marine mammal and sea turtle standing response 2010 reportvaqf scientific report volume 2011 no. 01...

VAQF SCIENTIFIC REPORT VOLUME 2011 NO. 01

MARINE MAMMAL AND SEA TURTLE STRANDING

RESPONSE2010 GRANT REPORT

W.M. Swingle, C.M. Trapani, M.L. Cook

VIRGINIA AQUARIUM FOUNDATION STRANDING RESPONSE PROGRAM

Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response

2010 Grant Report VAQF SCIENTIFIC REPORT 2011-01

FEBRUARY 2011

A FINAL REPORT TO THE VIRGINIA COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

By

W. Mark Swingle Christina Trapani Director of Research & Conservation Assistant Stranding Response Coordinator

Margaret Cook Lynott Necropsy Specialist

Virginia Aquarium Foundation Stranding Response Program717 General Booth BoulevardVirginia Beach, Virginia 23451

This document is a fi nal grant report and has not undergone external scientifi c review. As such, the data analyses and interpretation are the opinions and views of the authors and not of the Virginia Aquarium Foundation, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or NOAA.

Suggested Citation:

Swingle, W.M., Trapani, C.M., Cook, M.L., 2011. Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response 2010 Grant Report. Final Report to the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, NOAA CZM Grant #NA09NOS4190163, Task 49. VAQF Scientifi c Report 2011-01. Virginia Beach, VA. 35 pp.

This project was funded by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant #NA09NOS4190163, Task 49 of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily refl ect the views of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, or any of its subagencies.

The mission of the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is to inspire conservation of the marine environment through education, research and sustainable practices. The Aquarium is operated by the City of Virginia Beach in cooperation with the Virginia Aquarium Foundation (VAQF) and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia Aquarium Research & Conservation Division is responsible for directing the organization’s efforts in these areas. With primary support from the VAQF, the division is dedicated to conservation of the marine environment through research, partnerships, marine animal rescue and education.

VAQF Scientifi c Report 2011-01 1

Introduction ..................................................................................................2

Stranding Response Methods .......................................................................4

Discussion of 2010 Stranding Data ..............................................................5

VAQS Activities During 2010 .....................................................................9

Summary ....................................................................................................10

Literature Cited ..........................................................................................10

Tables .........................................................................................................12

Figures........................................................................................................20

Appendix I: Professional and Education Activities ...................................28

Appendix II: Highlights of the Year - Marine Mammals ...........................32

Appendix III: Highlights of the Year - Sea Turtles ....................................33

Appendix IV: Stranding Network Datasheets............................................34

TABLE OF CONTENTS


INTRODUCTION

All marine mammals and sea turtles are designated as protected species by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972) and/or the Endangered Species Act (1973). The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation Stranding Response Program (VAQS) holds permits from state and federal authorities for all activities in this report related to marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response and research. VAQS has been responding to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings (more than 4,500) in Virginia since 1987. The Aquarium and the VAQ Marine Animal Care Center are located in Virginia Beach, VA. VAQS responds to all marine mammal strandings in Virginia and currently maintains the state marine mammal stranding database. In addition, VAQS and their cooperators coordinate the Virginia Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network throughout Virginia. Sea turtle stranding data are recorded in the VAQS database and the state sea turtle stranding database. VAQS uses staff, volunteers and other organizations (cooperators) to report, record, collect, and examine stranded animals. The organization and training of primary response cooperators is crucial to the stranding network. Rapid response to strandings can result in the rescue of live animals and the collection of valuable data that may otherwise be lost due to decomposition and/or scavenging. Formed in 1991, the VAQS Stranding Response Team (Team) is composed of staff and volunteers trained to respond to stranded animals. VAQS staff provides training programs for 65 Team volunteers and personnel from cooperating agencies and organizations. Instruction in biology, ecology and both live and dead stranding response protocols are provided for marine mammal and sea turtle species found in Virginia. These cooperative training efforts have included the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries Service (NMFS), The Nature Conservancy, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), state parks, national wildlife refuges, and regional law enforcement authorities. As a result of these continuing efforts, VAQS continues to maintain and improve statewide stranding response. Marine mammal groups found in Virginia include cetaceans (dolphins, porpoises and whales), pinnipeds (seals) and sirenians (manatees). Marine mammal strandings occur in all months of the year. During the 1990s, Virginia averaged 61 marine mammal strandings per year with a high of 105 in 1994. Since then, strandings have increased dramatically. For the years 2001-2010, Virginia has averaged 106 marine mammal strandings (Fig. 1). It is important for organizations such as VAQS to examine stranded marine mammals because these species are very diffi cult to study in the wild. Very little is known about the natural history of many marine mammal species and strandings provide a rare opportunity to thoroughly examine these animals. With the advent of new techniques such as molecular genetic analyses, stranded animals provide a wealth of information about wild populations that are diffi cult and expensive to study in situ. In some species such as pygmy/dwarf sperm whales and beaked whales, data collected from stranded animals provides the best information available on the animals’ natural history. Stranding records can indicate seasonal trends in presence and suggest areas of high concentration of marine mammal species such as bottlenose dolphins and harbor porpoises (Read and Murray, 2000). Spatial and temporal trends in marine mammal mortalities, such as those caused by unusual mortality events and/or fi sheries interactions, can also be monitored from stranding records. Each stranded marine mammal is thoroughly examined including body measurements, external appearance, and internal condition (via necropsy). Data and tissues are collected for life history, histological and toxicological studies.


Samples are collected by VAQS and supplied to the Smithsonian Institution, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, NMFS and numerous other research organizations. In addition to dead strandings, the VAQS Team responds to several live marine mammals each year. The level of response depends on the type of animal. Sick or injured baleen whales and toothed whales larger than 10 feet in length are virtually impossible to rescue and often must be humanely euthanized. Some smaller cetaceans can be rescued if found quickly and in suitable condition. They must be supported in water as soon as possible and treated for shock. Successful cetacean rehabilitation requires large tanks, experienced personnel and access to sophisticated equipment. Currently, VAQS is not equipped to attempt long-term rehabilitation of a cetacean. As soon as possible, animals that are good candidates for rehab are transferred to other facilities. Pinnipeds (seals), on the other hand, are amphibious animals and can be transported in canine kennels. The VAQ Marine Animal Care Center has a seal holding pen adequate for short-term triage and a seal rehabilitation unit capable of holding one seal. Seals in triage can be held in a 4’x 4’ dry pen with gated entry into a 4’x 4’ pool. Following triage, animals are placed in a seal rehabilitation area (large enough for one animal) or are transferred to other facilities in the stranding network that specialize in long-term rehabilitation and release of pinnipeds. Since 2001, VAQS has responded to an average of 5.1 cetaceans and 4.7 pinniped live strandings in Virginia each year. The VAQS Team also responds to live animal emergencies in northeastern North Carolina. In recent years, the number of responses to live marine mammal strandings in North Carolina has increased (8.6 per year since 2001). Five species of sea turtles (loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, green, and hawksbill) are found in Virginia. Sea turtle strandings occur primarily in the late spring, summer and fall. The VAQS Team responded to an average of 83 sea turtle strandings per year during the 1990s. Since then, strandings have increased dramatically. Since 2001, Virginia has recorded an average of 292 sea turtle strandings per year (Fig. 6). Sea turtles are examined in much the same way as marine mammals. Data are recorded for all strandings, and necropsies are performed on many fresh stranded carcasses. Stranding trends, including probable causes of mortalities, are monitored through stranding records. Stranded sea turtles are checked for fl ipper and pit tags and results are reported to NMFS. A small number of loggerhead sea turtles nest on Virginia beaches each year. In addition, several green sea turtles have been recorded nesting for the fi rst time in Virginia. The VAQS Team participates in a nesting beach monitoring program with the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Live strandings of sea turtles have also increased and the VAQS Team has successfully rehabilitated and released many of the stranded turtles. Since 2001, there have been an average of 10.4 live sea turtle strandings in Virginia each year. In addition, VAQS Team expertise in sea turtle rehabilitation has resulted in many turtles (more than 60) that have stranded outside Virginia being transferred to VAQS for rehabilitation. In addition to stranding response, VAQS conducts research on marine mammals and sea turtles. Photo-identifi cation is a non-invasive technique that takes advantage of naturally occurring marks on animals. Photo-ID is used to study both bottlenose dolphins and large whales, primarily humpback whales, in the nearshore waters of Virginia and North Carolina. VAQS has also been conducting research on loggerhead sea turtles since 1990. Early research involved the study of growth potentials of loggerhead hatchlings in controlled environments. Post-release satellite tracking of aquarium-reared loggerheads was conducted with the help of VIMS. Growth and nutritional studies continue with hatchling loggerheads and non-releasable loggerheads, Kemp’s ridleys and greens. VAQS Team staff and volunteers present the results of their research at national


and regional workshops, at professional meetings and in numerous publications (Appendix I). In addition, VAQS research has been presented to more than 12 million people through innovative Aquarium exhibits and public programs. Staff and volunteers present educational programs related to stranding events, on-going stranding response and research throughout the year. Recently, staff have been gaining valuable experience in live animal rehab by visiting and working with staff at other facilities. VAQS staff also serves on federal management and scientifi c teams studying the interactions of protected species with commercial fi sheries and other potentially threatening human activities. They regularly use their expertise and data to comment on projects that may have an effect on regional marine mammal and sea turtle populations, including a proposed naval undersea training range off Virginia’s eastern shore, and possible offshore energy exploration and development. Finally, public and private organizations conducting natural resource surveys and environmental assessments routinely utilize the VAQS stranding database and expertise for information regarding protected species in Virginia.

STRANDING RESPONSE METHODS

When examining dead stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, the VAQS Team follows data collection protocols developed by NMFS (Appendix IV). For marine mammals, Level A data are collected on all strandings and recorded in the marine mammal stranding database. Level A data include: observer date species location condition body length weight gender fi ndings of human interaction * sample collection and dissemination disposition of carcass(* Findings of human interaction consist of clues on a carcass that human activities were responsible for injuries and/or the death of the animal. The two most common types of human interactions are fi shery entanglements and vessel strikes. In addition, special data collection protocols and forms have been developed by VAQS for assessing human interactions in marine mammal and sea turtle strandings)Level B and C data are collected from fresh carcasses. Level B and C data are recorded on numerous other data sheets often provided by other research organizations. These more involved data include: age extensive body measurements descriptions and photographs of external & internal appearance parasite and pathology occurrence stomach contents reproductive status genetic information tissue contaminant levels information for specifi c research In order to provide timely, accurate and usable data, VAQS compiles these data in a database. The computer system, database and software allow for analytical study of the data including GIS mapping. When combined with the extensive VAQS photo and video catalogs,


the marine mammal stranding database can be an invaluable tool for scientists, natural resource managers and other state and federal agencies. Sea turtle data are collected in much the same manner as for marine mammals (Appendix IV). In addition to the Level A data listed above, the VAQS Team also examines sea turtle carcasses for several types of tags. PIT tags and wire tags require specialized equipment in order to be detected. Fresh turtles are examined for stomach contents, gender and fi ndings of human interaction. Live marine mammals and sea turtles have become an increasing part of stranding response for the VAQS Team. Live stranding response is quite different from responding to dead animals. While time is important when responding to a fresh dead stranding, timely response is crucial to the welfare and potential survival of live stranded animals. Once a live stranding is confi rmed, staff and volunteers can be ready to respond in minutes. Cooperating agencies, especially on Virginia’s eastern shore, have immensely improved the VAQS Team’s ability to rescue animals. Whenever possible, live stranded animals are rushed to the Marine Animal Care Center where they are immediately treated for shock and other obvious injuries. VAQS veterinary staff and the Team veterinary technician have developed protocols and data sheets for live animal response and rehabilitation. VAQS staff has established an excellent working relationship with medical diagnostic service companies and with local vet clinics that provide valuable services in the form of blood and sample analyses, radiograph support and doses of less common drugs. In addition, the medical team works with several specialized veterinarians and technicians, including eye specialists and advanced diagnostic technicians, on special cases. The VAQS Team is now experienced at working with live stranded sea turtles and seals and has gained valuable experience with live cetaceans. VAQS sea turtle rehabilitation experience was put into action during response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Three VAQS staff were deployed over a total period of more than fi ve weeks to assist sea turtle rehabilitation efforts in Louisiana and Florida (Appendix III).

DISCUSSION OF 2010 VIRGINIA STRANDING DATA

MARINE MAMMALS

VAQS stranding data are presented for the calendar year 2010. A total of 96 marine mammals stranded in Virginia during 2010 (Table 1). In the past ten years, the number of marine mammal strandings has varied from a low of 85 in 2007 to a high of 128 in 2001 (Fig. 1). The high numbers of strandings in 2001, 2003 and 2005 were accompanied by high numbers of harbor porpoise strandings (Fig. 5B). Marine mammal strandings occur in all months of the year, but some marine mammals (i.e. bottlenose dolphins, harbor porpoises and seals) tend to strand seasonally, while others (i.e. large whales and other cetaceans) can occur at any time of the year (Fig. 2). In the past ten years, bottlenose dolphins have comprised the majority of the marine mammals that strand each year. 2010 was another active year for VAQS with bottlenose dolphins comprising 59% of the strandings (Fig. 3). Marine mammal strandings occurred throughout Virginia’s ocean and bay waters. Normally, the strandings are most common along the eastern shore and southern shore of the Chesapeake Bay mouth and the southern ocean coast (Fig. 4). Pictures of some of the notable marine mammal strandings in 2010 are included in Appendix II. Marine mammals are divided into fi ve data groups for analyses. These data groups are: (1) bottlenose dolphin - the most common marine mammal in Virginia, (2) harbor porpoise - a


common small cetacean that occurs in late winter and spring, (3) large whales - primarily baleen whales such as humpback, fi n, right and minke whales, (4) other cetaceans - primarily oceanic species with low stranding rates such as pilot whales, pygmy and dwarf sperm whales, pelagic dolphins and beaked whales, and (5) pinnipeds - harbor, harp, hooded and gray seals. Live stranded animals are included in these analyses and are also addressed separately below.

Live strandings

In 2010, VAQS recorded 15 live marine mammal strandings, six of which stranded in northeastern North Carolina (Table 2). These strandings occurred throughout the year and consisted of seven seals and eight cetaceans. Seals were recovered, provided with emergency medical care and triage, and then provided with long-term rehabilitation, if needed. Two of the seals were successfully rehabilitated and released. The eight cetaceans included three Risso’s dolphins, two pilot whales, one pygmy sperm whale, and two humpback whales. All but one of the cetaceans that stranded either died on the beach or were humanely euthanized. One humpack whale was entangled in commercial fi shing gear. Unfortunately, disentanglement efforts were not successful and the fate of the whale is unknown.

Bottlenose dolphin

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are the most common marine mammals sighted in Virginia waters. They are also the most commonly stranded marine mammals in the state. Most dolphins strand from April to October, which is concurrent with their seasonal appearance in Virginia coastal waters (Barco et al. 1999; Fig. 2). During 2010, 57 bottlenose dolphin strandings were recorded in Virginia (Figure 5A). This number was much lower than 2009 when 80 dolphins were stranded, a record high number for Virginia since the 1987 dolphin mortality event. Strandings occurred primarily along the Atlantic Ocean and lower Chesapeake Bay shorelines, although they were also recovered inside the bay, as well (Fig. 4). In 2010, 33% (19) of the strandings occurred in Virginia Beach and 42% (24) occurred on the eastern shore. Gender was determined for 40 of the 57 stranded dolphins. Females comprised 33% (13) and males comprised 67% (27) of the known gender animals. Twenty one (37%) of the stranded dolphins were less than 160 cm (defi ned as “young of the year”, YOY), the approximate size of a one-year old dolphin (Fig. 5A; Urian et al. 1996). Examination of YOY has revealed evidence of infanticide in the form of broken bones, hemorrhaging and organ damage (Dunn et al. 2002). Of the dolphins that were fresh to moderately decomposed (n = 29), signs of human interaction could not be determined in 15 (52%), were positive in seven (24%), and were not observed in seven (24%). Most of the signs of interactions were related to fi sheries entanglements.

Harbor porpoise

Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) were observed only occasionally in Virginia stranding records during the 1980’s. Increases in harbor porpoise strandings occurred along the mid-Atlantic coast in 1993-1994 and the increases were most dramatic in Virginia (Cox et al. 1998, Swingle et al. 1995). In recent years, they have often been the second most commonly stranded marine mammals in Virginia. Harbor porpoises typically strand in late winter and early spring (Fig. 2), and strandings occur along the ocean shorelines (Fig. 4). During 1999, 40 harbor porpoise strandings were recorded in Virginia, but in 2000, that number dropped precipitously


to only four. 2001 was another big year (30 strandings), followed by only six harbor porpoise strandings in 2002. Subsequent years have seen the numbers vary widely, from a high of 22 strandings in 2005, to a low of six strandings 2008. There were 10 harbor porpoise strandings in Virginia in 2010 (Fig. 5B). Whether these stranding patterns relate to fl uctuations in abundance of the population or stocks, a threat that is cyclical in nature, or other factors, is not yet known.

Large whales

Large whales do not strand often in Virginia. With the exception of the sperm whale, large whales are typically baleen whales such as humpbacks or fi ns. All of the large whales normally found in Virginia are endangered species. Because of the logistics involved in examinations of large whales, an extensive large whale response protocol was developed (Blaylock et al. 1996). The protocol was developed in response to increased strandings of humpback whales in Virginia and North Carolina in the early 1990’s (Swingle et al. 1993, Barco et al. 2002). The response protocol has since been further developed and is specifi cally applied to northern right whales (McLellan et al. 2004). During 2008, there were no large whale strandings in Virginia. In 2010, VAQS responded to one humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), two minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and one unidentifi ed baleen whale strandings in Virginia, and one humpback in North Carolina. Overall, there have been 2.5 large whale strandings per year in Virginia since 2001 (Fig. 5C). In addition to strandings, VAQS also responds to large whale entanglements. VAQS staff has been qualifi ed to respond to entangled whales by the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies in MA. In addition, specialized whale disentanglement gear and supplies are stored at the VAQ Marine Animal Care Center for use in the mid-Atlantic region. This equipment and training were essential in the successful disentanglement of a humpback whale in the waters off Virginia Beach in 2007.

Other cetaceans

“Other cetacean” species generally include pelagic delphinids, Kogia species and beaked whales. This group accounted for 15 strandings during 2010. These strandings typically occur along the ocean and lower bay shorelines and sometimes involve live animals. In 2010, there were fi ve common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), four Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), one Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis), two pilot whales (Globicephala sp.), one Gervais’ beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus), and two pygmy/dwarf sperm whales (Kogia sp.). There were also three small cetaceans that were unable to be identifi ed to species.

Pinnipeds

Pinniped strandings have generally increased in Virginia since the early 1990s, and seven strandings were recorded from Virginia during 2010 (Fig. 3, 5D). The strandings were identifi ed as two harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), two gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), and three harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Regular sightings of seals in Virginia continue to be common occurrences in winter and early spring. During 2010, there was again a small number of harp seal strandings in Virginia. Harp seals are known as “ice seals” because their normal range and preferred habitats involve offshore pack ice. This raises the question – what are ice seals doing in Virginia? There are no apparent answers to this question as yet, but data being collected by the VAQS Team and others in the stranding network may help to shed light on this phenomenon.


Improved education and training of stranding network personnel have decreased the unwarranted captures of otherwise healthy seals which have hauled-out to rest on Virginia shorelines, piers, jetties and rock islands. Three seals stranded alive and one harbor seal was successfully rehabilitated and released. Seal rescue and rehabilitation efforts continue to represent signifi cant challenges for the VAQS Team and they continue to improve and gain valuable experience and expertise.

SEA TURTLES

2010 was a year of decreased levels of sea turtle strandings in Virginia (Table 3). Since 2001, Virginia has experienced both extremely high (531 in 2003) and relatively low (184 in 2010) numbers of sea turtle strandings, with an average of 292 per year (Fig. 6). The VAQS Team responded to 155 sea turtle strandings during the year and an additional 29 strandings were reported by stranding network cooperators trained by VAQS (Table 3). Cooperators’ reports are given VASC, VDGIF, and other unique numbers in the database. VASC reports originated from Chincoteague, Eastern Shore and Back Bay National Wildlife refuges, and also from Kiptopeke and False Cape State Parks. June was the busiest month with 43 strandings, but there were signifi cant numbers of strandings in May and the months of July through November, as well (Fig. 7). Loggerheads (Caretta caretta, n = 128) were the primary species recorded, followed by Kemp’s ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii, n = 33), leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea, n = 4), greens (Chelonia mydas, n = 16), and three sea turtles that were unidentifi ed to species (Fig. 8). The distribution of strandings was primarily along the ocean and lower bay shorelines (Fig. 9). The eastern shore of Virginia was the area where 38% (71) of the sea turtle strandings were found. Accomack County accounted for 9% (17) and Northampton County for 29% (53) of the total. Strandings in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and other southside cities contributed to 45% (82) of the total. The remainder 17% (31) originated from the western shores of the Chesapeake Bay north of the James River. Improved efforts by VAQS to recruit and train cooperators have greatly enhanced stranding response on the eastern shore. Externally, a number of dead stranded turtles appeared to have been hit by vessels (n = 48, 26%). In some cases, the carcasses were fresh enough to conduct thorough necropsies. Necropsies on stranded turtles sometimes reveal signs of human interaction in the form of fi sh lures, hooks and line in the gut. This fi shing equipment could be from recreational or commercial (long-line) gear and may have been actively fi shing or “ghost” gear. Further understanding the impacts that recreational and commercial fi shing have on turtles is needed. Lastly, the VAQS Team participated in several research projects with NMFS and USFWS. Flippers were collected from sea turtles for studies on aging, and skin and muscle samples were collected for genetic studies. Live turtles rehabilitated by VAQS were used in tracking studies of post-release movements. Pictures of some of the notable sea turtle strandings in 2010 are included in Appendix III.

Live strandings

2010 was another busy year for the VAQS Team with nine live sea turtle strandings from Virginia – one green, six loggerheads, one Kemp’s ridley, and one leatherback. Two of these turtles were successfully recovered, rehabilitated and released, and fi ve remained in rehab at the end of the year. In addition, 23 sea turtles (3 from NC, 2 from NJ, 17 from MA, 1 from DE) were transferred to the VAQ Marine Animal Care Center from other stranding network facilities


outside of Virginia. During the year, 13 of these sea turtles were released. Throughout the year, the VAQS Team spent many hours medicating and feeding sea turtles. Some of the sea turtles had stranded in the previous year and had been in rehab for many months prior to release. When the year ended, there were 14 sea turtles in rehab at the VAQ Marine Animal Care Center (Table 4).

VAQS ACTIVITIES DURING 2010

VAQS conducted trainings on biology, ecology and stranding response protocols for sea turtles and marine mammals during the year. Trainings were provided to Virginia Aquarium Outreach Instructors, VAQS Team volunteers and to other cooperators in the state stranding network including: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge; Virginia Beach police, animal control and beach maintenance personnel; U.S. Coast Guard; Dam Neck and other military base natural resources personnel; personnel from VMRC, VDGIF, and state parks; The Nature Conservancy and other natural resources groups. In addition, lectures were presented on the topics of marine mammal and sea turtle necropsies, new fi ndings from sea turtle research, and federal efforts to manage and protect marine mammals. VAQS staff attended numerous conferences and workshops and shared knowledge of sea turtle and marine mammal strandings in Virginia. Educational programs were presented at many local and regional festivals, to school groups and civic organizations as well as during special VAQ events. A portable exhibit was utilized showing the activities of the VAQS and the Virginia stranding network, and promoting conservation of marine animal species and their habitats. A complete list of all professional, education and training activities is included in Appendix I of this report. Grant funds were used in conjunction with funds from the Virginia Aquarium Foundation to staff the Aquarium’s Marine Animal Care Center with one full-time stranding program coordinator, one veterinary technician, one assistant coordinator/volunteer coordinator and fi ve hourly stranding technicians. The VAQS Team completed another calendar year using an on-call system developed to ensure that volunteers were available for stranding response, seven days per week, for the entire year. Created and managed by volunteer team response leaders, the on-call system greatly enhances the Team’s readiness and rapid response. VAQS Team volunteers logged more than 17,000 hours during 2010. VAQS continued several research projects that have been ongoing for many years. The 17th annual Dolphin Count was conducted in July. Bottlenose dolphins were recorded by shore-based and boat-based observers along Virginia’s ocean coast. While not a scientifi c abundance study, the results of the annual dolphin count indicate the importance of Virginia’s coastal waters as habitat for bottlenose dolphins. Photo-identifi cation research on bottlenose dolphins continued for the 21st year. The photo-ID catalog now contains more than 1250 individual dolphins, some of which are regular visitors to Virginia and have been observed in multiple years. VAQS continued to curate the Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale Photo-Identifi cation Catalog. Results of matching efforts between the mid-Atlantic catalog and others from the western North Atlantic continues to result in new data about the origin of many whales observed in our area (Barco et al. 2002). The catalog contains images from stranded and live whales observed in coastal waters from New Jersey through North Carolina. VAQS plans to continue a project working with a pound net fi sherman in the Chesapeake Bay. The study will further examine an alternate design for a pound net leader that will reduce the accidental entanglement of bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles. VAQS staff continues to conduct advanced necropsies on fresh-dead sea turtles


to investigate causes of mortalities and to determine baseline health information for regional populations. Finally, nutritional and growth studies continued with sea turtles in the Virginia Aquarium’s long-term and short-term collections.

SUMMARY

Data collected by VAQS and the Virginia stranding network continue to be critical to the long-term monitoring of sea turtle and marine mammal populations. Fresh-stranded cetaceans continue to be extensively sampled as part of a cooperative research project (involving the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Duke University and the NC State Vet School) to better assess marine mammal health. These types of studies are crucial to developing a better understanding of the overall health status of marine mammal populations in the wild. Stranding records from Virginia indicate that marine mammal strandings, particularly bottlenose dolphins, remain very high and that a signifi cant percentage of the mortalities are related to human activities such as commercial fi shing. For this reason, VAQS staff serves as expert members on three federal Take Reduction Teams to reduce the incidental mortalities of marine mammals in commercial fi shing operations. The recently enacted changes to the rules regulating pound net leaders, supported by VAQS research efforts, should reduce the incidental takes of dolphins and sea turtles. Sea turtle strandings declined dramatically in 2005-2007, but numbers then rose signifi cantly in 2008 and 2009. With numbers reduced in 2010 to their lowest levels in more than 10 years, it is hoped that management efforts informed by stranding data are beginning to reduce sea turtle mortalities. Monitoring stranding activity in 2011 should continue to provide valuable information to help understand if this decrease represents a signifi cant trend, or only a temporary change. The VAQS continues to work closely to monitor and investigate the high rates of sea turtle strandings on Virginia’s eastern shore. In addition, data collected from strandings provides excellent information on life histories of the many species of marine mammals and sea turtles that inhabit Virginia waters. Stranded animals are the only source of this type of scientifi c information for most species of marine mammals. The sei whale and True’s beaked whale strandings in 2003, the melonheaded whale strandings in 2008, and the Sowerby’s beaked whale strandings in 2009 provide excellent examples of the unique opportunities that strandings provide to study rare and previously unknown species from Virginia. The VAQS Stranding Center has increased its role in the rescue and rehabilitation of sea turtles, seals and cetaceans. The high level of live stranding responses continued in 2010, and the need for a fully functional response and rehabilitation facility is clear. VAQS is planning to continue its efforts on behalf of live stranded sea turtles and marine mammals in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina and plans are being developed for a larger and better-equipped marine animal care facility. Marine mammal and sea turtle strandings in Virginia remained at signifi cantly high levels during 2010. Though sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins were stranding in lower numbers, there remains much more work to do. Continued monitoring and reporting of these trends in strandings of protected species will be priorities for the stranding network in 2011.

LITERATURE CITED

Barco, S.G., W.M. Swingle, W.A. McLellan and D.A. Pabst. 1999. Local abundance and distribution of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the nearshore waters of Virginia Beach, VA. Marine Mammal Science 15(2):394-408.


Barco, S., McLellan, W., Allen, J., Asmutis-Silvia, R., Mallon-Day, R., Meagher, E., Pabst, D.A., Robbins, J., Seton,R., Swingle, W.M., Weinrich, M. and Clapham, P. 2002. Population identity of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, in the waters of the U.S. mid- Atlantic states. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 4(2):135-141.Blaylock, R.A., Mase, B.G. and Driscoll, C.P. 1996. Final report on the workshop to coordinate large whale stranding response in the southeast U.S. NOAA/NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Charleston Laboratory, Charleston, SC, September 1995. SEFSC Contribution MIA-96/97-43.Cox, T.M., Read, A.J., Barco, S., Evans, J., Gannon, D., Koopman, H.N., McLellan, W.A., Murray, K., Nicolas, J., Pabst, D.A., Potter, C., Swingle, W.M., Thayer, V.G., Touhey, K.M. and Westgate, A.J. 1998. Documenting the bycatch of harbor porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, in coastal gillnet fi sheries from stranded carcasses, Fishery Bulletin 96(4): 727-734.Dunn, D.G., Barco, S.G., Pabst, D.A., McLellan, W.A. 2002. Evidence for infanticide in bottlenose dolphins of the western North Atlantic. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 38(3):505-510.McLellan, W.A., Rommel, S., Moore, M. and Pabst, D.A. 2004. Right whale necropsy protocol. Contract Report to the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, Offi ce of Protected Species, National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, MD, 38 pp.Read, A.J. and K. Murray. 2002. Gross evidence of human-induced mortality in small cetaceans. U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-OPR-15. 21p.Swingle, W.M., Barco, S.G., Pitchford, T.D., McLellan, W.A. and Pabst, D.A. 1993. Appearance of juvenile humpback whales feeding in the nearshore waters of Virginia. Marine Mammal Science 9(3): 309-315.Swingle, W.M., Barco, S.G., McLellan, W.A. and Pabst, D.A. 1995. Strandings of bottlenose dolphins and harbor porpoises in Virginia (1990-1994). Proceedings of the Northeast Regional Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Network Conference, April 28-30, Riverhead, NY, 40-49.Urian, K.W., Duffi eld, D.A., Read, A.J., Wells, R.S. and Shell, E.D. 1996. Seasonality of reproduction in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Mammalogy 77(2): 394-403.


Table 1: Marine mammal strandings in Virginia during 2010, n = 96. (Data from the VAQS Marine Mammal Stranding Database) [Length=cm; * indicates estimated length, ND = no data; CBD = unknown]FIELD # DATE Species Location Latitude Longitude Condition Length SexVAQS20101001 2/25/2010 harbor porpoise Northampton 37.1023 ‐75.9439 Dead ND MVAQS20101002 3/1/2010 harp seal Northampton 37.0845 ‐75.9713 Dead ND MVAQS20101003 3/2/2010 common dolphin Accomack 37.7109 ‐75.5772 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101004 3/15/2010 harbor seal Virginia Beach 36.9072 ‐76.0930 Live ND FVAQS20101005 3/24/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.1347 ‐75.9717 Dead 180 MVAQS20101006 4/2/2010 pilot whale Portsmouth 36.8993 ‐76.3913 Live 504 MVAQS20101007 4/4/2010 common dolphin Accomack 37.8642 ‐75.3919 Dead 223 MVAQS20101008 4/4/2010 minke whale Northampton 37.4635 ‐75.6671 Dead 333 FVAQS20101009 4/6/2010 common dolphin Accomack 37.8562 ‐75.3734 Dead 203 CBDVAQS20101010 4/10/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9144 ‐76.0685 Dead 185 FVAQS20101011 4/12/2010 harbor porpoise Virginia Beach 36.8821 ‐75.9832 Dead ND FVAQS20101012 4/14/2010 harbor porpoise Virginia Beach 36.6506 ‐75.9004 Dead 111 MVAQS20101013 4/15/2010 gray seal Accomack 38.0116 ‐75.2559 Live 98 MD07976 4/18/2010 gray seal Accomack ND ND Dead 106 MVAQS20101015 4/19/2010 harbor porpoise Virginia Beach 36.5733 ‐75.8728 Dead ND MVAQS20101016 4/19/2010 harbor porpoise Virginia Beach 36.6124 ‐75.8835 Dead 123 FVAQS20101017 4/19/2010 harbor porpoise Virginia Beach 36.6066 ‐75.8812 Dead 120 MVAQS20101018 4/20/2010 harbor porpoise Virginia Beach 36.5817 ‐75.8746 Dead 122 FVAQS20101019 4/20/2010 minke whale Northampton 37.1725 ‐75.8367 Dead 310 CBDVAQS20101020 4/20/2010 unk. delphinid Northampton 37.1736 ‐75.8338 Dead 220 CBDVAQS20101021 4/25/2010 harbor porpoise Virginia Beach 36.6634 ‐75.9071 Dead 121 FVAQS20101022 4/25/2010 harbor porpoise Virginia Beach 36.8157 ‐75.9661 Dead 120 MVAQS20101023 4/28/2010 harbor porpoise Virginia Beach 36.6109 ‐75.8837 Dead 119 FVAQS20101024 4/28/2010 harp seal Accomack 37.9070 ‐75.3872 Dead 112 MVAQS20101025 5/2/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.1880 ‐75.9982 Dead 200 MVAQS20101026 5/5/2010 humpback whale Northampton 37.1968 ‐76.0405 Live ND CBDVAQS20101028 5/6/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.3982 ‐75.6996 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101029 5/6/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.4138 ‐75.6892 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101030 5/6/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.4511 ‐75.6593 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101027 5/7/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.1445 ‐75.8696 Dead 100 CBDVAQS20101031 5/8/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.0893 ‐75.9780 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101044 5/10/2010 unk. balaenopterid Accomack 37.6247 ‐75.6071 Dead 421 CBDVAQS20101014 5/13/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.1302 ‐75.9704 Dead 230 MVAQS20101032 5/14/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.3824 ‐75.7103 Dead 105 MVAQS20101033 5/15/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9464 ‐76.1158 Dead 118 FVAQS20101034 5/16/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.1243 ‐75.8900 Dead 203 CBDVAQS20101045 5/16/2010 pilot whale Accomack 37.6163 ‐75.6131 Dead 281 MVAQS20101035 5/17/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9156 ‐75.9916 Dead 217 MVAQS20101036 5/19/2010 bottlenose dolphin Hampton 37.0934 ‐76.2738 Dead 257 FVAQS20101037 5/19/2010 bottlenose dolphin Norfolk 36.9266 ‐76.1628 Dead 102 MVAQS20101038 5/20/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.1298 ‐75.9812 Dead 180 MVAQS20101039 5/21/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.1614 ‐75.9800 Dead ND MVAQS20101040 5/21/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.7613 ‐75.9496 Dead 111 MVAQS20101047 5/23/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9314 ‐76.0372 Dead 107 CBDVAQS20101041 5/24/2010 bottlenose dolphin Norfolk 36.9562 ‐76.3593 Dead 123 MVAQS20101042 5/25/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.5853 ‐75.8751 Dead 98 FVAQS20101043 5/25/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.1230 ‐75.9693 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101046 5/25/2010 bottlenose dolphin Accomack 37.9954 ‐75.2679 Dead 239 FVAQS20101048 5/25/2010 bottlenose dolphin Accomack 37.8926 ‐75.3397 Dead 315 MVAQS20101049 5/26/2010 bottlenose dolphin Middlesex 37.5919 ‐76.4310 Dead 234 MVAQS20101050 5/27/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.4493 ‐75.9730 Dead 119 MVAQS20101051 5/30/2010 bottlenose dolphin Hampton 37.0142 ‐76.2989 Dead 262 MVAQS20101052 6/11/2010 bottlenose dolphin Norfolk 36.9518 ‐76.2455 Dead 164 FVAQS20101053 6/14/2010 bottlenose dolphin Accomack 37.7374 ‐75.8272 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101054 6/15/2010 common dolphin Norfolk 36.9682 ‐76.2788 Dead 176 F


Table 1: Marine Mammal Strandings cont.

FIELD # DATE Species Location Latitude Longitude Condition Length SexVAQS20101055 6/16/2010 bottlenose dolphin Lancaster 37.6850 ‐76.3371 Dead 111 MVAQS20101056 6/17/2010 bottlenose dolphin Lancaster 37.6517 ‐76.3451 Dead 104 FVAQS20101061 6/20/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northumberland 37.6851 ‐76.3136 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101058 6/20/2010 unk. delphinid Northumberland 37.7335 ‐76.3077 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101057 6/23/2010 unk. delphinid Middlesex 37.5762 ‐76.4458 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101059 6/26/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.5806 ‐75.8740 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101060 6/26/2010 bottlenose dolphin Accomack 38.0090 ‐75.2580 Dead 120 FVAQS20101062 7/1/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.8219 ‐75.9674 Dead 108 FVAQS20101063 7/4/2010 Gervais' beaked whale Northampton 37.0843 ‐75.9732 Dead 437 FVAQS20101064 7/9/2010 unk. kogia Norfolk 36.9340 ‐76.2034 Live 137 MVAQS20101065 7/12/2010 bottlenose dolphin Isle of Wight 37.1006 ‐76.6575 Dead 263 MVAQS20101066 7/18/2010 Atlantic spotted dolphin Accomack 37.8912 ‐75.3407 Dead 218 FVAQS20101067 7/22/2010 bottlenose dolphin Newport News 37.0405 ‐76.4871 Dead 269 MVAQS20101068 7/23/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.8387 ‐75.9707 Dead 225 MVAQS20101069 7/24/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.2092 ‐76.0134 Dead 250 FVAQS20101070 7/26/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9136 ‐76.0740 Dead 112 FVAQS20101071 7/26/2010 bottlenose dolphin Matthews 37.4057 ‐76.2502 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101072 7/27/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.6534 ‐75.9019 Dead 259 MVAQS20101073 8/4/2010 unk. kogia Accomack 37.8582 ‐75.3699 Dead ND FVAQS20101074 8/14/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9044 ‐75.9886 Dead 264 MVAQS20101075 8/20/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.7391 ‐75.9407 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101076 8/26/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9264 ‐76.0031 Dead 132 MVAQS20101077 8/29/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.2883 ‐76.0158 Dead 236 MVAQS20101078 9/6/2010 bottlenose dolphin Norfolk 36.9331 ‐76.1997 Dead ND FVAQS20101079 9/6/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9052 ‐75.9840 Dead 273 MVAQS20101081 9/11/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9214 ‐76.1360 Dead 208 MVAQS20101080 9/12/2010 bottlenose dolphin Norfolk 36.9363 ‐76.2125 Dead 240 MVAQS20101082 9/17/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.0829 ‐75.9603 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101083 9/17/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.0831 ‐75.9642 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101084 9/21/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9293 ‐76.1726 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101085 10/2/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.1012 ‐75.9790 Dead ND CBDVAQS20101086 10/17/2010 Risso's dolphin Accomack 37.8914 ‐75.3506 Live 238 FVAQS20101087 10/17/2010 Risso's dolphin Accomack 37.8914 ‐75.3506 Live 208 MVAQS20101088 10/17/2010 Risso's dolphin Accomack 37.8914 ‐75.3506 Dead 178 FVAQS20101089 10/17/2010 Risso's dolphin Accomack 37.8908 ‐75.3464 Live 255 FVAQS20101090 10/21/2010 bottlenose dolphin Northampton 37.1063 ‐75.9759 Dead 146 MVAQS20101091 10/24/2010 common dolphin Accomack 37.6146 ‐75.6134 Dead 230 MVAQS20101092 10/30/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.5557 ‐75.8690 Dead 268 FVAQS20101093 11/2/2010 bottlenose dolphin Virginia Beach 36.9274 ‐76.1716 Dead 277 MVAQS20101094 11/16/2010 harbor seal Accomack 37.6729 ‐75.5926 Dead 95 MVAQS20101095 12/28/2010 harbor seal Virginia Beach 36.6937 ‐75.9228 Live 82 M


Field Num

ber

Species

Strand

Date

State

Fina

l Dispo

sition

BJP0

01ha

rbor s

eal

1/17

/201

0N

CD

ied

18 Ja

nuar

y 20

10SJ

F006

(*a)

harb

or s

eal

1/19

/201

0N

CRe

leas

ed 1

1 M

arch 2

010

from

Vir

gini

a Be

ach, V

AKL

C063

pilo

t wha

le2/

21/2

010

NC

Die

d 21

Feb

ruar

y 20

10VA

QS2

0101

004

harb

or s

eal

3/15

/201

0VA

Rele

ased

8 Ju

ne 2

010

from

Ham

pton

Bay

s, N

YKL

C077

gray s

eal

4/1/

2010

NC

Stra

nded

dea

d 24

May 2

010

VAQ

S201

0100

6pi

lot w

hale

4/2/

2010

VAEu

than

ized

2 A

pril

2010

VAQ

S201

0101

3gr

ay s

eal

4/15

/201

0VA

Euth

aniz

ed 1

5 A

pril

2010

CMT0

05 (*

a)(*

b)ha

rbor s

eal

4/28

/201

0N

CRe

leas

ed 2

5 Ju

ne 2

010

from

Cha

rles

tow

n, R

IVA

QS2

0101

026

hum

pbac

k w

hale

5/5/

2010

VAA

ttem

pted

dis

enta

ngle

men

t 5 M

ay 2

010

MD

B090

hum

pbac

k w

hale

5/15

/201

0N

CEu

than

ized

15

May 2

010

VAQ

S201

0106

4ko

gia

sp.

7/9/

2010

VAEu

than

ized

9 Ju

ly 2

010

VAQ

S201

0108

6Ri

sso'

s do

lphi

n10

/17/

2010

VAEu

than

ized

17

Oct

ober 2

010

VAQ

S201

0108

7Ri

sso'

s do

lphi

n10

/17/

2010

VAEu

than

ized

17

Oct

ober 2

010

VAQ

S201

0108

9Ri

sso'

s do

lphi

n10

/17/

2010

VAD

ied

17 O

ctob

er 2

010

VAQ

S201

0109

5ha

rbor s

eal

12/2

8/20

10VA

Rele

ased

28

Janu

ary

2011

from

Vir

gini

a Be

ach, V

A

(*a) T

rans

ferr

ed fr

om N

orth C

arol

ina

Wild

life

Reso

urce

s Co

mm

issi

on in

Cor

olla

, NC

for

reha

bilit

atio

n(*

b) T

rans

ferr

ed to

Mar

ine

Mam

mal S

tran

ding

Cen

ter

in B

riga

ntin

e, N

J for r

ehab

ilita

tion

Tabl

e 2:

Liv

e st

rand

ed m

arin

e m

amm

als h

andl

ed b

y VA

QS

in 2

010.


Table 3: Virginia sea turtle strandings recorded by VAQS and cooperators (VASC, VDGIF, VIMS, NMFS) in 2010, n=184. (Data from the VAQS Sea Turtle Stranding Database) [Length = carapace length notch to tip cm; * = estimate; ND = no data; U = unknown]

FIELD # DATE Species Location Latitude Longitude Condition Length SexVAQS20102001 1/10/2010 Kemp's ridley Norfolk 36.9648 ‐76.2679 Dead 22 UVAQS20102002 5/10/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9262 ‐76.0029 Dead ND UVAQS20102003 5/12/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1186 ‐75.8786 Dead 95 FVAQS20102004 5/19/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0844 ‐76.2732 Dead ND UVAQS20102005 5/19/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.8479 ‐75.9723 Dead 44 FVAQS20102006 5/20/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1318 ‐75.9339 Dead 118 MVAQS20102007 5/21/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.7558 ‐75.9470 Dead 34 FVAQS20102008 5/21/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.5707 ‐75.8721 Dead 28 MVAQS20102009 5/21/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7483 ‐75.9442 Dead 64 MVAQS20102012 5/21/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1467 ‐75.9835 Dead 69 UVAQS20102010 5/22/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.6321 ‐75.8915 Dead 66 UVAQS20102011 5/23/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0058 ‐76.3506 Dead 63 MVAQS20102013 5/23/2010 loggerhead Northumberland 37.7314 ‐76.3073 Dead 74 MVAQS20102014 5/24/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0530 ‐76.2846 Dead 87 UVAQS20102015 5/25/2010 loggerhead Lancaster 37.6778 ‐76.3280 Dead 70 FVAQS20102016 5/25/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.8117 ‐75.9654 Dead 87 MVAQS20102017 5/26/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.8330 ‐75.9687 Dead ND UNMFS2010May27_01 5/27/2010 leatherback Virginia Beach 36.9083 ‐75.9450 Live ND UNMFS2010May27_02 5/27/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9217 ‐76.0533 Dead 59 FVAQS20102019 5/28/2010 loggerhead Northumberland 37.9646 ‐76.4134 Dead 65 FVAQS20102020 5/28/2010 loggerhead Middlesex 37.5066 ‐76.2975 Dead ND MVAQS20102021 5/28/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0595 ‐76.2823 Dead 66 MVAQS20102018 5/29/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9024 ‐75.9878 Dead 71 UVAQS20102022 5/29/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0291 ‐76.2949 Dead 77 MVAQS20102023 5/29/2010 Kemp's ridley Hampton 37.0025 ‐76.3146 Dead ND UVAQS20102024 5/29/2010 loggerhead Gloucester 37.2506 ‐76.4762 Dead 63 MVAQS20102025 5/31/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.9054 ‐76.0372 Dead 30 FVAQS20102026 5/31/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.4861 ‐76.9617 Dead 58 UVASC20102001 6/2/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.8750 ‐75.3525 Dead 65 UVAQS20102155 6/2/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.2817 ‐76.0617 Dead ND UVDGIF2010001 6/3/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.5814 ‐75.6034 Dead ND UVDGIF2010002 6/3/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.3744 ‐75.7158 Dead ND UVDGIF2010003 6/3/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.2242 ‐75.8047 Dead ND UVAQS20102027 6/4/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1500 ‐75.9833 Dead 72 FVASC20102002 6/6/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1043 ‐75.9786 Dead 95 UVAQS20102028 6/7/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.8584 ‐75.9765 Dead 65 MVAQS20102031 6/7/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.2090 ‐76.0134 Dead 92 FVDGIF2010004 6/7/2010 unidentified Accomack 37.7266 ‐75.5674 Dead ND UVAQS20102029 6/8/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7175 ‐75.9321 Dead 66 FVAQS20102030 6/8/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7180 ‐75.9324 Dead ND MVAQS20102032 6/8/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0372 ‐76.2916 Dead 58 FVAQS20102033 6/8/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7527 ‐75.9459 Dead 57 FVIMSMT10‐06‐08‐01 6/8/2010 loggerhead Gloucester 37.2479 ‐76.5000 Dead 51 UVAQS20102034 6/9/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7447 ‐75.9427 Dead 96 FVAQS20102035 6/10/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9267 ‐76.0500 Dead 89 FVAQS20102036 6/10/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.8339 ‐75.9692 Dead 105 MVAQS20102037 6/11/2010 Kemp's ridley Hampton 37.0604 ‐76.2820 Dead 51 MVDGIF2010005 6/11/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.8632 ‐76.0033 Dead ND UVDGIF2010006 6/11/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.8707 ‐76.0072 Dead ND UVAQS20102038 6/12/2010 loggerhead Norfolk 36.9630 ‐76.2646 Dead ND FVAQS20102039 6/12/2010 loggerhead Lancaster 37.6737 ‐76.3301 Dead 59 MVASC20102003 6/12/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.8713 ‐75.4369 Dead 66 UNMFS2010June13‐01 6/13/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1433 ‐75.9833 Dead 58 MVAQS20102040 6/15/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.2194 ‐76.0335 Dead 83 UVAQS20102041 6/15/2010 leatherback Virginia Beach 36.8369 ‐75.9697 Dead ND U


Table 3: Sea Turtle Strandings cont.

FIELD # DATE Species Location Latitude Longitude Condition Length SexVASC20102004 6/15/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.0980 ‐75.9804 Dead 43 UVAQS20102042 6/16/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.2133 ‐75.0150 Dead 28 MVAQS20102045 6/17/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0027 ‐76.3144 Dead ND UVAQS20102043 6/18/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7448 ‐75.9427 Dead 75 UVAQS20102044 6/18/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7461 ‐75.9431 Dead 65 MVAQS20102046 6/19/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7339 ‐75.9386 Dead ND UVAQS20102047 6/19/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.1710 ‐75.9874 Dead 23 UVAQS20102048 6/19/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1800 ‐75.9967 Dead 63 MVAQS20102049 6/19/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.1656 ‐75.9891 Dead 28 FVAQS20102053 6/19/2010 loggerhead Northumberland 37.7408 ‐76.3100 Dead ND UVAQS20102050 6/20/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9260 ‐76.0488 Live 52 FVASC20102005 6/21/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.1009 ‐75.9410 Dead 27 FVAQS20102051 6/22/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.8706 ‐75.9797 Dead ND UVAQS20102052 6/23/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.7467 ‐75.9750 Dead 62 MVAQS20102054 6/24/2010 loggerhead Newport News 36.9844 ‐76.4391 Dead ND UVAQS20102055 6/26/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0088 ‐76.3010 Dead 99 FVAQS20102056 7/1/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.6515 ‐75.9012 Dead 63 FVAQS20102057 7/3/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9387 ‐76.0212 Dead 64 FVAQS20102058 7/4/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1167 ‐75.9680 Dead ND UVAQS20102059 7/4/2010 leatherback Northampton 37.1387 ‐75.9727 Dead ND UVAQS20102060 7/5/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1561 ‐75.9773 Dead ND FVAQS20102061 7/7/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1832 ‐75.9947 Dead 98 UVAQS20102062 7/7/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.2637 ‐76.0190 Dead 31 MVAQS20102063 7/7/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.9291 ‐76.1728 Dead 57 FVAQS20102064 7/8/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.5899 ‐75.8760 Dead 67 FVAQS20102065 7/8/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.7159 ‐75.9318 Dead 54 UVAQS20102067 7/9/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7810 ‐75.9564 Dead 92 FVAQS20102068 7/9/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7108 ‐75.9297 Dead ND UVASC20102006 7/9/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.8957 ‐75.3794 Dead 75 UVASC20102007 7/9/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.6143 ‐75.8839 Dead 72 UVAQS20102069 7/10/2010 loggerhead Norfolk 36.9061 ‐76.3055 Live 67 UVAQS20102070 7/14/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1199 ‐75.9616 Dead 91 MVAQS20102071 7/14/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1557 ‐75.9767 Dead ND UVAQS20102072 7/14/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.3724 ‐75.7158 Dead 100 MVAQS20102073 7/15/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.8683 ‐75.4401 Dead 93 UVAQS20102074 7/18/2010 loggerhead Norfolk 36.9035 ‐76.3123 Dead ND UVAQS20102066 7/21/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.1330 ‐75.9710 Dead ND UVAQS20102075 7/21/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.1662 ‐75.9873 Dead 25 UVAQS20102076 7/24/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.8577 ‐75.3906 Dead 84 FVAQS20102077 7/28/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0446 ‐76.2878 Dead ND UVASC20102008 7/28/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.8663 ‐75.4457 Dead ND UVASC20102009 7/31/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.0857 ‐75.9453 Dead ND UVAQS20102078 8/2/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7916 ‐75.9594 Dead 86 FVASC20102010 8/4/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.7871 ‐75.5273 Dead 80 UVAQS20102080 8/9/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0302 ‐76.2947 Dead 95 FVAQS20102081 8/11/2010 Kemp's ridley Norfolk 36.9666 ‐76.3108 Dead 31 FVAQS20102082 8/12/2010 loggerhead Norfolk 36.9289 ‐76.1841 Dead ND UVAQS20102083 8/13/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1942 ‐76.0067 Dead 59 FVAQS20102084 8/14/2010 loggerhead Norfolk 36.9549 ‐76.2502 Dead ND UVAQS20102085 8/14/2010 loggerhead York 37.2348 ‐76.5047 Dead 67 FVAQS20102086 8/15/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.8923 ‐75.4173 Dead 88 MVAQS20102087 8/15/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0875 ‐76.2706 Dead ND UVAQS20102088 8/17/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1918 ‐76.0029 Dead 61 FVAQS20102089 8/18/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.3828 ‐75.9854 Dead 102 FVAQS20102090 8/20/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9293 ‐76.1726 Dead 75 F



FIELD # DATE Species Location Latitude Longitude Condition Length SexVASC20102011 8/24/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.9516 ‐75.3022 Dead 106 UVAQS20102091 8/25/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9258 ‐76.0469 Dead ND FVAQS20102092 8/26/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.8030 ‐75.9627 Dead 100 MVAQS20102093 8/28/2010 green Northampton 37.2914 ‐76.0153 Dead 29 FVAQS20102094 8/29/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7704 ‐75.9528 Dead ND UVAQS20102095 8/31/2010 Kemp's ridley Norfolk 36.9685 ‐76.2822 Dead 33 FVAQS20102096 9/1/2010 unidentified Hampton 37.0072 ‐76.3076 Dead ND UVAQS20102097 9/1/2010 loggerhead Norfolk 36.9647 ‐76.2681 Dead 76 MVAQS20102079 9/2/2010 loggerhead Norfolk 36.9604 ‐76.2601 Dead ND FVAQS20102098 9/3/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9141 ‐76.0702 Dead 93 MVAQS20102099 9/4/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7965 ‐75.9610 Dead 104 MVAQS20102100 9/10/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0056 ‐76.3154 Dead ND UVAQS20102101 9/11/2010 Kemp's ridley Norfolk 36.9479 ‐76.2394 Dead ND FVAQS20102102 9/13/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.8884 ‐75.9847 Dead 101 MVAQS20102103 9/13/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.8302 ‐75.9680 Dead 99 UVAQS20102104 9/14/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.4100 ‐75.9818 Dead 107 FVAQS20102105 9/15/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.8819 ‐75.9843 Dead 81 FVAQS20102106 9/16/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0132 ‐76.3197 Dead 73 FVAQS20102107 9/16/2010 Kemp's ridley Accomack 37.5764 ‐75.9346 Dead ND UVAQS20102108 9/18/2010 green Northampton 37.1661 ‐75.9879 Dead 29 FVAQS20102109 9/18/2010 green Northampton 37.2059 ‐76.0128 Dead 22 MVAQS20102110 9/19/2010 green Northampton 37.1685 ‐75.9874 Dead 28 MVAQS20102111 9/28/2010 loggerhead Norfolk 36.9376 ‐76.2168 Dead 60 MVASC20102012 9/29/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.0945 ‐75.9809 Dead ND UVAQS20102112 9/30/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7806 ‐75.9563 Dead ND MVAQS20102113 10/1/2010 loggerhead Newport News 37.0068 ‐76.4486 Dead 72 UVAQS20102114 10/4/2010 loggerhead Norfolk 36.9685 ‐76.2895 Dead ND UVAQS20102115 10/4/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7020 ‐75.9268 Dead 48 FVAQS20102116 10/5/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.9168 ‐76.0602 Dead 25 FVASC20102013 10/8/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1009 ‐75.9790 Dead 66 FVAQS20102117 10/9/2010 green Northampton 37.1379 ‐75.9723 Dead 30 FVAQS20102118 10/11/2010 loggerhead Newport News 36.9630 ‐76.4290 Dead 69 FVAQS20102119 10/13/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.9028 ‐75.9884 Dead 47 FVAQS20102123 10/13/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.9338 ‐75.9848 Dead ND UVAQS20102120 10/16/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.9195 ‐76.0545 Dead 31 FVASC20102014 10/16/2010 green Northampton 37.1366 ‐75.9722 Dead 24 UVASC20102015 10/16/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1062 ‐75.9766 Dead 75 UVAQS20102121 10/20/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.7315 ‐75.9375 Dead 31 FVAQS20102122 10/24/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0024 ‐75.3147 Dead 65 FVAQS20102124 10/26/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.2883 ‐76.0158 Dead 83 FVAQS20102125 10/27/2010 leatherback Accomack 37.5896 ‐75.6141 Dead 168 MVAQS20102126 10/29/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.9147 ‐76.1167 Live 28 MVAQS20102127 10/30/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.2741 ‐76.0191 Dead 39 FVAQS20102128 10/30/2010 green Virginia Beach 36.9191 ‐76.0550 Dead 26 UVAQS20102129 10/30/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.0892 ‐75.9776 Dead 23 UVAQS20102130 10/30/2010 unidentified Northampton 37.0874 ‐75.9757 Dead 20 UVAQS20102131 10/31/2010 loggerhead Gloucester 37.2570 ‐76.3786 Live 69 UVAQS20102132 11/1/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.6715 ‐75.9114 Dead ND UVAQS20102133 11/2/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9136 ‐76.1127 Dead 65 FVAQS20102134 11/3/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.6701 ‐75.9107 Dead 38 UVAQS20102135 11/3/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.6267 ‐75.8892 Dead 34 FVAQS20102136 11/7/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.5612 ‐75.8697 Dead 30 MVAQS20102137 11/7/2010 Kemp's ridley Northampton 37.4777 ‐75.9626 Dead 54 MVAQS20102138 11/7/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1710 ‐75.9874 Dead 60 FVAQS20102139 11/8/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.8780 ‐75.9817 Dead 71 F


FIELD # DATE Species Location Latitude Longitude Condition Length SexVAQS20102140 11/10/2010 green Virginia Beach 36.8439 ‐75.9718 Dead 30 UVAQS20102141 11/12/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9101 ‐76.1002 Dead 70 MVAQS20102142 11/13/2010 loggerhead Hampton 37.0668 ‐76.2808 Dead ND UVAQS20102143 11/13/2010 green Norfolk 36.9370 ‐76.2153 Dead 31 UVAQS20102144 11/14/2010 Kemp's ridley Virginia Beach 36.8430 ‐75.9717 Dead 32 MVAQS20102145 11/17/2010 green Northampton 37.1833 ‐75.9833 Dead 25 UVASC20102016 11/18/2010 green Northampton 37.1310 ‐75.9705 Dead ND UVAQS20102146 11/19/2010 loggerhead Northampton 37.1062 ‐75.9766 Live 60 UVASC20102017 11/20/2010 green Northampton 37.1298 ‐75.9702 Dead ND UVDGIF2010007 11/21/2010 loggerhead Accomack 37.6696 ‐75.8460 Dead 86 UVAQS20102147 11/25/2010 green Norfolk 36.9336 ‐76.2020 Dead 26 MVAQS20102148 11/30/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.6150 ‐75.8842 Dead 75 UVAQS20102149 12/4/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.7910 ‐75.9594 Dead ND UVDGIF2010008 12/4/2010 green Northampton 37.1201 ‐75.9697 Dead 29 UVAQS20102150 12/6/2010 loggerhead Norfolk 36.9029 ‐76.3010 Live 66 UVAQS20102151 12/8/2010 green Virginia Beach 36.9188 ‐76.0557 Live 27 UVAQS20102152 12/14/2010 loggerhead Chesapeake 36.8171 ‐76.2883 Live 51 UVAQS20102153 12/15/2010 loggerhead Virginia Beach 36.9129 ‐76.0798 Dead 67 UVAQS20102154 12/29/2010 green Virginia Beach 36.5991 ‐75.8828 Dead 32 F



Table 4: Live stranded sea turtles handled by VAQS in 2010.

Field Number Species Name Strand Date State Final DispositionMMSC‐09‐113 *a Cc Jersey George 8/1/09 NJ PendingMMSC‐09‐123 *a Cc Danni Tectonic 8/29/09 NJ Released 27 September 2010 from Virginia Beach, VA ST09‐060 *b Cc Acadia 10/12/2009 MA Released 9 March 2010 from offshore NCCc‐MPP‐09‐10‐26‐01 *c Cc Pay Pal 10/26/2009 NC Released 28 Jan 2010 from offshore NCVAQS20092158 Lk Stormin' Norman 11/20/2009 VA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAST09‐069 *d Lk Ellis Island 11/25/2009 MA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAST09‐092 *d Lk Ulysses S Grant 11/28/2009 MA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAST09‐124 *d Lk Lassen Volcanic 12/4/2009 MA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAST09‐136 *d Lk Pinnacles 12/6/2009 MA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAST09‐140 *d Lk Saguaro 12/6/2009 MA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAST09‐144 *d Lk Valley Forge 12/6/2009 MA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAST09‐153 *d Lk Buck Island Reef 12/6/2009 MA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAST09‐190 *d Lk Lowell 12/10/2009 MA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAST09‐191 *d Lk Pecos 12/10/2009 MA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAST09‐241 *d Lk Yucca House 12/16/2009 MA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VACc‐MPP‐09‐12‐22‐01 *c Cc Visa 12/22/2009 NC Released 28 Jan 2010 from offshore NCCc‐FGW‐09‐12‐22‐09 *c Cc AmEx 12/22/2009 NC Released 28 Jan 2010 from offshore NCCm‐FGW‐09‐12‐22‐05 *c Cm Discover 12/22/2009 NC Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VACm‐FGW‐09‐12‐22‐06 *c Cm Mastercard 12/22/2009 NC Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAVAQS20092160 Lk Kalikimaka 12/23/2009 VA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAVAQS20092161 Cm Popsicle 12/23/2009 VA Released 15 June 2010 from Cape Charles, VAMPP‐10‐01‐21‐01 *c Cc Elmer Fudd 1/21/2010 NC Released 9 March 2010 from offshore NCNMFS2010May27_01 Dc N/A 5/27/2010 VA Entangled in pound net leader; releasedVAQS20102050 Cc N/A 6/20/2010 VA Entangled by neck in pound net leader; diedVAQS20102069 Cc Bugs 7/10/2010 VA Released 14 November 2010 from offshore NCST1024 *e Lk Wanda 10/6/2010 DE Released 9 December 2010 from Titusville, FLVAQS20102126 Lk N/A 10/29/2010 VA Boat strike, alive, euthanizedMMSC‐10‐173 *a Cm Ariel 10/30/2010 NJ Released 14 November 2010 from offshore NCVAQS20102131 Cc Spooky 10/31/2010 VA PendingST10‐129 *d Lk Galaxy 11/12/2010 MA PendingST10‐130 *d Lk Andromeda 11/12/2010 MA PendingST10‐134 *d Lk Galileo 11/13/2010 MA PendingMMSC‐10‐180 *a Cm Pumpkin 11/13/2010 NJ Released 9 December 2010 from Titusville, FLST10‐139 *d Lk Coco Loco 11/18/2010 MA PendingVAQS20102146 Cc Turkey 11/19/2010 VA PendingST10‐141 *d Lk Nacho 11/20/2010 MA PendingST10‐145 *d Lk Zapata 11/21/2010 MA PendingVAQS20102150 Cc Wellington 12/6/2010 VA PendingEBF‐10‐12‐06‐01 *c Cc Mario 12/6/2010 NC PendingWPT‐10‐12‐07‐01 *c Cc Luigi 12/7/2010 NC PendingVAQS20102151 Cm Ever Green 12/8/2010 VA PendingVAQS20102152 Cc Rudolph Montaine 12/14/2010 VA Pending

(*a) = transferred from Marine Mammal Stranding Center, Brigantine, NJ for rehabilitation(*b) = transferred from University of New England Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center, Biddeford, ME for rehabilitation(*c) = transferred from North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island, Manteo, NC for rehabilitation(*d) = transferred from New England Aquarium, Quincy, MA for rehabilitation(*e) = transferred from The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute, Nassau, DE for rehabilitation


Figure 1: Yearly frequency of marine mammal strandings in Virginia, 2001-2010.

Figure 2: Monthly frequency of marine mammal strandings in Virginia from 2010.

30

3

20

25

30

2

3

rand

ings

10

15

20

25

30

254

33

3

2

3

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1 1

25

7 8

4

7

311

9

1

4

33

15

2

3

11

2

3

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

1 1

25

7 8

4

7

311

9

1

4

33

15

2

3

11

2

3

Num

ber of Stran

dings

large whale pinniped other cetacean harbor porpoise bottlenose dolphin

0

5

10

15

20

25

30


1 1

25

7 8

4

7

311

9

1

4

33

15

2

3

11

2

3

Num

ber of Stran

dings


0

5

10

15

20

25

30


1 1

25

7 8

4

7

311

9

1

4

33

15

2

3

11

2

3

Num

ber of Stran

dings


140

100

120

140dings

60

80

100

120

140

128

108 105112

119

9285

111 10996

mbe

r of Stran

dings

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

128

108 105112

119

9285

111 10996

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

128

108 105112

119

9285

111 10996

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

128

108 105112

119

9285

111 10996

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

128

108 105112

119

9285

111 10996

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year


large whale2%

pinniped9%

large whale2%

bottlenose dolphin74%

other cetacean8%

pinniped9%

large whale2%


harbor porpoise7%

other cetacean8%

pinniped9%

large whale2%


harbor porpoise7%

other cetacean8%

pinniped9%

large whale2%


harbor porpoise7%

other cetacean8%

pinniped9%

large whale2%

bottlenose dolphin harbor porpoise other cetacean pinniped large whale


harbor porpoise7%

other cetacean8%

pinniped9%

large whale2%



harbor porpoise7%

other cetacean8%

pinniped9%

large whale2%


Figure 3: Marine mammal strandings in Virginia from 2010 (bottlenose dolphin n=57, harbor porpoise n=10, other cetaceans n=17, pinnipeds n=7, large whales n=5).


Figure 4: Location of Virginia marine mammal strandings from 2010.


30

20

25

30

ndings

10

15

20

25

30

30

19

22

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

30

6

19

8

22

9 86

810

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

30

6

19

8

22

9 86

810

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

30

6

19

8

22

9 86

810

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

30

6

19

8

22

9 86

810

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

B: Harbor porpoise

Figure 5A-B: Yearly stranding frequency for bottlenose dolphin and harbor porpoise in Virginia, 2001-2010 (YOY = young of the year).

70

8070

68

75 74

80

50

60

70

8070

68

60

75

6063

52

74

80

57

andings

20

30

40

50

60

70

8070

68

60

75

6063

52

74

80

57

26

14

22 2218

29

21

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

7068

60

75

6063

52

74

80

57

26

139

14

22 22

13

18

29

21

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

7068

60

75

6063

52

74

80

57

26

139

14

22 22

13

18

29

21

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

all dolphins YOY (<160cm)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

7068

60

75

6063

52

74

80

57

26

139

14

22 22

13

18

29

21

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year


0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

7068

60

75

6063

52

74

80

57

26

139

14

22 22

13

18

29

21

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year


A: Bottlenose dolphin


C: Large whales

12

14

8

10

12

14

6

43

andings

4

6

8

10

12

14

87

4

47

8

6

6

4

1

3

3

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

4

21

2

8

3

6 67

4

4

47

8

6

6

4

1

3

3

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

4

21

2

8

3

6 67

4

4

47

8

6

6

4

1

3

3

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

live dead

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

4

21

2

8

3

6 67

4

4

47

8

6

6

4

1

3

3

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

live dead

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

4

21

2

8

3

6 67

4

4

47

8

6

6

4

1

3

3

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

live dead

D: Pinnipeds

Figure 5 C-D: Yearly stranding frequency for large whales and pinnipeds in Virginia, 2001-2010.

4.5

5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

dings

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

3

5

3

4

3

5

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

3

5

3

2

4

2

3

2

5

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

3

5

3

2

4

2

3

0

2

5

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

3

5

3

2

4

2

3

0

2

5

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

3

5

3

2

4

2

3

0

2

5

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year


Figure 6: Yearly frequency of sea turtle strandings in Virginia, 2001-2010.

Figure 7: Monthly frequency of sea turtle strandings in Virginia from 2010.

35

40

45

6

11

20

25

30

35

40

45

5

6

5

1

1

1

3

1

1of Stran

dings

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

21

35

20

5

6

5

2

2 75

1

1

1

11

3

36

1

1

1

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

21

35

2016

1310 9

41

5

6

5

2

2 75

1

1

1

11

3

36

3

1

1

1

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45


21

35

2016

1310 9

41

5

6

5

2

2 75

1

1

1

11

3

36

3

1

1

1

Num

ber of Stran

dings

unknown green leatherback Kemp's ridley loggerhead

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45


21

35

2016

1310 9

41

5

6

5

2

2 75

1

1

1

11

3

36

3

1

1

1

Num

ber of Stran

dings

unknown green leatherback Kemp's ridley loggerhead

450

500

550

300

350

400

450

500

550

3

Strand

ings

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

387324

531

358

281253

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

387324

531

358

212 187 208

281253

184

Num

ber of Stran

dings

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

387324

531

358

212 187 208

281253

184

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

387324

531

358

212 187 208

281253

184

Num

ber of Stran

dings

Year


leatherback2%

unknown2%

Kemp's ridley

green9%

leatherback2%

unknown2%

Kemp's ridley18%

green9%

leatherback2%

unknown2%

loggerhead69%

Kemp's ridley18%

green9%

leatherback2%

unknown2%

loggerhead69%

Kemp's ridley18%

green9%

leatherback2%

unknown2%

loggerhead69%

Kemp's ridley18%

green9%

leatherback2%

unknown2%

loggerhead Kemp's ridley green leatherback unknown

loggerhead69%

Kemp's ridley18%

green9%

leatherback2%

unknown2%

loggerhead Kemp's ridley green leatherback unknown

Figure 8: Virginia sea turtle strandings recorded by VAQS from 2010.(loggerhead n=128, Kemp’s ridley n=33, green n=16, leatherback n=4, unknown n=3)


Figure 9: Location of Virginia sea turtle strandings from 2010.


Appendix I: Professional and Education Activities

Educational Activities

Name Date Attendance

Outreach Opportunities

Reptile Weekend at the VLM‐outreach 2/13 ‐2/14 500

AZA Aquarium Day 3/2/10 100

Fozzie (Pv) release 3/11/10 50

Marina Shores Boating Day 4/17/10 100

Community Day at Pungo/Blackwater Library 5/1/10 100

Earth Day at Mt. Trashmore 5/2/10 500

VAQ Annual Golf Tournament 5/12/10 100

Sandbridge Community Day 5/16/10 50

Chamber of Commerce Event 6/10/10 125

Marina Day 6/12/10 100

Booker T Washington Chesapeake Bay Day 6/14/10 150

Sea Turtle Release Cape Charles 6/15/10 150

Public Presentations

VIMS Discovery Lab ‐ Marine Mammal Talk 1/19/10 60

Boy Scout Talk 2/15/10 25

Kempsville Women's Club Talk 2/16/10 25

Blue and Gold Banquet 3/6/10 250

Old Coast Guard Station 3/15/10 15

Guest lecturer on Marine Mammals for Marine Biology course at ODU 3/18/10 50

Juvenile Detention Center ‐ Stranding Program Talk 4/1/10 16

ODU Science Alumni 4/16/10 8

Tidewater Master Naturalists 4/26/10 20

Cape Henry Rotary Club 6/23/10 30

Talk for Bottle Cap Recycling Meeting 7/16/10 30

Virginia Beach Rotary Club 8/24/10 15

Talk for Bottle Cap Recycling Kick‐off 9/29/10 20

Stranding Center Tours & Group Presentations

Local Kid's Sea Turtle Fundraiser 1/28/10 30

Knee Deep in the Chesapeake 4/27/10 25

Pound Net Observer Tour 7/1/10 6

SWAT Camp Talk 7/6/10 20

SWAT Camp Tour and Necropsy 7/7/10 20

Extreme Marine Boat Excursion 7/14/10 20

VA Aquarium Marine Mammal Teacher Training for education (talk) 7/27/10 20


Appendix I: Professional and Education Activities cont.


SWAT Camp talk 8/3/10 20

Extreme Marine Boat Excursion 8/4/10 20

Marine Mammal Institute NC Talk 8/5/10 20

Marine Mammal Institute NC Boat Excursion 8/5/10 20

Marine Mammal Institute NC Tour and Necropsy 8/5/10 20

SWAT Camp Talk 8/20/10 20

SWAT Camp Tour and Necropsy 8/20/10 20

Mentoring Young Scientists Stranding Center Tour 11/20/10 30

Knee Deep in the Chesapeake 12/1/10 25

Training Opportunities


Stranding Response Team and Cooperator Trainings

Live seal Hands on Training 1/9‐15/2010 50

Stranding Team Annual Business Meeting 3/6/09 50

Stranding Team Annual Volunteer and Cooperator Social 3/6/09 115

Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge Training 5/18/10 10

Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Natural History Training 5/19/10 55

Sea Turtle Hands on Response Training 5/19 ‐ 25/2010 50

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Training 5/27/10 20

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Training 6/24/10 20

Dolphin Count Training 7/29/10 38

Live Seal Training 12/11‐12/18 50

Live Seal Training for NC Stranding Network 12/15/10 20

Other

National Stranding Conference steering committee Nov 2009‐April 2010 15

Staff Trip to Audubon Nature Institute, LA, for Sea Turtle / Oil Spill Help 6/27 ‐ 7/10

Staff Trip to Gulf World Marine Park, FL, for Sea Turtle / Oil Spill Help July ‐ August

Dolphin Count 7/31/10 75

Smithsonian Kb and Sf necropsy 8/23/10 11

Gulf Trip presentation to VAQ Research and Conservation Committee 8/26/10 12

Gulf Trip presentation to VAQ staff 9/8/10 40

Gulf Trip presentation to VAQ Foundation Board 9/17/10 20

Gulf Trip presentation to VAQ President's Circle 11/30/10 15



Scientific Conferences, Professional Meetings and Workshops

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission – Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program, Bycatch Prioritization Committee (conference call and webinar), January 21 North American Veterinary Conference, January 16 ‐ 20, Orlando, FL Virginia Sea Grant Project Participants' Symposium, January 27, Richmond, VA North Carolina Outer Banks Stranding Network Meeting, February 5‐7, Corolla, NC Virginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries State Grants Meeting, February 26, Richmond, VA Association of Zoos & Aquariums Mid‐Year Meeting, March 1‐5, Virginia Beach, VA Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program Planning Meeting, March 24, Richmond, VA Southeast and Mid‐Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium, March 26‐28, Virginia Beach, VA National Marine Animal Health and Stranding Network Conference, April 6‐9, Shepherdstown, WV Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums Annual Meeting, April 10‐13, Alexandria, VA International Whaling Commission Large Whale Workshop, April 13‐16, Maui, HI Northeast Region Stranding Network Conference, May 6‐9, Bar Harbor, ME Virginia Offshore Wind Regulatory Advisory Panel Meetings, June‐August, Richmond, VA VA CZM Ocean Policy Team – Marine Debris Subcommittee, June 17, Gloucester Pt., VA SeaBass‐Marine Bioacoustics Summer School, June 20‐25, State College, PA Association of Zoos & Aquariums Annual Conference, September 13‐16, Houston, TX Georgia Southern University Faculty & Student Seminar, October 25, Statesboro, GA N. Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Annual Meeting, November 3‐5, New Bedford, MA Sea Turtle Health Conference, December 4‐5, Marathon, FL Prescott Stranding Grant Program Peer Review Panel, December 6‐10, St. Petersburg, FL Virginia Coastal Partners Workshop, December 7‐9, Richmond, VA

Scientific Publications and Presentations Barco, S.G., Trapani, C.M. 2010. Eastern Shore Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Surveys. Final Contract Report to VDGIF, Contract # 2009 – 11824. VAQF Scientific Report 2010‐03, 48 pp. Barco, S.G., D’Eri, L.R., Walton, W.J., Woodward, B.L., Winn, J.P., Rotstein, D.S., Swingle, W.M., 2010. Beware of High Performance Fishing Twine: Entanglement of a Bottlenose Dolphin and Experimental Modeling. Oral Presentation at the Northeast Region Stranding Network Conference, May 8, 2010, Bar Harbor, ME. Davis, S.J., Walton, W.J., D’Eri, L.R., Trapani, C.M., Barco, S.G. 2010. Comprehensive Sea Turtle Health Assessments on Live Sea Turtles. Final Contract Report to VDGIF, Contract # 2009 – 11563. VAQF Scientific Report 2010‐05, 26 pp. Davis, S.J., Walton, W.J., Schuder, J.P. A Holistic Approach to Rehabilitation: Use of Complementary and Alternative Practices with Stranded Sea Turtles and Pinnipeds at the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Center. Oral Presentation at the Northeast Region Stranding Network Conference, May 8, 2010, Bar Harbor, ME. D’Eri, L.R., Trapani, C.M., Walton, W.J. 2010. Treating a Boat Strike Loggerhead with Buoyancy Issues and Paralysis: The Challenges and The Future. Oral Presentation to Sea Turtle Health Conference, December 4‐5, Marathon, Florida.



Scientific Publications and Presentations Cont. Lynott, M.C., Barco, S.G., Swingle, W.M. 2010. Supporting Expert Response to Stranded Marine Mammals in Virginia. Final Report to NOAA Fisheries, John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, Award #NA08NMF4390590, VAQF Scientific Report 2010‐02, 152 pp. Lynott, M.C., Rotstein, D.S., Walton, W.J., D’Eri, L.R., Barco, S.G. 2010. Traumatic Injuries in a Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Calf Suggesting Infanticide Continuing in Virginia. Poster Presentation to National Marine Animal Health and Stranding Network Conference, April 6‐9, Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Swingle, W.M., Trapani, C.M., Cook, M.L. 2010. Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response, 2009 Grant Report. Final Report to the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, NOAA CZM Grant #NA08NOS4190466, Task 49. VAQF Scientific Report 2010‐01, 37 pp. Swingle, Mark, Barco, Susan, Walton, Wendy, Williams, Sea Rogers. 2010. Developing Recommendations for Humane Euthanasia of Stranded Cetaceans. Oral Presentation to Northeast Region Stranding Network Conference, May 6‐9, Bar Harbor, Maine. Trapani, C.M., Davis, S.J., Lynott, M.C., D’Eri, L.R., Lockhart, G.G., Wright, L.J., Mallette, S.J., Barco, S.G. 2010. Detailed Necropsy and Tissue Analysis on Fresh Dead Sea Turtle Carcasses. Final Contract Report to VDGIF, Contract # 2009 – 11564. VAQF Scientific Report 2010‐04, 124 pp. Trapani, C.M., D’Eri, L.R. 2010. Traumatic Entanglement Injuries in Sea Turtles: Using What We Learned From One Entanglement to Proactively Treat the Injuries of Another. Oral Presentation to Sea Turtle Health Conference, December 4‐5, Marathon, Florida. Trapani, C.M., Stacy, B., Barco, S.G. 2010. A Fisheries Related Sea Turtle Unusual Mortality Event in Northampton County, Virginia: A Report of Stranding Activity, Necropsy Findings and Area Fishing Efforts. Oral Presentation to National Marine Animal Health and Stranding Network Conference, April 6‐9, Shepherdstown, West Virginia.


Appendix II: Highlights of the year - Marine Mammals

On March 27th, VAQS received a report of a very large seal by the Litt le Island Fishing Pier in Virginia Beach. Staff responded and reported an adult gray seal, about 300 pounds, very thin and lethargic. The event turned into a multi -state monitoring eff ort as “Gonzo” travelled south to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. With the advice and support of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in NJ and NOAA Fisheries SER, two att empts by staff from VAQS and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) were made to capture the animal for rehabilitati on at MMSC. Stranding staff were overpowered by this determined male and the decision was made to leave the animal alone. Gonzo remained on the Outer Banks for several weeks, spending mornings and evenings on the beach, and returning to the ocean during the day. When Gonzo disappeared for almost a month, it was assumed that he was heading back north. Unfortunately, the gray seal washed up dead in Corolla, NC on May 24th. VAQS worked with NCWRC to perform the necropsy.

Live cetacean strandings in Virginia occur throughout the year. VAQS also occasionally assists with live cetacean strandings on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In 2010, VAQS responded to several species of cetacean including two pilot whales, two humpback whales (one att empted disentanglement), three Risso’s dolphins (a mass stranding of four, one was dead on arrival, photo on left ) and a Kogia (sp?) calf (photo on right). Live stranded cetaceans are almost always injured or ill and rarely make good candidates for rehabilitati on. When rehabilitati on is not an opti on, animals are humanely euthanized. Such animals provide a wealth of scienti fi c data about their life histories and possible causes of strandings. This informati on can then be used to further marine mammal conservati on eff orts.


Appendix III: Highlights of the year - Sea Turtles

VAQS was able to send three staff members to the Gulf coast to assist with sea turtle rehab during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. One staff person spent almost two weeks in Louisiana at the Audubon Nature Insti tute’s Aquarium of the Americas where over 100 sea turtles were being cared for. Three staff members were also sent to Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, FL where over 100 turtles were admitt ed and treated. While the event was tragic, it provided opportunity for VAQS staff to work with multi ple veterinarians and technicians and gain experience in sea turtle rehabilitati on as well as emergency oil spill response.

VAQS has become a respected and well known sea turtle rehabilitati on facility. 2010 was our busiest year to date for live sea turtle rehab with 41 animals spending ti me in our Marine Animal Care Center. Animals came from fi ve diff erent states: Maine, Massachusett es, New Jersey, Delaware and North Carolina, and included three diff erent species: loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley and green sea turtles. Some animals were transported to NC for off shore releases into the Gulf Stream, while many animals were released into Chesapeake Bay and the Atlanti c Ocean during the warmer months. As we enter 2011, 14 turtles are sti ll in rehab at VAQS, awaiti ng warmer waters.


MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING REPORT - LEVEL A DATA

FIELD #: __________________________ NMFS REGIONAL #: _____________________________ NATIONAL DATABASE#: __________________________________ (NMFS USE) (NMFS USE) COMMON NAME: _______________________________ GENUS: _______________________________ SPECIES: ___________________________________________ EXAMINER Name: ________________________________________________ Affiliation: _________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________________________ Stranding Agreement or Authority: ________________________________________________________________________________________________

LOCATION OF INITIAL OBSERVATION State: _______ County: _____________________

City: _____________________________________

Body of Water: ____________________________

Locality Details: ____________________________

_________________________________________

Lat (DD): ________ . _____________________ N Long (DD): ________ . ___________________ W

□ Actual □ Estimated How Determined: (check ONE) □ GPS □ Map □ Internet/Software

INITIAL OBSERVATION

Date: Year: _______ Month: ____________ Day: _______________ First Observed: □ Beach or Land □ Floating □ Swimming

CONDITION AT INITIAL OBSERVATION (Check ONE) □ 1. Alive □ 4. Advanced Decomposition □ 2. Fresh dead □ 5. Mummified/Skeletal □ 3. Moderate decomposition □ 6. Condition Unknown

INITIAL LIVE ANIMAL DISPOSITION (Check one or more) □ 1. Left at Site □ 6. Euthanized at Site □ 2. Immediate Release at Site □ 7. Transferred to Rehabilitation: □ 3. Relocated Date: Year:______ Month:_____Day:___

Facility:___________________________ □ 4. Disentangled □ 8. Died during Transport □ 5. Died at Site □ 9. Euthanized during Transport □ 10. Other:____________________________________________________ CONDITION/DETERMINATION (Check one or more) □ 1. Sick 7. Location Hazardous □ 2. Injured □ a. To animal □ 3. Out of Habitat □ b. To public □ 4. Deemed Releasable □ 8. Unknown/CBD □ 5. Abandoned/Orphaned □ 9.Other__________________ □ 6. Inaccessible __________________________ TAG DATA Tags Were: Present at Time of Stranding (Pre-existing): □ YES □ NO Applied during Stranding Response: □ YES □ NO ID# Color Type Placement* Applied Present (Circle ONE)

D DF L □ □ _________________________ LF LR RF RR

D DF L □ □ _________________________ LF LR RF RR D DF L □ □ _________________________ LF LR RF RR * D= Dorsal; DF= Dorsal Fin; L= Lateral Body LF= Left Front; LR= Left Rear; RF= Right Front; RR= Right Rear

CARCASS STATUS (Check one or more) □ 1. Left at Site □ 4. Towed: Lat__________Long__________ □ 7. Landfill □ 2. Buried □ 5. Sunk: Lat__________Long__________ □ 8. Unknown □ 3. Rendered □ 6. Frozen for Later Examination □ 9. Other______________

SPECIMEN DISPOSITION (Check one or more)□ 1. Scientific collection □ 2. Educational collection □ 3. Other:__________________________________________________________

Comments: __________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

NECROPSIED □ NO □ YES □ Limited □ Complete □ Carcass Fresh □ Carcass Frozen/Thawed

NECROPSIED BY: ____________________________________________________ Date: Year: ______________Month:_______________Day:__________________

MORPHOLOGICAL DATA SEX (Check ONE) AGE CLASS (Check ONE)□ 1. Male □ 1. Adult □ 4. Pup/Calf □ 2. Female □ 2. Subadult □ 5. Unknown □ 3. Unknown □ 3. Yearling □ Whole Carcass □ Partial Carcass Straight length:______________ □ cm □ in □ actual □ estimated Weight:____________________ □ kg □ lb □ actual □ estimated PHOTOS/VIDEOS TAKEN: □ YES □ NO Photo/Video Disposition: ________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

LEVEL A EXAMINATION □ Not Able to Examine Date: Year: _______ Month: ____________ Day: _______________

CONDITION AT EXAMINATION (Check ONE) □ 1. Alive □ 4. Advanced Decomposition □ 2. Fresh dead □ 5. Mummified/Skeletal □ 3. Moderate decomposition □ 6. Unknown

OCURRENCE DETAILS □ Restrand GE# ____________________ Group Event: □ YES □ NO (NMFS Use) If Yes, Type: □ Cow/Calf Pair □ Mass Stranding # Animals: _______ □ Actual □ Estimated

Findings of Human Interaction: □ YES □ NO □ Could Not Be Determined (CBD) If Yes, Choose one or more: □ 1. Boat Collision □ 2. Shot □ 3. Fishery Interaction □ 4. Other Human Interaction:_____________________________________________________________________How Determined (Check one or more): □ External Exam □ Internal Exam □ Necropsy □ Other: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Gear Collected? □ YES □ NO Gear Disposition: _____________________________________________________Other Findings Upon Level A: □ YES □ NO □ Could Not Be Determined (CBD) If Yes, Choose one or more: □ 1. Illness □ 2. Injury □ 3. Pregnant □ 4.Other:____________________________ How Determined (Check one or more): □ External Exam □ Internal Exam □ Necropsy □ Other: __________________________________________________________________________

NOAA Form 89-864 (rev. 2007) OMB No.0648-0178; Expires 10/31/2010 PLEASE USE THE BACK SIDE OF THIS FORM FOR ADDITIONAL REMARKS

VAQS2010

Virginia Aquarium Stranding

717 General Booth Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-437-6159Virginia Aquarium Stranding

2010 2010

2010

Appendix IV: Stranding Network Datasheets

A: Marine Mammal Level A Datasheet


B: Sea Turtle Level A Datasheet

SEA TURTLE STRANDING AND SALVAGE NETWORK – STRANDING REPORTOBSERVER’S NAME / ADDRESS / PHONE: First ___________________ M.I.____ Last ___________________________ Affiliation _Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program _________Address _717 General Booth Blvd. ________________________________ _Virginia Beach, VA 23451 _______________________________Area code/Phone number 757 437-6159______________________________

STRANDING DATE: Year 2010 Month DayTurtle number by day VAQS2010________________________-State coordinator must be notified within 24 hrs; this was done by phone (757)437-6159

email fax (757)437-4933

STRANDING LOCATION: Offshore (Atlantic or Gulf beach) Inshore (bay, river, sound, inlet, etc)State _____________________________ County_________________________________Descriptive location (be specific)_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Latitude ____________________________ Longitude _____________________________

SPECIES: (check one) CC = Loggerhead CM = Green DC = Leatherback EI = Hawksbill LK = Kemp’s Ridley LO = Olive Ridley UN = Unidentified

Check Unidentified if not positive. Do Not Guess.

Carcass necropsied? Yes NoNecropsied by________________ Photos taken? Yes NoSpecies verified by state coordinator?

Yes No SEX:

Undetermined Female Male

Does tail extend beyond carapace? Yes; how far?_______ cm / in No

How was sex determined? Necropsy Tail length (adult only)

CONDITION: (check one) 0 = Alive 1 = Fresh dead 2 = Moderately decomposed 3 = Severely decomposed 4 = Dried carcass 5 = Skeleton, bones only

TAGS: Contact state coordinator before disposing of any tagged animal!!Checked for flipper tags? Yes No Check all 4 flippers. If found, record tag number(s) / tag location / return address__________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ PIT tag scan? Yes No If found, record number / tag location__________________________________ __________________________________ Coded wire tag scan? Yes No If positive response, record location (flipper)__________________________________ Checked for living tag? Yes No If found, record location (scute number & side)__________________________________

CARAPACE MEASUREMENTS: (see drawing)Using calipers Circle unit Straight length (NOTCH-TIP) _________ cm / in Minimum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) _________ cm / in Straight width (Widest Point) _________ cm / inUsing non-metal measuring tape Circle unit Curved length (NOTCH–TIP) _________ cm / in Minimum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) _________ cm / in Curved width (Widest Point) _________ cm / in Circle unit Weight actual / est. _________ kg / lb

FINAL DISPOSITION: (check ) 1 = Left on beach where found; painted? Yes* No(5)2 = Buried: on beach / off beach;

carcass painted before buried? Yes* No 3 = Salvaged: all / part(s), what/why? _________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

4 = Pulled up on beach/dune; painted? Yes* No 6 = Alive, released 7 = Alive, taken to rehab. facility, where? ____________

________________________________________________8 = Left floating, not recovered; painted? Yes* No9 = Disposition unknown, explain __________________

________________________________________________*If painted, what color? ____________________________

Mark wounds / abnormalities on diagrams at left and describe below (note tar or oil, gear or debris entanglement, propeller damage, epibiota, papillomas, emaciation, etc.). Please note if no wounds / abnormalities are found.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Genetics sent________Flipper(s) sent___________ HI Form? Y / N

marine mammal and sea turtle standing response 2010 reportvaqf scientific report volume 2011 no. 01...

Documents