Mass strandings of seven toothed and baleen whale species in Northern Norway in March 2020 call for further investigation

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Aniceto, A. S., Tassara, L., Rikardsen, A., Blévin, P.
• Other Authors: VISTA - Den Norske Vitenskaps-Akademi, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2021
• Subjects: General Agricultural and Biological Sciences; Arctic; Norway; Balaenoptera physalus; baleen whale; baleen whales; Harbour porpoise; hyperoodon ampullatus; Lagenorhynchus albirostris; Megaptera novaeangliae; Northern Norway; Phocoena phocoena; Physeter macrocephalus; Polar Biology; toothed whales; White-beaked dolphin
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-021-02869-6; https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00300-021-02869-6.pdf; https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-021-02869-6/fulltext.html

Abstract Monitoring whale strandings are a key aspect of ecosystem management as stranded animals can provide indications on ecosystem health, pollution and adverse effects due to anthropogenic activities. Most mass mortality events are reported for toothed whales and rarely involve baleen whales. In the course of one month in spring 2020, 17 whales belonging to seven different species, stranded on the shores of Northern Norway, above the Arctic circle. This multi-species event included humpback ( Megaptera novaeangliae) , fin ( Balaenoptera physalus) and sperm whales ( Physeter macrocephalus ), that were accompanied by northern bottlenose whales ( Hyperoodon ampullatus ), a white-beaked dolphin ( Lagenorhynchus albirostris ), a long-finned pilot whale ( Globicephala melas ) and a harbour porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena ). We discuss some potential causes of death based on the previous literature and available information for the area, highlighting the need for further investigation on cetacean strandings at high latitudes. Ultimately, the reasons for the stranding could only be identified by a thorough examination of all the animals, which was unfortunately not conducted. As the threats to polar ecosystems and access to local shores are likely to increase, reports of cetacean mortality are also expected to surge, particularly in high latitude regions where climate variations and anthropogenic activities are increasing. This study makes recommendations for future steps and considerations for monitoring networks and standardized sampling methods for future marine mammal stranding events. Finally, we suggest that national and international efforts based on the collaborative relationships are implemented, considering the multiple facets of animal ecology and health as an achievable step in the near future.