Foster information exchange and cooperation among 

 Network Participants and NMFS Representatives. 



The SEFC Stranding Network Representative System will focus 

 on three areas: (1) monitoring the stranding rate; (2) sp>ecimen 

 necropsy, collection and analyses; and (3) dissemination of 

 results . 



7 ntTT>ductorv l^f^mr^tR- Brad Brown 



The following are efforts designed to strengthen the 

 Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFC) involvement in the 

 activities of the SEUS Stranding Network: 



Improve funding for the stremding coordinator. 



Enlist and pay for veterinarians to perform necropsies. 



Assign responsible people at each laboratory to act as 

 a major link to enhance collection of stranding 

 information . 



This meeting occurred as a commitment to respond quickly to 

 major stranding events. Although the SEFC has previously 

 responded to stranding events analytically, it will become more 

 active in the SEUS Stranding Nettrork. 



SEDS stranding Hetwork! Dan Odell 



There has been a lack of coordination in the SEUS Stremding 

 Network and there is a perceived need for greater organization. 

 The network began wii-h data cards and a mailing list involving 

 Sea World and Marine Land (David and Melba Caldwell). The first 

 Marine Mammal Stranding workshop %ras in Georgia in 1977, emd was 

 sponsored by the Marine Meunmal Conoaission (MMC). In the first 

 year of the network, less than 100 stranded mammals were 

 reported, primarily Tursiops . Data increased greatly from 1978 

 to 1990. 



An individual field number is assigned to each stranded 

 marine meusmal. It should be the primary number for tracking the 

 specimen and oxir goal should be to identify a specimen with as 

 few numbers as possible. There must be a standard developed to 

 achieve iiniformity throughout the entire area. One suggestion is 

 a series of numbers %rtiere the first two are symbolic of the state 

 code, and the rest related to the area. However, it is importemt 

 to not interfere with any previous long-term systems. 



The number of strandings depends on the amount of coastline 

 in a given eurea and the number of people involved in the Net%rork. 



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