A dolphin has been found dead in Falmouth this morning and will now undergo a post-mortem.
The Marine Strandings Network was called to Custom House Quay earlier today (Saturday), supported by Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team and Falmouth Harbour.
Coastguard volunteers provided water safety cover for the Marine Strandings Network volunteers, who recovered the body of the dolphin from the basin of the quay.
The sea creature was collected for a post-mortem examination to be carried out, in the hope of learning more about how and why it died, and potentially prevent further deaths.
A spokesperson for Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team said: “We were tasked today to assist Marine Strandings Network with an incident in Falmouth.
“Thanks to Falmouth Harbour for the assistance.”
The Marine Strandings Network is part of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, which has been recording and monitoring dead marine wildlife strandings in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for 20 years.
Volunteers work in partnership with the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Progamme, which is DEFRA funded, alongside the University of Exeter, to lead on marine strandings work for Cornwall.
A team of more than 150 volunteers are ready to answer the Strandings Hotline whenever an incident of dead marine life is reported.
The volunteers also record all reported strandings of marine organisms on Cornwall's coastline.
They take records and photographs of all dolphins, whales and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans), seals, basking sharks and turtles that wash up in Cornwall.
The information is used to support post-mortem examinations of suitable animals to determine causes of death.
Explaining the reason behind the further investigations, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust said: “This gives us an understanding of the threats marine wildlife are facing, so we can campaign for changes to manage and mitigate these threats.”
The Marine Strandings Network is not only interested in larger marine life washed up; it states it also collects data on everything from guillemots and zulu fish to violet snails and buoy barnacles.
Dead marine life washed up can be reported via the Strandings Hotline on 0345 201 2626.
There is also a separate number for live marine animals being disturbed; the Disturbance Hotline is 0345 201 2626.
For live marine animals in distress call the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) on 01825 765546.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel