OUTLINE FOR ENHANCING NMFS CETACEAN STRANDING DATA COLLECTION 



To foster closer cooperation between local SEUS stranding network 

 participants and NHFS Marine Maaonal Stranding Area 

 Representatives . 



To improve data collection quality, quantity, and consistency. 



To provide near real -tine reporting of cetacean stranding to the 

 NMFS. 



To provide flow of information to network participants from NMFS 

 representatives and SEUS coordinators. 



To foster information exchange and cooperation among network 

 peurticipants . 



UPWARD DATA FLOW 

 Products 



A. COMPLETED SEUS DATA - Sent to SEUS Network Coordinator 

 within 30 days of collection as specified in the NMFS Letter 

 of Agreement (LOA) . 



B. BASIC STRANDING DATA - Sent to NMFS Miami Laboratory from 

 NMFS Area Representatives within 48 hours of initial report 

 from SEUS Nettrork Coordinators (total elapsed time since 

 initial discovery will not exceed 96 hours); 



1. Field Number 



2 . Species 



3. Sex 



4. Length 



5. Yeeur, Month, Day of 1st report 



6 . State 



7. Latitude/Longitude qz zone (to be developed) 



8. Condition (1-5) 



9. Fishery Interaction (Yes fic No) 



10 . Time report 1st received by NMFS staff 



11. SEUS nettrork participant reporting to NMFS 

 representative . 



C. SPECIMENS - Collected by SEUS network participants and 

 delivered to, or picked up by, NMFS area network 

 representative (numbers in parentheses refer to specimen 

 condition) : 



1. Pathology: 



a. Necropsy reports from participating veterinary 

 clinics (1&2). 



b. Histology specimens for AFIP (1&2). 



c. Contaminants (1-4). 



d. Biotoxins (1-4). 



Charleston Laboratory is currently establishing 



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