Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme

Description

The aim of the project is to provide a coordinated approach to the surveillance of cetacean, seal, sharks and marine turtle strandings, and to investigate causes of death of stranded animals in Scotland. Where required, efforts should be made to expand and develop the established volunteer network to improve reporting and strandings investigations. Lot 1: The Scottish Marine Strandings Scheme (SMASS) has been in operation since 1992, with principal aim of providing a coordinated approach to the surveillance of cetacean, seal, shark and marine turtle strandings, and to investigate major causes of death of stranded animals in Scotland. Along with undertaking these investigations, SMASS maintains an online database of stranding events as well as hosting annual and end of contract reports on their website. Archived tissue samples from strandings attended by the SMASS team or members of the volunteer network are also stored and managed under the SMASS programme. The data collected is used to inform reporting commitments under statutory obligations (e.g. UK Marine Strategy, OSPAR, ICES).