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An Unusual Mortality Event off Northern Gulf of Mexico

Updated: Aug 26, 2019

NOAA has declared an Unusual Mortality event (UME) for common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. An unusual Mortality Event (UME) is characterised by “a stranding event that is unexpected, involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population, and demands immediate response.”


This event began in February 2019 and was seen to heighten during April and May with at least 260 confirmed stranded bottlenose dolphins in total. A significant 3-fold increase was seen in April-May in comparison to historical records which includes previous UME events. The causal explanation has yet to be determined. However, high precipitation that year and long-lasting effects of the Deepwater Horizon spill which occurred back in 2010 may have contributed to the weakening and stranding of these dolphins. For more information:


https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/

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