Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme Monitors Marine Life Health
The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), based at the University of Glasgow, is dedicated to researching and reporting on stranded marine animals in Scotland, including cetaceans, pinnipeds, marine turtles, and large sharks. Established in 1992, SMASS collects long-term data on stranding events and conducts post-mortem examinations to assess the health of marine populations and identify potential threats.
What Does SMASS Do?
SMASS serves as a crucial resource for understanding the health of marine ecosystems. By investigating strandings, the scheme gathers essential baseline data used to detect disease outbreaks, unusual mortality events, and the impact of human activities on marine mammals. This data informs assessments of population dynamics and responses to environmental stressors.
Collaboration and Data Sharing
The data collected by SMASS is made available to collaborators worldwide, particularly within the University of Glasgow. The scheme maintains a unique archive of samples and information spanning over two decades of continuous research. Researchers interested in collaborating can contact SMASS via reports@strandings.org.
SMASS Team
The SMASS team includes:
- Dr. Andrew Brownlow (Director)
- Mariel ten Doeschate (Data manager)
- Nick Davison (Strandings coordinator)
- Claire Bowie (Administrative assistant)
The team also includes PhD researchers: Mariel ten Doeschate, Rachel Lennon, Ellie MacLennan, and Anna Kebke.
Funding and Support
A recent project undertaken by SMASS was supported by the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) using the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund managed by NatureScot.
Reporting Strandings
Individuals can report strandings through the SMASS website. The website also provides access to a database of stranding events.
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