Kia ora colleagues, We are pleased to share our latest paper in Marine Policy which has free open access here<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X2200330X?via%3Dihub>. Stockin KA, Pawley MDM, Jarvis RM, Boys RM (2022). Examining the role of human perceptions during cetacean stranding response in New Zealand. Marine Policy 145: 105283. Abstract: Cetacean strandings often elicit significant media attention and public engagement. However, how human perceptions of such events may influence decision-making during strandings response is poorly understood. To address this, we undertook an online questionnaire targeting stranding relevant/interested parties in New Zealand, Aotearoa to understand perceptions around stranding events and response. Participants responded to questions and statements using the 5-point Likert scale to explore human perceptions and expectations of intervention, decision-making, animal welfare and survival prognosis during strandings. Responses were ana[1]lysed based on level of experience and role at stranding events using descriptive and multivariate statistics. A total of 268 respondents completed the questionnaire; most stated that human intervention is necessary to assist animals during strandings. However, 43% of respondents indicated that they did not know what affect intervention may have on the animals. Notably, participants felt that human intervention was more likely to improve survival (26%) than welfare (19%). Importantly, experienced responders appeared more welfare complacent, prioritising survival for strandings response decision-making. Respondents from the legislative agency responsible for strandings in New Zealand, indicated that public sentiment may take precedence over welfare considerations when considering euthanasia. Our results highlight a disjunct between perceptions of welfare and survival, despite these variables being inextricably linked. This may be cause for concern in highly publicised strandings events where management decisions are more likely influenced by public sentiment. Comprehensive animal assessments that are informed both by animal welfare and survival prognoses are required to ensure the best outcomes for stranded cetaceans. nāku noa, Karen Karen A Stockin, PhD Professor – Marine Biology Rutherford Discovery Fellow – Royal Society Te Aparangi Cetacean Ecology Research Group | School of Natural Sciences | Massey University Private Bag 102 904, North Shore, Auckland 0745, New Zealand Physical Address: Building 5, Gate 4, The Station Crescent, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand [cid:image001.png@01D8CFFB.84420610]+64 (0)21 423997 • k.a.stockin@massey.ac.nz<mailto:k.a.stockin@massey.ac.nz> • http://www.cetaceanecology.org<http://www.cetaceanecology.org/> [cid:image002.png@01D8CFFB.84420610]<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen_Stockin> [cid:image003.png@01D8CFFB.84420610] <https://scholar.google.co.nz/citations?user=3veDZKUAAAAJ&hl=en> [cid:image004.png@01D8CFFB.84420610] <https://twitter.com/karen_stockin> [cid:image005.png@01D8CFFB.84420610] <https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanEcologyOrg/posts/3281214818613245> [cid:image006.png@01D8CFFB.84420610] <https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=926050> [cid:image007.png@01D8CFFB.84420610] <https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/explore/research/animal-veterinary/animal/marine/marine_home.cfm> [cid:image008.png@01D8CFFB.84420610]<https://www.cetaceanecology.org/>