Relationship between biological, pathological and toxicological parameters and the cause of death in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded on the coast of Belgium and northern France ...

• Main Authors: Jauniaux., T., Das, K., Haelters, J., Jacques, T., Kiszka, J., Pezeril, S., Stekké, V., Weijs, L., Coignoul, F.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: ASC 2010 - Theme session F 2024
• Subjects: Ecosystem observation, processes and dynamics; Phocoena phocoena
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.25069649.v1; https://ices-library.figshare.com/articles/conference_contribution/Relationship_between_biological_pathological_and_toxicological_parameters_and_the_cause_of_death_in_harbour_porpoises_Phocoena_phocoena_stranded_on_the_coast_of_Belgium_and_northern_France/25069649/1

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.The Marine Animals Research and Intervention Network (MARIN) investigated the cause of death of marine mammals stranded on the coastline of the southern North Sea (Belgium and northern France) or as bycatch delivered by fishers. The aim of the study was to compare biological, pathological, and toxicological parameters involved in the cause of death (traumatic or infectious) of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) collected between 1990 and 2008. In total, 520 porpoises were necropsied and sampled. Two causes of death appeared to prevail: first, infectious diseases: 191 animals had severe parasitosis and pneumonia, and second, bycatch in fishing nets: 120 had died of trauma, mostly as a result of bycatch in fishing gear. Most strandings and bycatches occurred in winter and there were more males than females. The majority of stranded animals taken as bycatch were juveniles. Compared with porpoises taken as bycatch, animals that had died of an ...