Browsing by Subject "Stranding"
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Item Open Access A PROCEDURAL REVIEW OF THE MASS PILOT WHALE STRANDING IN THE FLORIDA KEYS, 2003(2004) Jenkins, Cherie LOn April 18, 2003, twenty-eight short-finned pilot whales stranded in the shallow waters near Content Keys Passage, about five miles north of Big Pine Key in the lower Florida Keys. Of the twenty-eight, 21 animals died at the site, were euthanized or moved back into deeper water and their whereabouts were unknown. Seven whales were moved to a rehabilitation site and after almost four months of care, four female juveniles and one male calf were released about 15 miles offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. The response, rehabilitation and release efforts during mass stranding events are challenging situations that require the cooperation of multiple organizations, including federal agencies, regional stranding networks, local marine mammal societies and volunteers. I examine the legislative and regulatory basis for stranding programs and the organizational structure that they establish, and evaluate conflicts that arose during this particular mass stranding of pilot whales. I use recommendations solicited from various professionals involved in all phases of the event to provide suggestions as to how this process could be improved upon during future events. I provide specific recommendations to address problems in communication among the multiple organizations, the lack of a clear chain of command, improper data collection and disagreements among veterinary staff as to the release of individual whales. Only by learning from previous experience and identifying strengths and weaknesses within current operations will stranding networks provide the care and support needed by animals under their care.Item Open Access Enhancement of Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Response Through UAS(2024-04-25) Fallon, JohnThe Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network responds to live and dead marine mammal reports across the state. Response in Louisiana is unique when compared to other stranding networks in the Gulf, as the coastline is a mix of marsh, barrier islands, and beaches spread out over 7,721 miles, making monitoring difficult and resource intense. Stranding network participants are looking for new methods to enhance network performance, including incorporation of unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS). This project assesses the potential of UAS in the Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network through the review of common stranding activities and how they may benefit from the technology. Assessment was informed by research on UAS regulations and policy, UAS equipment, and stranding network operations. Final analysis demonstrates that UAS can provide a benefit to certain aspects of stranding response, but regulations limit UAS from reaching its full potential in supporting network activities.Item Open Access Inferring Survival and Mortality of Stranded Common Dolphins Off Cape Cod, MA Using Satellite Telemetry Data(2020-04-24) White, AudreyOver the past decade, post-release monitoring of stranded cetaceans has been facilitated by the use of satellite-linked telemetry. On Cape Cod, 76 stranded common dolphins, (Delphinus delphis) have been released with satellite tags since 2012, leading to new discoveries about their behavior and habitat use. However, these tags seldom transmit for their entire battery life, leading to questions about the survival and mortality of animals following rescue. My project examined whether or not it is possible to infer post-release mortality through an analysis of three behavioral parameters: swim speed; turning angle; and number of messages received per day. Three individuals in this data set are known to have died because their carcasses were recovered on shore. I used data from these three animals to characterize behavioral patterns associated with known mortality. These three individuals had transmission periods ranging from less than one day to six days. I assume that 36 dolphins with transmission periods of longer than 21 days survived, and I examined the three behavioral parameters for signs of mortality in 27 dolphins for which transmission period was less than 21 days. Dolphins that were known to have died following release exhibited slower swim speeds (Kolmogorov-Smirnov=0.27, p=0.0002) and a smaller turning angle (KS=0.2, p=0.0047). The number of messages received per day was complicated by inconsistent duty cycling and limitations in maximum number of messages allowed per day and results from this analysis were inconclusive. Understanding the post-release survival and mortality of stranded and rescued marine mammals will help stranding programs determine which animals are good candidates for release and improve rescue techniques on the beach.Item Open Access Patterns of Seal Strandings and Human Interactions in Cape Cod, Massachuettes(2005) Swails, Kathryn SandmeyerFrom 1999 to 2004, 622 pinniped strandings were recorded by the Cape Cod Stranding Network (CCSN). Fifty-seven of these strandings were classified as human interaction cases. Strandings were defined as human interaction (HI) cases if there was evidence of anthropogenic injury or harassment present of noted upon necropsy. To minimize the frequency and severity of adverse interactions between seals and humans, it is important to first understand the spatial and temporal patterns of such interactions. Using stranding data obtained from the CCSN, I examined the seasonal and spatial distribution of interactions between humans and four pinniped species: harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), and hooded seals (Cystophora cristata). The majority of the HI cases were fishery entanglements (29 seals), followed by boat collisions (11 seals), harassment (9 seals) and blunt trauma (8 seals). I compared the frequency of all strandings with the length of shoreline in each of the Cape’s fifteen towns. I then considered the frequency of strandings in relation to the number of beach vehicle permits sold in each town for the summer season. The highest number of HI strandings occurred in the summer months in the Chatham area. Knowledge of seasonal and spatial patterns of HI cases will allow managers to focus mitigation efforts in times and areas when such interactions occur frequently. This knowledge will also allow managers to better disseminate information on appropriate means of viewing wild seals.