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				More Information on:
				Harbour Porpoise
				(Phocoena phocoena)
				Bottlenose Dolphin
				(Tursiops truncatus)
				Minke Whale
				(Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

	More Information on  General Ecology_____________________________________________________
	Strandings If you find a live stranded whale or dolphin, get help quickly, telephone either the SSPCA or the Strandings Coordinator.
	Do not... attempt to move the animal, Do... keep it cool by splashing sea water over the animal, being careful to avoid its blowhole. If you find a dead animal (including seals), secure the carcass or move it above the high water mark. Mark it in some way, make notes on its location with reference to maps or local features, its species, size and the number of animals. Then Telephone the Strandings Coordinator on 01463 243030.
	Pollution and the Dolphins and Whales Wherever toxic substances occur, they may be assimilated by any organism that is present. In the marine environment, many organisms feed by passing large volumes of water through their digestive systems and extracting the desired nutrients. Because cetaceans are at the top of the food chain, they can acquire high concentrations of toxins that are present in much lower levels in their prey, these toxins can be passed on to the young in their mother's milk.
	In the Moray Firth the main problems appear to come from industry and sewage. Our own untreated sewage and rubbish is continuously contaminating the Firth and other seas around the World. We all have a part to play in keeping the Moray Firth and the Seas around us clean and safe for all the animals, birds and fish which live and feed in the Oceans of the World.
	Fishing and Dolphins Dolphins, porpoises and occasionally whales can become entangled in fishing nets and drown. Worldwide, many thousands of dolphins and porpoises have died from entrapment in in nets. Minke whales have also been trapped in salmon nets and creel lines. Use of gill and monofilament nets is a real problem for cetaceans, and not only in deep waters. In 1995 a four year old dolphin was trapped in a mesh net off the village of Findochty and tragically drowned. Fishing boat skippers are now being asked by the Scottish office to report any numbers and species of accidentally caught animals.