Understand
Guidance issued on what to do when a whale or marine animal washes up on a UK beach
Overview
Following the recovery of a pilot whale and a porbeagle shark on the Northumberland coast, official advice explains what members of the public should do when encountering stranded marine life. Experts advise keeping clear, keeping dogs on leads, and reporting live animals to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) and dead ones to the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP).
Key points
- A pilot whale and a porbeagle shark washed up on the Northumberland coast within days of each other.
- Live strandings should be reported immediately to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) or RSPCA.
- Dead strandings should be reported to the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP).
- Members of the public are advised not to approach, touch, or attempt to return live animals to the sea.
- Stranded marine animals can carry diseases, infections, and parasites such as sea lice.
- Dogs should be kept at least 100m away from stranded animals to prevent the transmission of infections.
- Whales are considered royal fish, with the Receiver of Wreck managing the Royal Prerogative and notifying landowners regarding removal and disposal.