Factors driving patterns and trends in strandings of small cetaceans

摘要: The incidence of cetacean strandings is expected to depend on a combination factors, including the distribution and abundance cetaceans, their prey, causes mortality (e.g. natural, fishery bycatch), as well currents winds which affect whether carcasses reach shore. We investigated spatiotemporal patterns trends in numbers three species small Galicia (NW Spain) relationships with meteorological, oceanographic, prey fishing-related variables, aiming disentangle relationship that may exist between these off coast. Strandings 1166 common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), 118 bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) 90 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) during 2000–2013 were analysed. Generalised additive generalised additive-mixed model results showed variables best explained pattern those related local ocean meteorology (strength direction North–South component number days South-West winds) winter North Atlantic Oscillation Index. There no significant indices fishing effort or landings. Only dolphin possible fluctuations over study period. was evidence long-term any abundances were, therefore, considered have been relatively stable