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Effects of contaminants on reproduction, Phase II

The research undertaken by this study has important implications for conservation of both these species in the ASCOBANS area. This project will contribute to:

- ASCOBANS Conservation and Management Plan
2. Surveys and Research
3. Use of by-catches and strandings

- ASCOBANS Triennium Work Plan 2010-2012
2. Continue to review […] new information on pollution and its effects on small cetaceans which occur in the ASCOBANS area and, on the basis of this review, provide recommendations to Parties and other relevant authorities
4. Review new information on cetacean population size, distribution, structure, and causes of mortality in the ASCOBANS area and based on implications for conservation to make
appropriate recommendations to Parties and other relevant authorities

- ASCOBANS Conservation Plan for Harbour Porpoises in the North Sea
Action 10. Investigation of the health […] of harbour porpoises in the region. To collect fundamental information the question of human activities (other than bycatch) including contaminants […] for input into population dynamics modelling

Information on the effects of contaminants on reproduction in small cetaceans
- Implications for conservation of both these species in the ASCOBANS area: If the results identify that contaminants have an adverse effect on individual reproductive capabilities, both species would be more vulnerable to exploitation, especially from other anthropogenic activities such as incidental capture, and would not necessarily recover from exploitation in a predictable way.

Production of a scientific paper for peer review on “Assessing the direct and indirect effects of contaminants on female reproductive activity in UK harbour porpoises”

Production of a scientific paper for peer review on “The prevalence of reproductive abnormalities in small cetaceans, and association with pollutants”

Production of the final report from Phase II

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Activity 1

Description:Analysis of histological slides processed during Phase I of suspected abnormalities in D. delphis ovaries (1 week)
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Activity 2

Description:Detailed analysis of all additional available P. phocoena ovarian material (n ~ 50) with corresponding contaminant data. Laboratory analysis includes gross examination of gonads, sectioning of ovaries, counting all corpora scars, and where required histol
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Activity 3

Description:Assessment of reproductive abnormalities in all P. Phocoena ovaries. Laboratory work will include gross and histopathological analysis of ovarian material (4 weeks)
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Activity 4

Description:Where data gaps exist, analysis of teeth samples from P. Phocoena for age determination (2.5 days)
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Activity 5

Description:Statistical analysis will be undertaken incorporating age, reproductive, contaminant, nutritional and health status data. This is order to assess the indirect effects of contaminants on reproductive activity in female P. phocoena. Further additional analy
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Related content

Scientific name Common name Class Order Family Appendix (App. I / App. II)
Delphinus delphis Short-Beaked Common Dolphin Mammalia Cetacea Delphinidae 2005 / 1988
Phocoena phocoena Harbour Porpoise Mammalia Cetacea Phocoenidae - / -
Document Number Title CMS Instrument Publish date
AC18/Doc.2-10 Annual National ReportUnited Kingdom ASCOBANS 04/04/2011
Document Number Title CMS Instrument Publish date
AC19/Doc.6-04 Project Report:Effects of contaminants on reproduction in small cetaceans,Phase II ASCOBANS 05/03/2012

No pictures for Effects of contaminants on reproduction, Phase II

Implementing AgencySinéad Murphy / University of St. Andrews
Collaborating agenciesDr Paul Jepson and Rob Deaville, UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme The Welcome Building Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent's Park London NW1 4RY UK Email: Paul.Jepson@ioz.ac.uk Email: rob.deaville@ioz.ac.uk www.ukstrandings.org Dr Robin Law, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK Email: robin.law@cefas.co.uk
Activity start dateMay 2011
Activity end dateSeptember 2011
CMS AppendixAppendix II
Taxonomic groupMarine mammals
Target region
Target countryUnited Kingdom
Final technical reportYes
Pollution
Industry and production