Report stranded marine animals in Devon & Cornwall

08/12/2008 17:31:07 December 2008. With the start of December and the onset of winter storms, Devon and Cornwall Wildlife Trusts are expecting an increased number of dead marine animals stranding along the region's coastline. The charities are once again urging the public to report any sightings to them so that the phenomenon can be more closely monitored.

Devon and Cornwall Wildlife Trusts would like to know of any species of stranded marine animal. They have been recording trends for many years, building up a good picture of the types of species washed up and likely causes of the problem.

If you come across a marine stranding in Devon, contact the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre on 01392 274128. When reporting a stranding out of office hours, leave a message on the answerphone with details including name and contact number, date and time of the sighting, species (if known) and as much detail of its location as possible.

Marine Stranding Network
Stranded marine animals in Cornwall should be reported immediately to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Stranding Network on their 24 hour Hotline number: 0845 201 2626. The Hotline is covered every day of the year. More information about the Strandings Network can be found at www.cwtstrandings.org

Lauren Davis from the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre said: "In the past we have seen an increase in dolphin strandings over the winter period so it is important the public are on the look out now and call us as soon as they come across one. We need as many eyes out there as possible. We do have volunteers who help us, but it is difficult to monitor all the beaches in the South West without the public's help."

The charities will always try to get a trained volunteer out to as many strandings as possible to record details about the species and exact location.

Lauren added: "Recording stranded animals provides us with information about the marine environment and the health of marine creatures. This information is vital in helping us to conserve our marine wildlife and cannot be learnt just from studying live animals. If we catch strandings in time, they can be sent off for post mortem examination from which we can learn about causes of death, distribution, diet, diseases and the effects of pollution."