Science and conservation in whale strandings: the role of the public authorities
1997
Jacques, T.G. (Royal Belgian Inst. of Natural Sciences, Bruxelles (Belgium). Management Unit of the North Sea and Scheldt Estuary Mathematical Models)
Whale strandings convey a great deal of information on the complex factors that affect the survival of cetacean species. International law protects cetaceans, and governments have committed themselves to conserve populations, to support research and to organise the scientific response to stranding events. In Belgium, a number of research units, public services and volunteers have been organized into an intervention network to deal with stranded animals. The practical difficulties are many and can only be overcome through good co-ordination, rapid response and full co-operation of experts in various fields. Though much progress has been achieved in the right direction, many problems remain to be solved. As was made obvious with the stranding of four sperm whales on the Belgian coast in 1994, mass stranding and the stranding of massive whales on amenity shores can only be dealt with using the standard techniques of disaster management.
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