European stranding networks as a tool for monitoring marine mammal populations (Part I): towards optimising the functioning of networks

Abstract The study of stranded animals is a valuable aid to monitoring marine mammals globally. However, the utility of strandings data depends on their quality and representativeness, which is affected by various biological, physical, social and economic factors. An analysis of how stranding networks work could help understand limitations in the data collected and facilitate correcting for or even eliminating them. In 2021, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea’s Working Group on Marine Mammal Ecology carried out an expert consultation using a questionnaire to provide insight into the contribution of European stranding networks as a monitoring tool in European countries with Northeast Atlantic and adjacent coasts (hence also including some networks operating along the Mediterranean coast). A key aim was to identify ways to improve data on mortality of marine mammals due to fishery bycatch. The present paper is the first of a two-part series based on the responses to the questionnaire by 45 organisations from 19 countries, and focuses on characterising the activities and capacities of the stranding networks surveyed, identifying differences within and between countries, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, and providing recommendations to enhance the value and credibility of the information collected. The second paper will focus on the information specifically related to mortality due to fishery bycatch. Stranding networks provide extensive spatio-temporal coverage of European coastlines, but their activities may be constrained by limited resources as well as limitations imposed by the stranding process. There is a need for better coordination and standardisation of the collection and analysis of data and samples and increased spatial coverage to fill gaps. To improve data quality, in particular to support assessment of impacts of threats such as bycatch, more necropsies and associated sample analysis are needed. It would also be advantageous to collect more information from less fresh animals, record search effort, and give greater attention to pinnipeds and non-marine mammal taxa. We also highlight the need to make information available and the potential value of a common database. Streamlining the reporting of results at the European level and providing systematic funding to stranding networks in accordance with their needs are necessary steps to optimise their role as a tool for the long-term monitoring of marine mammals and other marine megafauna in Europe.

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Journal
ICES Journal of Marine Science
Published
2025-11-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsaf194
Primary Topic
Marine animal studies overview
Type
article
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article

European stranding networks as a tool for monitoring marine mammal populations (Part I): towards optimising the functioning of networks

J. Haelters, Frederico Monteiro Neves, Antonio Fernández, Guðjón Már Sigurðsson et al.
ICES Journal of Marine Science
Marine animal studies overview
article

European stranding networks as a tool for monitoring marine mammal populations (Part I): towards optimising the functioning of networks

J. Haelters, Frederico Monteiro Neves, Antonio Fernández, Guðjón Már Sigurðsson, Luís Freitas, Machteld I M Geut, Jens Brackmann, Linnea Cervin, Anita Gilles, Tim Kåre Jensen, David Jacinto, Juanjo Villalón, G.O. Keijl, M.F. Leopold, Ruth Fernández, Sverrir Daníel Halldórsson, Jesús Varas, Anna Roos, Charlotte Bie Thøstesen, Arne Bjørge, Rosie S. Williams, Manuel Arbelo, Mart Jüssi, Sara Pardal, Álvaro García de los Ríos, Maris Plikshs, Sophie Brasseur, Willy Dabin, Anders Galatius, Ailbhe S. Kavanagh, Iwona Pawliczka, Cristina Claver, Mariel ten Doeschate, Raquel Puig‐Lozano, Jarco Havermans, Matthieu Authier, Joana I. Robalo, Miguel L. Grilo, Antonia Solomando Marti, Thea Hamm, José Luís Crespo-Picazo, Gísli A. Víkingsson, Simon Berrow, Pablo Covelo, Camilo Saavedra, Vaida Survilienė, Marie Petitguyot, Peter G. H. Evans, Alfredo López, Susana Simião, Andrea Fariñas-Bermejo, Fernando Cánovas, Graham John Pierce, Aleksija Neimanis, Jaap van der Hiele, Ana Marçalo, Michael Dähne, Andrew Brownlow, Pepijn Kamminga, Heidi Huus Petersen, Hans Verdaat, Rob Deaville, Lonneke L. IJsseldijk, Gilberto P. Carreira, Joana Miodonski, Markus Ahola, Juan Antonio Raga, Nicholas J. Davison, Bjarni Mikkelsen, Jasmine Stavenow, Carolina Fernández, José Antonio Martínez Cedeira, Mariano Domingo Álvarez, N. Marques, Elena Álvarez Neches, Dylan Verheul, Ramón Balsera Riesgo, Johnny Woodlock
article en

Abstract

Abstract The study of stranded animals is a valuable aid to monitoring marine mammals globally. However, the utility of strandings data depends on their quality and representativeness, which is affected by various biological, physical, social and economic factors. An analysis of how stranding networks work could help understand limitations in the data collected and facilitate correcting for or even eliminating them. In 2021, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea’s Working Group on Marine Mammal Ecology carried out an expert consultation using a questionnaire to provide insight into the contribution of European stranding networks as a monitoring tool in European countries with Northeast Atlantic and adjacent coasts (hence also including some networks operating along the Mediterranean coast). A key aim was to identify ways to improve data on mortality of marine mammals due to fishery bycatch. The present paper is the first of a two-part series based on the responses to the questionnaire by 45 organisations from 19 countries, and focuses on characterising the activities and capacities of the stranding networks surveyed, identifying differences within and between countries, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, and providing recommendations to enhance the value and credibility of the information collected. The second paper will focus on the information specifically related to mortality due to fishery bycatch. Stranding networks provide extensive spatio-temporal coverage of European coastlines, but their activities may be constrained by limited resources as well as limitations imposed by the stranding process. There is a need for better coordination and standardisation of the collection and analysis of data and samples and increased spatial coverage to fill gaps. To improve data quality, in particular to support assessment of impacts of threats such as bycatch, more necropsies and associated sample analysis are needed. It would also be advantageous to collect more information from less fresh animals, record search effort, and give greater attention to pinnipeds and non-marine mammal taxa. We also highlight the need to make information available and the potential value of a common database. Streamlining the reporting of results at the European level and providing systematic funding to stranding networks in accordance with their needs are necessary steps to optimise their role as a tool for the long-term monitoring of marine mammals and other marine megafauna in Europe.

ICES Journal of Marine ScienceVol. 82(11)
Mercer (Czechia) (CZ), Linde (United States) (US), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ES), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ES), Moog (United States) (US), University of Copenhagen (DK), Naturalis Biodiversity Center (NL), African Wildlife Foundation (US), Medical Products Agency (SE), Zoological Society of London (GB), Universitat de València (ES), Bangor University (GB), Turku University of Applied Sciences (FI), University of the Basque Country (ES), University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (NL), Vilnius University (LT), Scottish Environment Protection Agency (GB), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation (DE), Utrecht University (NL), Aarhus University (DK), Gobierno del Principado de Asturias (ES), Fistula Foundation (US), Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (DE), Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU (ES), Swedish Museum of Natural History (SE), Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (NO), Generalitat Valenciana (ES), International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (DK), Irish Universities Association (IE), University of Gdańsk (PL), World Water Watch (US), Instituto de Estudos do Mar Almirante Paulo Moreira (BR), Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR” (LV), Easterseals (US), Instituto Español de Oceanografía (ES), AZTI (ES), The Dia Foundation for Research on Ageing Societies (JP), Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana (ES), Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Recursos Naturais (PT), Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (ES), ISPA - Instituto Universitário (PT), Gobierno de Canarias (ES), Islamic Azad University of Varamin (IR), Museum of Fine Arts (HU), Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (IS), Marine Research Centre (MV), Swedish Forest Agency (SE), Havstovan (FO), Catalonian Research and Innovation Centre (ES), Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (DE), Danish Agriculture and Food Council (DK), Para La Tierra (PY), Servicio Murciano de Salud (ES), Horse Hospital (GB), Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía (ES), Marine Institute (IE), Deutsche Meeresmuseum (DE), Baikal Nature Reserve (RU), Klinikum Wilhelmshaven (DE), Universitat de les Illes Balears (ES), Universidade da Madeira (PT), University of Algarve (PT), Universitat de Barcelona (ES), La Rochelle Université (FR), University of Glasgow (GB), Wageningen University & Research (NL), Junta de Andalucía (ES)
Pinngortitaleriffik, Havs- och Vattenmyndigheten, Zoetis, European Commission, Eusko Jaurlaritza, Universitat de València, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Xunta de Galicia, Centro de Ciências do Mar, Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico, Office Français de la Biodiversité, Centro de Estudos Ambientais e Marinhos, Universidade de Aveiro, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Organismo Autónomo Parques Nacionales, Interreg
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Marine animal studies overview
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