TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL EASTERN FISH HEALTH WORKSHOP JOHN CARVER INN, PLYMOUTH, MA 30 MARCH - 2 APRIL, 1998 Marine Mammal Strandings In Southern New England, Etiology And Recent Trends J. Lawrence Dunn Staff Veterinarian, Department of Research and Veterinary Services, Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT 06355 Strandings of marine mammals in southern New England have been reported since colonial times but in recent years those involving pinnipeds have been reported with increasing frequency. This trend probably results from a number of factors including the increased public knowledge of the existence of stranding networks, the increased availability of participants in stranding networks to respond to and record such incidents as well as an increase in the population of pinnipeds in the area. Reports of cetacean strandings have also been somewhat more prevalent although there is evidence of local population declines in some species in this group. The frequency of reports of mass strandings of cetaceans has not changed dramatically in recent years although media coverage of such occurrences has increased. Theories relating to the causes of mass strandings abound, although there still is no single universally accepted theory explaining this behavior.   Return to 23rd Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop Return to Leetown Science Center Home Page