The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released a report on dolphin deaths in the mid-Atlantic region. Unusual Mortality Event (UME) has been declared for bottlenose dolphins in the Mid-Atlantic region from early July 2013 through August.
According to NOAA Fisheries division, a UME is “a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate response.”
Current bottlenose dolphin strandings are over seven times the historical average for the month of July for this Region. All age classes of bottlenose dolphins are involved and strandings range from a few live animals to mostly dead animals with many very decomposed.
It is unknown if any dolphins from the Northern North Carolina Estuarine System are included, as these dolphins can be found off the Virginia coast during summer.
Issue date: August 16–29, 2013
