Dear colleagues, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of a new article: Large amounts of marine debris found in sperm whales stranded along the North Sea coast in early 2016 Bianca Unger, Elisa L. Bravo Rebolledo, Rob Deaville, Andrea Gröne, Lonneke L. IJsseldijk, Mardik F. Leopold, Ursula Siebert, Jérôme Spitz, Peter Wohlsein, Helena Herr
Abstract: 30 sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) stranded along the coasts of the North Sea between January and February 2016. The gastro-intestinal tracts of 22 of the carcasses were investigated. Marine debris including netting, ropes, foils, packaging material and a part of a car were found in nine of the 22 individuals. Here we provide details about the findings and consequences for the animals. While none of the items was responsible for the death of the animal, the findings demonstrate the high level of exposure to marine debris and associated risks for large predators, such as the sperm whale. The full article is available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.08.027 or email me directly for a PDF copy bianca.un...@tiho-hannover.de<mailto:bianca.un...@tiho-hannover.de> Best, Bianca -- Bianca Unger Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation
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