Dear All,

Since February 3rd, almost 200 small cetaceans were found stranded along the French Atlantic coast, between the Loire and Gironde estuaries (45°N – 47°N). 98% of the recorded stranded animals were common dolphins. Most of them were examined by Observatoire PELAGIS or members of French stranding network (Reseau National Echouage or RNE). Observatoire PELAGIS conducted 68 extensive examinations, and 85% of examined carcasses showed evidences of incidental capture in fishing gears. These evidences included broken beaks, cut-off fin or tail fluke, external net marks, and agonic froth in lungs. These animals were in good body condition and health status (overall no pathological lesions), and displayed full stomach contents. The decomposition codes were from fresh to moderate, suggesting that time after death was from 3-10 days prior to reporting: i.e. during the last two weeks of January.

The “Leiv” and “Marcel” storms that occurred on February 3rd and 5th along the French coasts seemingly provided suitable drift conditions that accelerated the stranding of already drifting bycaught common dolphin carcasses in a shorter time frame.

Since the 90’s, seven similarly extreme mortality events were recorded by RNE along the French Atlantic coast. Observer programs on French pelagic trawlers revealed the specificity and intensity of common dolphin bycatch.

More information on our website (in french).

http://www.observatoire-pelagis.cnrs.fr/actualites-240/actualites/article/pic-d-echouages-multiples-de

Observatoire PELAGIS
University of La Rochelle / CNRS
France