Cetacean Unusual Mortality Event in Northern Gulf of Mexico Continues

[sharon sanders]

2010-2011 Cetacean Unusual Mortality Event in Northern Gulf of Mexico

Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (as amended), an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) has been declared for cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in the northern Gulf of Mexico (Texas/Louisiana border through Franklin County, FL) from February 2010 through the present.

Note: These numbers are preliminary and may be subject to change. As of August 7, 2011, the UME involves 512 Cetacean "strandings" in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (4% stranded alive and 96% stranded dead). Of these:

Cetaceans Stranded Phase of Oil Spill Response Dates
113 cetaceans stranded prior to the response phase for the oil spill February 1, 2010- April 29, 2010
115 cetaceans stranded or were reported dead offshore during the initial response phase to the oil spill April 30, 2010- November 2, 2010
284 cetaceans stranded* after the initial response phase ended November 3, 2010- August 7, 2011**
*This number includes 6 dolphins that were killed incidental to fish related scientific data collection and 1 dolphin killed incidental to trawl relocation for a dredging project.

**The initial response phase ended for all four states on November 3, 2010 but then re-opened for eastern and central Louisiana on December 3, 2010.


FAQs on the investigations of the ongoing dolphin die-off and the potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill on marine mammals are available.

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/cetacean_gulfofmexico2010.htm

 

[Emily]

Re: Cetacean Unusual Mortality Event in Northern Gulf of Mexico Continues

Hope a way of collecting fish for studies without collateral damage to dolphins is invented.

*This number includes 6 dolphins that were killed incidental to fish related scientific data collection and 1 dolphin killed incidental to trawl relocation for a dredging project.