Cape Hatteras National Seashore marine mammal strandings and seal sightings: 2018 summary
Doshkov P. 2019. Cape Hatteras National Seashore marine mammal strandings and seal sightings: 2018 summary. National Park Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Manteo, NC
Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore), located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, experiences a high number of marine mammal strandings each year. This includes cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), pinnipeds (seals), and on rare occasions sirenians (manatees). In 2018, 38 strandings were documented, which is below the 10-year average of 52 strandings. Seven species were stranded, the majority of which were bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Most strandings occurred on Hatteras Island. Nine animals were live stranded, which is higher than the typical two to three animals, and most notably included three beaked whales (Mesoplodon spp.) and a short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus). Of those nine animals, four were euthanized, three were pushed back into the ocean by members of the general public, and two died on their own. Given its proximity to the continental shelf, the Seashore continues to be the most likely location of marine mammal strandings, accounting for 56% of all animals on the Outer Banks and 33% of all North Carolina strandings. Two animals were documented as having human interaction lesions; the lesions on both animals suggested fisheries interactions.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Doshkov, Paul
- Date of Issue
- 2019-11
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- Units
- CAHA
- Keywords
- marine mammal monitoring, marine mammal strandings, marine mammals
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals