Cetacean Strandings Around Scotland’s Coast

Presentation by E. X. Ample21.03.2012

• My project is about

• Why I chose cetacean strandings

• What I already knew

• What I have learned

• Sources of information

• What is still to be done

Structure of Presentation

• Cetacean Strandings Around Scotland’s Coast• The causes of Cetacean strandings• The increase/decrease of strandings• Environmental/non-environmental

contributors to strandings• Media coverage of Strandings• Public opinion

My Project is About…..

• Interest in Marine Biology.

• Not a widely discussed topic.

• Little known due to lack of public attention.

Why I Chose Cetacean Strandings

• Strandings involve dead or alive animals, caused by different reasons.

• Occur by accident or due to illness,

injury or death.

• Human contributions are to a large scale.

• Aware of the apparent increase in strandings.

What I Already Knew

• Sociable strandings occur.

• Not many people are aware of strandings even though there seems to be increased media coverage.

• “Fishies Royal”

• Continuous increase in contributors to strandings

What I Have Learned

Journals Such as:• The Possible Impacts Of Military Activity On

Cetacean In West Scotland

Books Such as:• The Mystery of Whale Strandings: A Cause and

Effect Investigation by Jody Sullivan

• The Whale Scientists: Solving the Mystery of Whale Strandings by Fran Hodgkins

Websites such as: • Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust• Uk Strandings• Natural History Museum

Sources of Information

• Continue comparing information on past and more recent strandings.

• Questionnaire.

• Contact Organisations.

• Adjust layout of report.

What Is Still To Be Done

• Information was not as readily available as I first thought.

• 700 years of records.

• Awareness seems to be low.

• Causes seem to be ever increasing.

• People can be very unhelpful.

Conclusion

• Limited access to information – Ample information and new sources found.

• Lack of availability of people to interview and meet – Try and contact people through email/telephone for those unable to meet.

• Time Management – Developed a study/work plan and prioritised work.

• Research techniques – Looked at research methods and picked one that suited me.

Difficulties & Solutions

Uk Strandings – www.ukstrandings.org

HDWT – www.whaledolphintrust.org

Natural History Museum -http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/research/groups/nhm-cetacean-strandings-project/index.html

The Whale Scientists: Solving the Mystery of Whale Strandings by Fran Hodgkins (Book)

 Google images

Sources

Any Questions?

Thank you for listening.