by member of public to reveal foetus.SW2007/108a Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 15-May-07 Gwynedd Aberdyfi SN594958 Retrospective report. New beach cleaner had removed carcass from beach.SW2007/109 Y Phocoena phocoena F 1.60 live 18-May-07 Gwynedd Black Rock Sands SH527373 Evelyn Jones Reported as live stranding entangled in netting. No netting present when carcass collected.SW2007/110 Phocoena phocoena M 1.63 slight/moderate decomposition 19-May-07 Gwynedd Llwyngwril SH606117 Mick Green Investigated by Sal Shipley. Carcass unable to be retrieved due to location. Teeth, muscle & skin taken, bnd kill.SW2007/113 Delph/Stenella ? ? mod/advanced decomposition 23-May-07 Pembrokeshire Musselwick Sands SM784088 Milford Haven C.G. Unable to attend due to lack of access. Delph/Stenella indentified by telephoto image taken from top of cliff by Strandings Co-ordinator..SW2007/114 Y Phocoena phocoena F 1.16 slight decomposition 26-May-07 Gwynedd Aberdyfi SN590973 Sal ShipleySW2007/115 Phocoena phocoena ? ? advanced decomposition 28-May-07 Gwynedd Criccieth SH491376 Species confirmed and disposed of by Gwynedd Maritime Services.SW2007/116 Y Phocoena phocoena M 0.84 fresh 28-May-07 Denbighshire Rhyl SJ011824 Becky Kane RSPCASW2007/117 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? 4' 5" ? 28-May-07 Denbighshire Gronant Beach SJ085845 Phil O'Rouke Retrospective report.SW2007/118 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 30-May-07 Anglesey Rhosneigr SH315729 Emma SuttonSW2007/120 Phocoena phocoena ? 1.00 mod/advanced decomposition 12-Jun-07 Ceredigion at Sea SN369591 Steve Hartley Tagged at sea, 1 yellow tag, 1 yellow/red tag at 52;12,434 + 004;23,484.SW2007/121 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 12-Jun-07 Ceredigion Ynys Lochtyn SN312552 Annalisa Bianchessi Cetecean at sea just off Ynys Lochtyn, report via Annalisa. Species could not be identified.SW2007/122 Phocoena phocoena ? ? advanced decomposition 15-Jun-07 Carmarthenshire Pendine SN233076 Jon Moore LA informed for disposal.SW2007/122a Phocoena phocoena M 1.56 moderate decomposition 17-Jun-07 Gwynedd Aberdyfi SN603957 Sal Shipley Injuries consistant with Bnd kill. Skin, muscle & 6 teeth taken by Sal. LA informed for disposal.SW2007/122b Phocoena phocoena ? 65" advanced decomposition 20-Jun-07 Swansea Crymlyn Beach SS705927 Rob ColleySW2007/123 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 21-Jun-07 Pembrokeshire Saundersfoot SN140045 Terry Leadbetter LA informed for disposal.SW2007/126a Phocoena phocoena ? 1.55 advanced decomposition 25-Jun-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SN584991 Sal Shipley LA informed for disposal.SW2007/126b Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 27-Jun-07 Ceredigion Llangranog SN314548 Hanna Nuuttila Nothing found.SW2007/126c Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 28-Jun-07 Ceredigion Tresaith SN280516 Peter Miller Nothing found. Possibly confused location with SW2007/126b so both locations re-checked but nothing found.SW2007/126d Phocoena phocoena M 1.04 moderate decomposition 28-Jun-07 Gwynedd Aberdyfi SN612958 Sal Shipley Skin, muscle & 6 teeth taken by Sal. LA informed for disposal.SW2007/128 Y Phocoena phocoena F 1.53 slight/moderate decomposition 30-Jun-07 Ceredigion Borth SN606908 Jacki GunnerSW2007/130 Phocoena phocoena M 0.75 advanced decomposition 03-Jul-07 Ceredigion Mwnt SN194519 NT Disposed of.SW2007/131 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 03-Jul-07 Pembrokeshire Freshwater West SM880004 Ian Bennett NT Thought to be a common dolphin, nothing found next day by NT.SW2007/131a Phocoena phocoena ? 0.76 moderate decomposition 04-Jul-07 Vale of Glamorgan Southerndown SS885729 Belinda Ashong, Warden Carcass disapeared from holding area.SW2007/132a Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 05-Jul-07 Swansea Rhossili SS412910 Lawrence Thought to be a porpoise with lacerations. (carcass unsuitable for pme due to body cavity opened).SW2007/134a Phocoena phocoena ? ? live 08-Jul-07 Bridgend Porthcawl SS806772 Swansea C.G. Returned to the sea several times by RNLI. Taken to deeper water, not seen again.SW2007/135 Phocoena phocoena F 0.75 advanced decomposition 09-Jul-07 Ceredigion Tan y bwlch SN580799 Milford Haven C. G. Skin, muscle & scapula taken, carcass removed to LA depot for disposal.SW2007/138 Y Phocoena phocoena F 0.80 moderate decomposition 10-Jul-07 Ceredigion Borth SN606888 John MatthewsSW2007/139 Phocoena phocoena ? ? advanced decomposition 10-Jul-07 Gwynedd Llandanwg SH568280 Rhodri Dafydd CCW Digital image sent. Unable to determine sex of carcass due to decomposition.SW2007/139a Phocoena phocoena M 1.50 moderate decomposition 10-Jul-07 Ceredigion Ynyslas SN603934 Charlotte Evans Although only moderate decomposition the animal was heavilly scavenged. Carcass buried on beach by Rangers.SW2007/140 Phocoena phocoena F ? advanced decomposition 12-Jul-07 Vale of Glamorgan Southerndown SS885729 Ieuan LewisSW2007/142 Phocoena phocoena F ? advanced decomposition 13-Jul-07 Gwynedd Fairbourne SH608141 Barmouth H M Species confirmed by digital image sent.. Carcass disposed of by LA.SW2007/142a Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 15-Jul-07 Gwynedd Llandanwg SH569285SW2007/145 Y Delphinus delphis F 1.00 moderate decomposition 19-Jul-07 Pembrokeshire Broad Haven South SR978938SW2007/146 Phocoena phocoena ? 0.76 advanced decomposition 21-Jul-07 Denbighshire Rhyl SJ005821 Holyhead C.G. Retrieved by Rhyl CG. LA contacted for disposal Monday morning.SW2007/147 Delphinus delphis F 2.10 mod/advanced decomposition 22-Jul-07 Carmarthenshire Pendine SN245074 Security Skin, muscle & teeth taken. Carcass tagged and LA informed for disposal.SW2007/148b Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? advanced decomposition 25-Jul-07 Ceredigion Ynyslas SN604932 Mike Bailey CCW Thought to be a porpoise. LA contacted for disposal.SW2007/148c Lagenorhynchus acutus M ? advanced decomposition 26-Jul-07 Pembrokeshire Caer Fai SM761243 Lyndon Lomax Digital images sent. Species determined by tooth count.. LA contacted for disposal.SW2007/148e Phocoena phocoena F 1.55 advanced decomposition 27-Jul-07 Gwynedd Aberdyfi SN591974 Sal Shipley Skin, muscle & scapula taken by Sal. LA informed for disposal.SW2007/150 Delphinus delphis M 1.84 mod/advanced decomposition 29-Jul-07 Pembrokeshire Cwm yr Eglwys SN017401 Milford Haven C.G. Recovered to car park. LA informed for disposal.SW2007/153 Phocoena phocoena ? ? slight/moderate decomposition 05-Aug-07 Pembrokeshire Swanlake Bay SS045979 Tim Deere Jones Difficult access.SW2007/154 Phocoena phocoena M 1.42 advanced decomposition 06-Aug-07 Pembrokeshire Pendine SN276069 Security Skin, muscle & teeth taken. Carcass tagged and LA informed for disposal.SW2007/155 Phocoena phocoena F 1.72 advanced decomposition 06-Aug-07 Pembrokeshire Pendine SN283068 Security Skin, muscle & teeth taken. Carcass tagged and LA informed for disposal.SW2007/156 Delphinus delphis F c 2.00 mod/advanced decomposition 06-Aug-07 Gwynedd Cae Du SH564054 Sal Shipley Recovered by winch to top of cliff and passed to LA for disposal.SW2007/159 Phocoena phocoena M 1.42 advanced decomposition 08-Aug-07 Gwynedd Aberdyfi SN594963 Sal Shipley Skin, muscle & teeth taken. Carcass tagged and LA informed for disposal.SW2007/159b Phocoena phocoena ? adult advanced decomposition 08-Aug-07 Neath Port Talbot Port Talbot SS750888 Matthew Dorkings Retrospective report.SW2007/159c Phocoena phocoena ? ? advanced decomposition 08-Aug-07 Neath Port Talbot Port Talbot SS750888 Matthew Dorkings Retrospective report of a neonate skull.

Marine Environmental Monitoring Cetaceans 2007 Page 1

Appendix 1.

SW Number PM Family/Genus species Sex Length Condition Date County Locality Grid Reported by CommentSW2007/159d Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 09-Aug-07 Gwynedd Abersoch SH315285 Dr Dylan Evans Probably a porpoise. Nothing found by harbour master staff.SW2007/159e Phocoena phocoena ? ? fresh 09-Aug-07 Pembrokeshire Penycwm SM843227 Peter Seaward Nothing found.SW2007/159f Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.39 moderate decomposition 12-Aug-07 Ceredigion Borth SN605920 animal tracking nth with wind/tide.SW2007/159g Phocoena phocoena F 1.54 advanced decomposition 12-Aug-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SH578002 Sal Shipley Skin, muscle & teeth taken. Carcass tagged and LA informed for disposal.SW2007/159h Phocoena phocoena ? ? advanced decomposition 12-Aug-07 Gwynedd Aberdyfi SN605956 Sal Shipley Skin and muscle taken (no teeth). Carcass tagged and LA informed for disposal.SW2007/161 Phocoena phocoena F ? moderate decomposition 12-Aug-07 Carmarthenshire Llanelli SS505975 Swansea C. G. Species and sex determined by digital image sent. LA informed for disposal.SW2007/164 Y Phocoena phocoena M 0.75 live 14-Aug-07 Gwynedd Criccieth SH510377 Barry Davies Animal euthanased and retrieved for pm.SW2007/165 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 14-Aug-07 Gwynedd Llandanwg SH569285 Mr Tutton via NHM Barmouth HM contacted for investigation.SW2007/166 Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.34 slight decomposition 16-Aug-07 Gwynedd Aberdyfi SN602956 Sal ShipleySW2007/167 Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.49 fresh 16-Aug-07 Ceredigion Castell Bach SN301537 Berwen Animal investigated at-site.SW2007/168 Phocoena phocoena ? ? advanced decomposition 17-Aug-07 Ceredigion Ynyslas SN605925 CCW staff. LA informed for disposal.SW2007/169 Y Tursiops truncatus F 2.90 moderate decomposition 19-Aug-07 Ceredigion Borth SN606890 Arwen Pugh CCCSW2007/171a Phocoena phocoena F ? fresh 27-Aug-07 Flintshire Talacre SJ130852 via Giovanna Pesante Retrospective report 5th September.SW2007/174 Phocoena phocoena M 1.26 mod/advanced decomposition 30-Aug-07 Ceredigion Traeth Gwyn SN400594 CBMWC staff Skin, muscle & teeth taken. Carcass removed to roadside for collection by LA.SW2007/175 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 30-Aug-07 Ceredigion off Ynys Lochtyn SN310556 Hanna Nuuttila Carcass of dolphin or porpoise being predated by seagulls seen floating off Ynys Lochtyn.SW2007/177 Delphinus delphis F 1.82 mod/advanced decomposition 02-Sep-07 Ceredigion Aberaeron SN462634 Phil Hughes Recovered to car park. Skin, muscle & teeth taken. LA informed for disposal.SW2007/178a Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 03-Sep-07 Gwynedd Harlech SH568321 Nothing found by Barmouth HM. Presumed removed by beach cleaner, beach cleaner informed of project.SW2007/178c Phocoena phocoena ? ? ? 03-Sep-07 Ceredigion Aberaeron SN451624 Nothing found on 3rd Sept but met finder 21st Sep whilst investigating SW2007/190 who confirmed species.SW2007/181 Phocoena phocoena M ? fresh 08-Sep-07 Ceredigion off Cwmtydu SN351580 Libby Ross Possibly SW2007/175SW2007/181a Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.43 slight decomposition 09-Sep-07 Pembrokeshire Martins Haven SM760091 Terry LeadbetterSW2007/181b Y Phocoena phocoena F 0.88 moderate decomposition 09-Sep-07 Ceredigion New Quay SN390602 Sarah PerrySW2007/183 Phocoena phocoena ? ? live 10-Sep-07 Anglesey Llanfwrog SH285837 Laurie Jones Returned to the sea by members of the public, animal eventually swam off.SW2007/184 Phocoena phocoena ? ? live 11-Sep-07 Anglesey Valley SH290800 Phil Lewis RSPCA Returned to the sea by members of the public, animal swam off. Possibly SW2007/183.SW2007/184a Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.42 fresh 12-Sep-07 Ceredigion off Ynys Lochtyn SN310570 Jim Evans via Phil Lewis RSPCA Carcass retreived by fisherman and landed for the project at Aberporth.SW2007/186 Phocoena phocoena M 1.50 mod/advanced decomposition 13-Sep-07 Ceredigion off Aberporth SN210565 Giovanna Pesante SN524692 21st Sept.07 Skin, muscle & teeth taken.SW2007/188 Delphinus delphis M adult fresh 17-Sep-07 Pembrokeshire Amroth SN183073 Phil Lewis RSPCA LA informed.SW2007/188a Phocoena phocoena F 1.27 moderate decomposition 18-Sep-07 Gwynedd Aberdyfi SN595968 Sal Shipley Skin, muscle & teeth taken. Carcass removed to LA depot by Sal.SW2007/188b Beaked whale ? F 4.45 mod/advanced decomposition 18-Sep-07 Ceredigion Aberporth SN251522 Hanna Nuuttila Nov. Removed by LA.SW2007/188c Phocoena phocoena ? ? ? 18-Sep-07 Gwynedd Aberdyfi SN594960 George Monbiot Carcass reported with net marks. Nothing found by Sal. Presumed taken by tide.SW2007/190 Phocoena phocoena F 0.98 slight/moderate decomposition 21-Sep-07 Ceredigion Aberaeron SN452624 Harbour Master Scavenger damage to both sides of head. Left at Llanrhystud with SW2007/186 for collection by LA.SW2007/191 Phocoena phocoena ? 1.25 ? 21-Sep-07 Bridgend Porthcawl SS806772 Robert DaviesSW2007/192 Stenella coeruleoalba M 2.1 moderate decomposition 25-Sep-07 Carmarthenshire RAF Pembrey SN356052 Control Tower Skin, muscle & teeth taken. Rope marks around body either side of dorsal fin. Range to bury carcass.SW2007/193 Y Delphinus delphis M 2.14 fresh 25-Sep-07 Pembrokeshire Newport SN049412 Fiona EvansSW2007/194 Phocoena phocoena M 1.3 advanced decomposition 27-Sep-07 Ceredigion Tresaith SN277514 Jim Evans Carcass tagged and removed to top of slipway for collection by L.A. No samples taken due to decomposition.SW2007/195 Y Phocoena phocoena F 1.57 slight decomposition 28-Sep-07 Gwynedd Criccieth SH501379 Phil Lewis RSPCASW2007/197 Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.04 fresh 03-Oct-07 Swansea Caswell Bay SS593873 Swansea C.G.SW2007/198 Phocoena phocoena ? ? advanced decomposition 08-Oct-07 Ceredigion Ynys Lochtyn SN312552 Steve Hartley Headless, tail-flukeless (decomposition) carcass found floating just offshore. Unable to tag due to proximity to rocks and decomposition.SW2007/202 Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.08 fresh 12-Oct-07 Ceredigion off Cwmtydu SN355580 Steve Hartley Retrieved to New Quay by Steve Hartley.SW2007/203 Phocoena phocoena F 1.00 moderate decomposition 13-Oct-07 Swansea Slade SS488855 Swansea C.G. Species confirmed by digital photographs. L.A. informed for safe disposal.SW2007/204 Phocoena phocoena M 1.20 mod/advanced decomposition 13-Oct-07 Gwynedd Porth Ceiriad SH310246 Holyhead C.G. Species confirmed by digital photographs. L.A. informed for safe disposal.SW2007/205 Tursiops truncatus F 3.20 moderate decomposition 15-Oct-07 Newport Gold cliff ST376820 Swansea C.G. Species confirmed by digital photographs. Carcass taken by tide before my arrival.SW2007/206 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 16-Oct-07 Pembrokeshire Island SM843038 Milford Haven C.G.SW2007/207 Phocoena phocoena M moderate decomposition 17-Oct-07 Gwynedd Barmouth SH605161 Glyn Jones Barmouth HM Species confirmed by digital photographs. Carcass disposed of by L.A..SW2007/208 Delphinus delphis M 1.35 slight/moderate decomposition 21-Oct-07 Pembrokeshire Freshwater West SM881002 Steve Gerlach Removed from beach, tagged and left for LA.SW2007/209 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? 23-Oct-07 Gwynedd Pwllheli SH390354 Ruth Robinson Headless carcass. LA informed for disposal.SW2007/211 Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.05 slight decomposition 23-Oct-07 Swansea Mumbles SS617880 Swansea C.G. Carcass retreived by Swansea C.G. to Mumbles rescue depot for collection.SW2007/215 Tursiops truncatus F 3.10 mod/advanced decomposition 01-Nov-07 Carmarthenshire Pembrey SN376023 Wyn Parry Ranger Carcass examined on beach and to be buried on beach by Pembrey Country Park staff.SW2007/217 Phocoena phocoena ? ? ? 01-Nov-07 Anglesey Llanfairynneubwll SH294766 Phil LewisSW2007/218 Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.01 slight decomposition 06-Nov-07 Ceredigion Traeth Gwyn SN400594 Sarah PerrySW2007/219 Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.49 fresh 06-Nov-07 Ceredigion Cwmtydu SN356574 BerwenSW2007/219a Phocoena phocoena ? 0.39 fresh 07-Nov-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SN580999 Sal Shipley Part of neonate porpoise with pair of front flippers, appeared to be neatly cut from rest of body. Retro report received 22nd Jan 2008.SW2007/222 Phocoena phocoena M ? mod/advanced decomposition 10-Nov-07 Gwynedd Morfa Dyffryn SH574219 Species confirmed by digital photographs (Glyn Jones, Barmouth HM). Carcass disposed of by L.A..SW2007/223 Phocoena phocoena M 1.06 slight decomposition 12-Nov-07 Ceredigion Borth SN607891 Janet Owen Carcass heavily scavenged so unsuitable for pme. Tagged and LA informed for disposal.SW2007/224 Y Phocoena phocoena F 1.14 fresh 14-Nov-07 Carmarthenshire Pembrey SS414990 Wyn Parry RangerSW2007/225 Y Phocoena phocoena M 1.04 fresh 15-Nov-07 Carmarthenshire Pembrey SS414990 Frank Thomas RangerSW2007/226d Phocoena phocoena ? ? mod/advanced decomposition 15-Nov-07 Gwynedd Llwyngwril SH579092 Sal Shipley Retro report received 22nd Jan 2008.SW2007/227 Lagenorhynchus acutus M 2.30 live 19-Nov-07 Swansea Langland SS611871 Rohan Barker RSPCA Animal euthanised with firearm. Carcass too large to transport. Skin, blubber, muscle, kidney, liver, heart-blood, stomachs and head taken.SW2007/232a Y Phocoena phocoena F 0.83 slight decomposition 02-Dec-07 Vale of Glamorgan Llantwit Major SS954676 Belinda Ashong, WardenSW2007/234 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? ? ? 04-Dec-07 Ceredigion Clarach SN587837 Ceredigion Council Reported as half eaten carcass. Not attended.SW2007/239 Y Megaptera novaengliae M 8.20 fresh 15-Dec-07 Neath Port Talbot Port Talbot SS746878 Phil Lewis Towed to Aberavon beach by RNLI.SW2007/244 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? c 0.80 ? 22-Dec-07 Ceredigion Borth SN607910 Shaun Robinson to Peter Evans Reported as a poss. Whale foetus c 80cm long with dorsal fin. Not attended due to project constraints, possibly a porpoise.SW2007/246 Cetacean sp. Indet. ? 0.92 ? 30-Dec-07 Gwynedd Black Rock Sands SH508378 Maureen McKenzie

Marine Environmental Monitoring Cetaceans 2007 Page 2

Appendix 2.

SS_No pm species Sex ad-tip to Condition Date County Locality Grid_ref reported by CommentSS2007/011 Halichoerus grypus ? 10-Jan-07 Gwynedd Caernarfon SH467623 Robert Williams L A informed for disposal.SS2007/012 Halichoerus grypus ? moderate decomposition 10-Jan-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SN588984 Sal Shipley L A informed for disposal.SS2007/013 Halichoerus grypus ? 15-Jan-07 Gwynedd Dwyryd Toll bridge SH618383SS2007/014 Halichoerus grypus ? pup 15-Jan-07 Gwynedd Harlech SH589317 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/015 Halichoerus grypus F adult 18-Jan-07 Ceredigion Clarach Nth Beach SN585840 Brian Morgan L A informed for disposal.SS2007/016 Halichoerus grypus ? 22-Jan-07 Ceredigion Borth SN608900 Mr Roberts EA L A informed for disposal.SS2007/047 Halichoerus grypus M pup fresh 30-Jan-07 Pembrokeshire Martin's Haven SM758090 Phil Newman L A informed for disposal.SS2007/048 Halichoerus grypus ? 05-Feb-07 Vale of Glamorgan Swanbridge nr Sully ST167673 Dave Jennings VoG. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/049 Halichoerus grypus ? 27-Feb-07 Anglesey Lleiniog SH626795 John Owen CC L A informed for disposal.SS2007/068 Halichoerus grypus ? 30-Mar-07 Denbighshire Prestatyn SJ025824 Denbighshire CC L A informed for disposal.SS2007/069 Halichoerus grypus F 02-Mar-07 Pembrokeshire Freshwater West SM880000 Gillian Wilkinson L A informed for disposal.SS2007/070 Halichoerus grypus ? 02-Mar-07 Denbighshire Prestatyn SJ085845 Mrs Thorn L A informed for disposal.SS2007/071 Halichoerus grypus ? 07-Mar-07 Bridgend Porthcawl SS840770 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/072 Halichoerus grypus ? 12-Mar-07 Anglesey unknown Jonathon Bain L A informed for disposal.SS2007/073 Halichoerus grypus ? juv 31-Mar-07 Swansea Three Cliffs Bay SS537879SS2007/082 Halichoerus grypus ? 17-Apr-07 Swansea Three Cliffs Bay SS537879 Alisa Holis L A informed for disposal.SS2007/083 Halichoerus grypus ? 20-Apr-07 Pembrokeshire St Dogmaels SN166460 Angela Halewood L A informed for disposal.SS2007/086 Halichoerus grypus ? 03-May-07 Swansea Swansea SS650922 South Wales Police By iron bridge towards Mumbles. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/088 Halichoerus grypus ? 05-May-07 Ceredigion Borth SN608900 200yds from golf course entrance. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/092 Halichoerus grypus ? 14-May-07 Gwynedd Tal-y-Bont SH580211 Russel LoweSS2007/093 Halichoerus grypus ? pup 16-May-07 Ceredigion Castell Bach SN359480 Jean Bryant NT propertySS2007/094 Halichoerus grypus ? pup 16-May-07 Pembrokeshire Pwll Long SM841333 Tim Brook No access to beach.SS2007/098 Halichoerus grypus ? 11-May-07 Gwynedd Aberdovey SN591976 Cleared from beach. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/099 Halichoerus grypus ? adult 15-May-07 Gwynedd Aberdovey SN590973 Cleared from beach. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/100 Halichoerus grypus ? 28-May-07 Denbighshire Gronant Beach SJ080845 Phil O'Rourke L A informed for disposal.SS2007/101 Halichoerus grypus ? 28-May-07 Ceredigion Cei Bach SN413598 Lucy Edwards Headless. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/102 Halichoerus grypus ? 29-May-07 Ceredigion Tresaith SN276516 Andy Harrison L A informed for disposal.SS2007/103 Halichoerus grypus ? 04-Jun-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SH562028 Becky Jones RSPCA Opp. Caravan park. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/113 Halichoerus grypus ? fresh 08-Jun-07 Carmarthenshire MOD Pendine SN317069 John McKay L A informed for disposal.SS2007/114 Halichoerus grypus ? 03-Jul-07 Pembrokeshire Freshwater West SM880000 Ian Bennet NT In net with dead cetacean. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/115 Halichoerus grypus ? advanced decomposition 04-Jul-07 Gwynedd Barmouth SH604164 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/116 Halichoerus grypus F fresh 09-Jul-07 Pembrokeshire Freshwater West SM880000 Steve Gerlach NT L A informed for disposal.SS2007/118 Halichoerus grypus ? adult fresh 12-Jul-07 Pembrokeshire Solva SM797234 Lin Hunter L A informed for disposal.SS2007/119 Halichoerus grypus M 14-Jul-07 Pembrokeshire Freshwater West SM880000 Steve Gerlach NT L A informed for disposal.SS2007/174 Halichoerus grypus F advanced decomposition 15-Jul-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SH576007 Sal Shipley L A informed for disposal.SS2007/175 Halichoerus grypus ? 17-Jul-07 Ceredigion Borth SN608900 Brian Owenson Nr Post Office. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/176 Halichoerus grypus ? 24-Jul-07 Anglesey Cemlyn Bay SH333933 Jonathon Rowe L A informed for disposal.SS2007/177 Halichoerus grypus ? 24-Jul-07 Ceredigion Penbryn SN299530 Mr Harwich L A informed for disposal.SS2007/178 Halichoerus grypus ? advanced decomposition 13-Aug-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SN581998 Sal Shipley Removed from beach. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/179 Halichoerus grypus ? 26-Aug-07 Anglesey Old Range, Southstack SH202823 Mrs Champion L A informed for disposal.SS2007/180 Halichoerus grypus ? adult 31-Aug-07 Ceredigion Mwnt SN194517 Sheila Williams NT NT propertySS2007/181 Halichoerus grypus ? adult 31-Aug-07 Ceredigion Traeth Gwyn SN400596 Bert Moore L A informed for disposal.SS2007/182 Halichoerus grypus ? 01-Sep-07 Ceredigion Llangranog SN310543 Ceredigion CC L A informed for disposal.SS2007/183 Halichoerus grypus ? 04-Sep-07 Ceredigion Aberarth SN470637 Annalisa Bianchessi L A informed for disposal.SS2007/184 Halichoerus grypus F juv fresh 04-Sep-07 Ceredigion Aberporth SN259516 Annalisa Bianchessi RP attended. Carcass in two halves. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/191 Halichoerus grypus ? pup advanced decomposition 08-Sep-07 Gwynedd Tonfanau SH561048 Sal Shipley L A informed for disposal.SS2007/192 Halichoerus grypus ? 10-Sep-07 Ceredigion Penbryn SN299530 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/193 Halichoerus grypus ? pup 11-Sep-07 Ceredigion Cwmtydu SN356576 Annalisa Bianchessi L A informed for disposal.

Marine Environmental Monitoring Seals 2007 Page 1

Appendix 2.

SS_No pm species Sex ad-tip to Condition Date County Locality Grid_ref reported by CommentSS2007/194 Halichoerus grypus ? 13-Sep-07 Ceredigion at Sea Giovanna Pesante at sea 52 10 483N 4 37 650WSS2007/209 Halichoerus grypus ? 25-Sep-07 Pembrokeshire Newgale SM850210 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/210 Halichoerus grypus ? adult advanced decomposition 25-Sep-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SH567023 Sal Shipley L A informed for disposal.SS2007/211 Halichoerus grypus ? pup moderate decomposition 25-Sep-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SH576009 Sal Shipley L A informed for disposal.SS2007/212 Halichoerus grypus ? pup 27-Sep-07 Ceredigion Cwmtydu SN356576 Bob Thomas L A informed for disposal.SS2007/213 Halichoerus grypus ? pup advanced decomposition 27-Sep-07 Ceredigion Llangranog SN310543 Bob Thomas L A informed for disposal. No head.SS2007/214 Halichoerus grypus ? 01-Oct-07 Pembrokeshire Goodwick SM948380 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/215 Halichoerus grypus ? pup 05-Oct-07 Pembrokeshire Freshwater West SM880000 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/216 Halichoerus grypus ? (moult 05-Oct-07 Pembrokeshire Freshwater West SM880000 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/217 Halichoerus grypus ? 09-Oct-07 Ceredigion Llanrhystud SN534699 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/218 Halichoerus grypus ? pup 22-Oct-07 Gwynedd Abersoch SH314284 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/219 Halichoerus grypus ? 04-Nov-07 Swansea Oxwich Bay SS515875 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/220 Halichoerus grypus M juv 06-Nov-07 Ceredigion New Quay SN397594 Sarah Perry L A informed for disposal.SS2007/221 Halichoerus grypus ? 09-Nov-07 Anglesey Church Bay SH301894 L A informed for disposal. Confirmed by Dave Powell.SS2007/222 Halichoerus grypus ? advanced decomposition 12-Nov-07 Ceredigion Cwmtydu SN356576 Berwen L A informed for disposal.SS2007/225 Halichoerus grypus ? pup 26-Nov-07 Gwynedd Aberdovey SN591976 Sandy Andrews L A informed for disposal.SS2007/226 Halichoerus grypus ? fresh 02-Dec-07 Swansea Swansea SS650922 Clive Morgan L A informed for disposal. Reported as shot.SS2007/227 Halichoerus grypus ? pup 02-Dec-07 Pembrokeshire West Angle Bay SM852032 Paul Cooke L A informed for disposal.SS2007/228 Halichoerus grypus ? 04-Dec-07 Ceredigion Mwnt SN194517 Paul Holloway L A informed for disposal.SS2007/253 Halichoerus grypus ? 24-Dec-07 Swansea Port Eynon SS469851 Swansea C.G. L A informed for disposal.SS2007/254 Halichoerus grypus ? 28-Dec-07 Ceredigion Llanrhystud SN534699 L A informed for disposal.SS2007/278 Halichoerus grypus ? advanced decomposition 03-Nov-07 Gwynedd Tywyn SN583992 Sal Shipley Retro report 22nd Jan. 2008.

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