Strandings of sea birds and marine mammals on the Belgian coast

Contrary to popular belief, the southern North Sea forms part of the natural habitat of marine mammals such as the porpoise (a small type of dolphin), the common seal and the grey seal. These marine mammals, as well as sea birds, can teach us a great deal about the state of health of the North Sea.

MUMM coordinates the research of sea birds and sea mammals that end up on our beaches or are found at sea or caught by mistake. MUMM makes sure that the carcasses of stranded marine mammals are made available for scientific research. Examining carcasses can reveal the problems facing these groups of animals. Such problems include pollution by oil, pesticides, heavy metals and PCBs, overfishing and animals being caught up in fishing nets. MUMM has equipment to transport live stranded dolphins. These animals are transferred to specialised rehabilitation centres where they are cared for and later released again.

MUMM keeps a database containing up-to-date details of seals, whales and turtles observed and stranded. This database goes back to the middle ages, with some historical data on stranded whales. Information on observations and stranded sea mammals is important to determine the population these animals and how they are developing.

 What can you do?

 Specific examples

 Strandings and sightings database