Stranded Marine Wildlife

Marine wildlife occasionally washes up on beaches, particularly after stormy or windy weather. It's always advisable to be cautious and seek help if necessary.

Reporting Alive Strandings (seals, dolphins & whales)


Finding a stranded animal can be distressing. Though your first instinct may be to try to help it back into the water, you should never try to do this - they have stranded for a reason and require urgent professional medical attention.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) website has comprehensive information on what to do if you find stranded marine wildlife - click here to go to their "what to do" page.

To report stranded marine life:

British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Rescue Hotline: 01825 765546

RSPCA

Reporting Dead Strandings (seals, dolphins, whales & large sharks)

UK Cetaceans Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP)
0800 652 0333

Other Marine Wildlife

Jellyfish (and Jelly-like Creatures)

Jellyfish, Portuguese Man O Wars and By-The-Wind Sailors sometimes wash up on our beaches. Jellyfish often appear en masse in the summer; Portuguese Man O Wars occasionally make an appearance over winter, particularly if there has been windy conditions at sea. These creatures are drifters, so rely on ocean currents and wind to move around.

If you see these creatures washed up on the beach it's best not to touch. Some of them are still able to sting even if they are dead.

Goose Barnacles

Goose barnacles occasionally wash up on our shores over the winter months when the harsher weather brings flotsam to the beaches. These alien-like creatures attach to all sorts of hard surfaces including rocks, ships, ropes or flotsam floating out at sea. They're harmless (although may get a little smelly if left out in the sun!).

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