What can you do?

If you see the carcass of a marine mammal or a turtle, or a live dolphin or turtle, the best thing to do is to inform MUMM as quickly as possible:

Observations of live marine mammals can be reported to MUMM: dolphin@mumm.ac.be.

Fishermen sometimes report the matter if birds or marine mammals have become caught up in their nets. These reports are treated with complete discretion where necessary.

If you find a live seal in distress (ill, weak, wounded), you can report this directly to Sea Life Blankenberge. They are responsible for the rehabilitation of these seals.

A seal on the beach does not necessarily need assistance. Healthy animals look for a place to rest in the daytime. Common seals are born on sand banks or beaches. If you see a clearly healthy seal, the first thing is to make sure that you do not disturb the animal. Observe it from a distance.

During the summer months, young and weak common seals may be washed ashore along the Belgian coast. Without human intervention, these animals would not survive. A small seal in distress looks thin and lifeless. It can be approached relatively easily. In a situation like this, follow these rules:

1. Do not cause any unnecessary stress. Allow the animal to come ashore and make sure members of the public keep their distance;
2. Do not touch the animal. It may bite and transmit germs to humans;
3. Inform Sea Life Blankenberge.

Cooperation

MUMM is assisted in its work of gathering data and recovering carcasses by numerous volunteers, the municipal services and the Opvangcentrum voor Vogels en Wilde Dieren in Ostend. Research on sea birds (breeding colonies, stranded birds and birds at sea) is undertaken primarily by the Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek. The University of Liège carries out autopsies on birds and marine mammals. The University of Liège and the Free University of Brussels (VUB) carry out research on the levels of contaminating substances.

 Specific examples