(1.) p. iii. list of Figures, Figure 11: 

change IIVMSM931021 11 to IIVMSM93101711 
NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/NER-5 

This TM series is used for documentation and timely communication of preliminary results, 

interim reports, or special purpose information, and has not undergone external scientific 

review. 

Summary of the Workshop 

on Harbor Porpoise Mortalities 

and Human Interactions 

19-20 May 1993, Smithsonian Institution, 

Washington, DC 

Nancy J. Haley! and Andrew J. Read2 

'Northeast Regional Operations Office, National Marine Fisheries Serv., Gloucester, MA 01930 

2 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543 

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Ronald H. Brown, Secretary 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

D. James Baker, Administrator 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Nancy Foster, Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 

Northeast Region 

Northeast Regional Operations Office 

Gloucester, Massachusetts 

August 1993 
Page ii 

NOTE ON SPECIES NAMES 

The NMFS Northeast Region's policy on the use of species names in technical publications and reports is to follow 

the American Fisheries Society's (AFS) lists of scientific and common names for fishes (Robins et aI, 1991)', mollusks 

(Turgeon et al. 1988)', and decapod crustaceans (Williams et a/. 1989)', and to follow the American Society of 

Mammalogists' list of scientific and common names for marine mammals (Wilson and Reeder 1993)', This policy 

applies to all issues of the NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-FjNEC and -FjNER series. 

Robins, c.R. (chair); Bailey, R.M.; Bond, C.E.; Brooker, J.R.; Lac1Uler, E.A.; Lea, R.N.; Scott, W.B. 1991. Conunon and scientific names of fishes 

from the United States and Canada. 5th ed. Allier. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 20; 183 p. 

b Turgeon, D.O. (chair); Bogan, A.E.; Coan, E.V.; Emerson, W.K.; Lyons, W.G.; Pratt, W.L.; Roper, C.P.E.; Scheltema, A.; Thompson, F.G.; 

Williams, J.D. 1988. Common and scientific·names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: mollusks. Amer. Fisk Soc. Spec. 

Publ. 16; 277 p. 

Williams, A.B. (chair); Abele, L.G.; Felder, D.L.; IIobbs, H.H., Jr.; Maruting, R.B.; Mclaughlin, P.A.; Perez Farfante,I. 1989. Conunon and 

scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: decapod crustaceans. Amer. Fish. Soc. Spec. Publ. 17; 77 p. 

d Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. 1993. Manunal species oflhe world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution 

Press; 1206 p. 

T 

j 
T 

I 

1 

Page ill 

Table of Contents 

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 

Methods ................................................................................................................................................................. 1 

Results ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 

Discussion ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 

Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................................. 3 

References Cited ................................................................................................................................................... 3 

Appendices 

A. Workshop Attendees .................................................................................................................................... 15 

B. Workshop Agends ....................................................................................................................................... 19 

C. Necropsy Protocols ...................................................................................................................................... 23 

D.Final Protocol for Evaluating Human Interactions with Marine Mammals ................................................. 29 

List of Tables 

Table 1. Reported harbor porpoise strandings from Maine to North Carolina during January-June 1993 ....... 4 

Table 2. Summary by state and month of reported harbor porpoise strandings from Maine to 

North Carolina during January-June 1993 .......................................................................................... 6 

Table 3. Harbor porpoise specimens necropsied at the Workshop on Harbor Porpoise Mortalities 

and Human Interactions held 19-20 May 1993 ................................................................................... 6 

Table 4. Summary of samples collected from necropsied harbor porpoise specimens at the Workshop 

on Harbor Porpoise Mortalities and Human Interactions held 19-20 May 1993 ................................ 7 

List of Figures 

Figure I. Locations of reported harbor porpoise strandings from Maine to North Carolina 

during January-June 1993 ................................................................................................................... 8 

Figure 2. Locations of reported harbor porpoise strandings from Maine to North Carolina 

during February 1993 .......................................................................................................................... 8 

Figure 3. Locations of reported harbor porpoise strandings from Maine to North Carolina 

during March 1993 .............................................................................................................................. 9 

Figure 4. Locations of reported harbor porpoise strandings from Maine to North Carolina 

during April 1993 ................................................................................................................................ 9 

Figure 5. Locations of reported harbor porpoise strandings from Maine to North Carolina 

during May 1993 ............................................................................................................................... 10 

Figure 6. Locations of reported harbor porpoise strandings from Maine to North Carolina 

during June 1993 ............................................................................................................................... 10 

Figure 7. Subdermal trauma on harbor porpoise specimen MMSC93-40 ........................................................ II 

Figure 8. Possible net marks on harbor porpoise specimen 93MMAOPP06 .................................................. 12 

Figure 9. Possible net marks on harbor porpoise specimen VMSM93 1018 .................................................... 13 

Figure 10. Missing dorsal fin on harbor porpoise specimen VMSM93 1021 ..................................................... 14 

Figure II. Severed posterior of harbor porpoise specimen VMSM931021 ....................................................... 14 
T 

, 

I 

INTRODUCTION 

Sixty-four harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) 

strandings were reported from Maine to North Carolina 

between January and June, 1993 (Table I, Figure I). Fifty 

of these harbor porpoises stranded in the Mid-Atlantic 

region (New York - North Carolina) between 23 February 

and IS May 1993 (Figures 2-6). The majority of strandings 

were reported from VirginiainApril(n=IO, Table 2). Onthe 

basis of preliminary reports that recovered carcasses incurred strange cuts and unusual body damage, the Northeast 

Region of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 

convened a workshop on harbor porpoise mortalities and 

human interactions. 

Significant management interest in this species and 

these strandings stems from a recent proposal to list the Gulf 

of Maine harbor porpoise popUlation as tlueatened under the 

Endangered Species Act. l NMFS submitted this proposal 

due to the high number of harbor porpoise mortalities in the 

Gulf of Maine sink gillnet fishery. The widespread occurrence of harbor porpoise strandings in 1993 along the MidAtlantic coast suggested that fisheries interactions might be 

occurring outside the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy. 

There were two primary goals proposed for the workshop. First, we sought to determine if any of the stranded 

harbor porpoises exhibited signs of human interactions. 

Second, we aimed to develop a reliable protocol for making 

objective assessments of human-induced marine mammal 

mortalities. We also wanted to ensure that indications of 

human interactions were reported consistently. Hare and 

Mead's (1987) report on determination of adverse humanmarine manunal interactions was used as a springboard for 

group discussions and final protocol development. 

METHODS 

The two-day harbor porpoise workshop was held at the 

Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., on 19 and 20 

May 1993. Invited workshop participants included members of the Northeast Region Stranding Network and the 

NMFS Northeast Region. A list of all workshop attendees 

is shown in Appendix A. The workshop organization 

included: group discussion regarding recent harbor porpoise strandings and an overview of active commercial 

fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic, relevance of strandings to the 

Marine Mammal Exemption Program, and development of 

means of determining mortality due to human intervention. 

The remainder of the workshop was devoted to external 

examinations of harbor porpoises and a necropsy session. 

Appendix B is the workshop agenda. 

Twenty-one harbor porpoise carcasses from the MidAtlantic strandings were used as workshop specimens 

(Table 3). The condition of the carcasses ranged from fresh 

to skeletal remains (conditions 2-5 on the Smithsonian 

Institution scale). On the first day of the workshop, carJ See Federal Regiscer, vol. 58, no. 4, p. 3108·3120. 

Page 1 

casses were inspected for external markings and an initial 

assessment of the origin of any penetrating wounds. Researchers familiar withharborporpcise biology and necropsy 

techniques described various lesions and the general body 

condition of the animals. During the external examination, 

detenninations were made of the general body condition, 

sex, and age of the specimens. Each animal was photographed, and, when possible, total length was obtained. In 

many cases, the carcasses were either decomposed, nllssing 

body parts, or had minimal tissues remaining on the skeletons, so that it was impossible to get a full suite of morphometric measurements on all specimens. 

A necropsy session of suitable harbor porpcise carcasses and heads occurred on the second day of the workshop. Again, the poor condition of most specimens precluded a full necropsy of all specimens. Nevertheless, 

workshop participants collected as much data from internal 

examinations as possible. Necropsy protocols from Dr. 

Andrew Read (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) and 

the Smithsonian Institution (Appendix C) were used during 

the workshop. 

In addition to the standardized protocols, workshop 

participants experimented with the use of a protocol for 

evaluating human interactions with marine marrnnals. The 

protocol evolved over the course of the two-day workshop 

based on discussions and carcass examinations. 

RESULTS 

Thirteen carcasses and eight harbor porpoise heads 

were examined during the workshop. Sex, length, and 

remarks for each specimen are shown in Table 3. 

Morphometries, to the extent possible, and photographs 

were collected from each specimen. Teeth, blubber, fat, 

skin, gonads, skulls, and stomach contents were collected 

from some of the animals. Table 4 contains a list of samples 

collected from workshop specimens. 

Forty-eight percent (n=lO) of the 21 workshop specimens were male, 33 percent (n=7) were female and 19 

percent (n=4) were too decomposed to determine gender. 

The males with complete carcasses ranged in length from 

112 to 123 em, with an average length of 114.4 em. Total 

lengths from three of the male specimens were not available 

and were not included in this range. The females ranged in 

length from 108 to 121 em, with an average length of 114.9 

em. Based on their lengths, all these animals appear to be 

less than one year of age (Read and Gaskin 1990). 

The experimental protocol for evaluating human interactions with small cetaceans was refined based on workshop 

discussions and necropsy observations. The final protocol 

(Appendix D) contains a list of external and internal signs 

that should be reviewed prior to making a determination of 

human-induced mortality. 

Five animals (MMSC93-40, 93MMAOPP06, 

VMSM931021, VMSM931018, and VMSM931017) ex-
Page 2 

hibited signs of human interaction. The condition of the 

remaining harbor porpoises prevented making determinations of cause of death. Several specimens that were 

reported as "headless" incurred extensive scavenger damage to the head, but their skulls were intact. An internal 

examination of specimen MMSC93-40 revealed subdermal 

trauma and hemorrhage in the head region (Figure 7). A 

small cut was also associated with this damage. Specimen 

93MMAOPP06 contained probable net marks on the flukes 

(Figure 8). VMSM931018 had marks on the dorsal surface 

that may have been the result of a fishery interaction (Figure 

9). VMSM93 1021 contained numerous penetrating wounds 

and was missing its dorsal fin (Figure 10). VMSM931017 

was the severed posterior third of a harbor porpoise (31 em) 

exhibiting unusual damage (Figure 11). It could not be 

determined if the damage occurred pre- or post-mortem. 

This harbor porpoise Was discovered near the outfall of a 

hydraulic dredge in Virginia Beach, V A (Barco, personal 

communication). 2 

DISCUSSION 

Harbor porpoises are known to be taken incidentally in 

gill nets along the Atlantic coast (Read and Gaskin 1988; 

Read, in press). Documented information regarding incidental takes of harbor porpoises or other marine manunals 

in the inshore Mid-Atlantic gillnet fisheries is limited. 

However, in recent years harbor porpoises were reported 

entangled in gill nets in Chesapeake Bay and along the New 

Jersey coast' It was this knowledge, along with early 

reports abeut apparent mutilation of harbor porpoise carcasses, that raised concerns that the 1993 strandings were 

related to a Mid-Atlantic net fishery. Furthermore, compared to previous records of harbor porpoise strandings 

(Polachek and Wenzel 1990), an unprecedented number of 

harber porpoise strandings have occurred from New Jersey 

to North Carolina to date this year (Swingle, personal 

communication\ Schoelkopf, personal communication~~ 

Thayer, personal communication'). One of the dominant 

fisheries in the New Jersey - North Carolina region is the 

American shad coastal gillnet fishery. Ocean harvest of 

shad usually begins in early or mid-February, and continues 

until mid-April or mid-May (Harris and Rulifson 1989). 

The seasonality of this fishery varies by state and also by 

year as fish migration can occur earlier or later depending on 

water temperature. It is often difficult to obtain conclusive 

evidence of a fishery interaction from stranded animals, so 

better information needs to be gathered to identify more 

precisely when and where gillnet fisheries are operating, and 

whether or not harbor porpoises are being taken incidentally 

in the Mid-Atlantic area. 

Initial reports indicated that fisheries or other human 

interactions contributed to the mortality of stranded harbor 

porpoises, but most specimens examined during this workshop were too decomposed to assign cause of death. Our 

findings underscore the importance of exercising caution 

when assessing the potential for human interactions. Careful examination of carcasses is necessary to discriminate 

between scavenger damage versus anthropogenic marks. 

Noting the overall condition of a stranded animal is also an 

important factor for consideration. Most of the animals 

examined during this workshop were in an advanced state of 

decomposition. Potentially, bird predation and/or decomposition could have removed any signs of human intervention. 

Examples oftraurna resulting from human interactions 

with marine mammals are described in Hare and Mead 

(1987), including net entanglemen~ vessel collision, gunshot wounds, and explosions. Hare and Mead show figures 

depicting examples of external marks from monofilament 

nets, propellers, ropes, and intemallesions. This information should be reviewed before completing the data sheet on 

human interactions shown in Appendix D. Other factors that 

should be considered when making a final determination 

regarding cause of death include reporting sources (i. e., how 

reliable?), precise location of stranding, and presence of 

fishing gear. Photographs must be taken to document 

original markings in case new marks appear or original 

marks disappear during handling of the carcass. For example, body parts may be removed from an animal after 

stranding, or rope marks may appear on carcasses that are 

deliberately tied for transport or anchoring purposes. 

Information collected from this two-day harbor porpoise necropsy workshop can be used to facilitate future 

investigative sessions on stranded animals. Workshop 

participants recommended that future research test the utility of the protocol by comparing animals that were known to 

have been incidentally caught in a fishery with animals 

whose cause of death is unknown. Further documentation 

of external and internal marks on incidentally caught animals is still required. Copies of the protocol data sheets will 

be printed and distributed by the NMFS Northeast Region to 

all stranding networks. 

Strandings provide an important means of gathering 

data from cetaceans. Organized necropsy sessions allow 

researchers, managers, and volunteers a unique opportunity 

to learn about cetacean biology and mortality factors. This 

workshop illustrated the value of the stranding network as a 

reliable and timely reporting source and collector of vital 

information. Workshop participants were able to gather 

2 S. Barco, Virginia Marine Science Musuem, VirginIa Beach, VA. 

3 See Federal Reglster, vol. 57, no. 11, p. 1900-1904. 

4 M. Swingle. Virginia Marine Science Museum, Virginia Beach, VA. 

~ R. SchoeIkopf, New Jersey Marine Manunal StrandIng Center. Brigantine, NJ. 

o V. Thayer, National Marine F1sheries Service, Beaufort, NC. 

-
¥ 

data from specimens even in the poorest condition. These 

data, in connection with life history information collected 

from bycatch animals, contribute to a greater knowledge of 

the species involved. The Northeast Region Stranding 

Network's participation in this workshop provided a useful 

opportunity to encourage members to document humanrelated interactions using standardized methods. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The NMFS Office of Protected Resources and Northeast Region sponsored this workshop, and invited workshop 

participants. The Northeast Region Stranding Network 

members and Vicki Thayer (NMFS Beaufort Laboratory; 

Southeast Region Stranding Network) deserve thanks for 

collection, initial reporting, and transport of specimens to 

the Smithsonian Institution. Charley Potter (Smithsonian 

Institution) assisted with organizing and running the workshop. Rob Nawojchik (Mystic Marinelife Aquarium) took 

photographs of workshop specimens. Bruce Wyman (New 

England Aquarium) constructed Figures \-6. Greg Early 

(New England Aquarium), Aleta Hohn (NMFS Office of 

Protected Resources), and Charley Potter provided expert 

commentary during examination of carcasses, and reviewed 

this report. Finally, we wish to thank all of the workshop 

participants for their contributions and assistance during the 

workshop. 

Page 3 

REFERENCES CITED 

Hare, M.P.; Mead, J.G. 1987. Handbook for determination 

of adverse human - marine mammal interactions from 

necropsies. Northwest & Alas. Fish. Cent. Rep. 87-06; 35 

p. Available from: National Marine Fisheries Service, 

Seattle, W A 

Harris, J.; Rulifson, R.A 1989. Investigations of ocean 

landings for American shad and river herring from United 

States east coast waters. Atl. States Mar. Fish. Comm. 

Spec. Rep. 18; 99 p. Available from: Atlantic States 

Marine Fisheries Commission, Washington, DC. 

Polachek, T.; Wenzel, F.W. 1990. Whst do stranding data 

say about harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)? Int. 

WhalingComm. Sci. Doc. SCj42jSM39; 13p. Available 

from: International Whaling Commission, Cambridge, 

England. 

Read, AJ. In press. Interactions between cetaceans and gill 

net and trap fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic. In: 

Mortality of cetaceans in passive fishing nets and traps. 

lilt. Whaling Comm. Spec. Iss. 

Read, AJ.; Gaskin, D.E. 1988. Incidental catch of harbor 

porpoises by gill nets. J. Wildl. Manage. 52(3): 517-523. 

Read, A.J.; Gaskin, D.E. 1990. Changes in growth and 

reproduction of harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, 

from the Bay of Fundy. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 47(1l): 

2158-2163. 
" 

Table 1. Reported harbor porpoise strandings from Maine to North Carolina during January-June 1993 £ 

.. '" 

Field No, Latitude/Longitude Date State County Length Sex Remarks 

MH-93424Pp 42"28'/70"54' 02/14/93 Mass. Essex 120 em M 

MH-93426Pp @41"46'/70"0S' 02/17/93 Mass. Barnstable 115.5 em M 

MH-93-442-Pp 41"57'/70"33' 03/14/93 Mass. Plymouth 150cm M Plymouth Beach, Plymouth, MA; weight = 125 Ib 

MH-93-444-Pp N/A 03/18/93 Mass. Barnstable 170 em F Barnstable, MA 

MH-93-449-Pp N/A 03/21/93 Maine Ctnnberland 138 em F S. Portland, ME; weight = 90 Ib; animal wrapped in nct; 

picked up by Coast Guard 

MH-93-452-Pp 42°14'170°57' 03/30/93 Mass. Norfolk 116cm M Weight = 54 Ib; one of two animals found in marsh 

MH-93-451-Pp 42"14'/70"57' 03/30/93 Mass. Norfolk 117.5 em F Weight = 56lh 

MH-93-455-Pp 42"51'/70"49' 04/02/93 Mass. Essex 130 em F Stranded alive; died as New England Aquarium was en route 

MH-93-496-Pp ? 05/10/93 N.H. Seabrook 128 em F Seabrook, NH; weight = 851b; incidental catch; observer #01418 

SUPP9307 41°46'/71 °22' 10" 05/10/93 R.L Bristol llOcm U East Providence, RI; much of the soft tissue on head removed; eyes 

missing; flukes eroded 

NY1041-93 40"35 '24"{73"32 '19" 04/23/93 N.Y. Nassau 116.4 em U Teeth removed; internal organs removed by scavengers; large holes 

on sides and abdomen 

MMSC93-52 39"02'21"{74"46'00" 05/15/93 N.J. Cape May N/A U No skin on head; no appendages 

MMSC93-50 39"16'31"{74"34' 14" 05/12/93 N.J. Cape May 85 em[a] M Head and tail miSSing 

MMSC93-49 39"20 '00"/74"29 'OS" 05/11/93 N.J. Atlantic 123 cm U 

MMSC93-48 40"38 '30"/74"10'00" 05/10/93 N.l. Cape May 115 em M 

MMSC93-47 39"10 '00"{74"40' 50" 05/06/93 N.J. Cape May 115.5 em U 

MMSC93-45 39"17'44"{74"33 '51" 04/26/93 N.J. Cape May 115.4 em F Lungs mottled; line cuts on leading edge of fluke; gill net 

entanglement; robust animal 

MMSC93-44 39"13 '09"{74"38 '22" 04/26/93 N.J. Cape May 69 em[a] U Upper torso only (rostnnn to dorsal fin); isopod damage; 

gill net entanglement 

MMSC93-42 39"12 '37"/74"38'45" 04/24/93 N.J. Cape May 113 ern F 

MMSC93-41 39"1 O'19"{7 4"40' 44" 04/23/93 N.J. Cape May 90 em[a] M Head missing; isopods in body cavity; gill net entanglement 

MMSC93-40 39"16 '00"{74 "35 '14" 04/23/93 N.J. Cape May 118 em F Line cuts on leading edge of flukes; throat and stomach loaded 

with fish 

MMSC93-38 39"15 '25"/74"36'00" 04/18/93 N.J. Cape May 110cm F Two teeth growing alongside first row of teeth in lower right jaw; 

net marks on tail 

MMSC93-36 40"10'35"/74"00'47" 04/17/93 N.J. Monmouth 108 ern F Possible net marks on fluke 

MMSC93-34 39"12'58"{74"38 '50" 04/11/93 N.J. Cape May 112 em M 

¥MSC93-21 39"54'45"/74"04 '36" 03/17/93 N.J. Ocean 118 em M 

MMSC93-20 39°O9'Ol"{74"41 '25" 03/13/93 N.J. Cape May 123cm M Lung infection 

MMSC93-15 39"13 '05"/74"38'20" 03/07/93 N.J. Cape May 125 em U 

MMSC93-11 39" 12 '00"/74"39 '05" 02/23/93 N.J. Cape May 120.7 em F Emaciated; dead several days 

93MMAOPP08 37°52'/75"26' OS/23/93 Va. Accomack 107 em U Animal ahoost completely skeletonized 

93MMAOPP09 37"52'/75"26' OS/23/93 Va. Accomack 125 em U Upper and lower jaw bones exposed; two animals 

93MMAOPP06 38"05'/75"12' 04/21/93 Md. Worcester 117 ern F Net marks on leading edge of fins; lung abcesses; not a robust 

animal 

93MMAOPP04 38°11'/15°09' 03/11/93 Md. Worcester 73 cm[a] U Skeleton tangled in net with bird skeleton; head and flippers not 

present; gill net around caudal peduncle 

93MMAOPP01 38"25'/75"04' 02/26/93 Md. Worcester 113cm M Nmnerous line marles and indentations on carcass, especially on the 

head, flipper, and peduncle 

VMSM931027 37"57'15"/75"18 '00" 06/02/93 Va. Accomack 110 ern U Right lower jaw broken; skeletal remains only 

~ (a]Reported length reflects length with missing tissue. 

~ 
• • , 

Table 1. Continued. 

Field No, Latitude/Longitude Date State County Length Sex Remarks 

VMSM931023 37°51 '30"/75°22'30" 05/19/93 Va. Accomack 133cm ? 

VMSM931021 36°42'20"/75°55'40" 05/08/93 V •. Va. Beach 121 em F 

VMSM931020 37°57'80"/75°18 '25" 05/93 Va. Accomack 107 em[a] M Carcass curled; flipper and scapula removed; mandible broken 

VMSM931019 37°52'20"/75°23 '00" 04/30/93 Va. Accomack 107.5 em M 

VMSM931018 37°52'00"/75°24 '30" 05/93 Va. Accomack 112 em M 

VMSM931017 36°50'05"/75°58' 15" 05/02/93 Va. Va. Beach 31 cm[a] M Length = fluke notch to anus; found by Anny Corps of Engineers 

near hydraulic dredge outfall; carcass had mud in body cavity; 

cuts are unusual for fishery 

VMSM931016 37°29'175°39' 04/26/93 Va. N. Hampton 115 em U 

VMSM931015 37°29'/75°39' 04/26/93 Va. N. Hampton 112 em U Wallops Island, VA; more decomposed than others; left half of 

lower jaw missing 

VMSM931011 37°51 '20"/75°28'00" 04/22/93 Va. Accomack 110 em[a] F No head: fluke notch to center of dorsal fin = 58 em, fluke notch to 

genital slit = 36 em 

VMSM931012 37°51 '70"/75°27'20" 04/93 Va. Accomack 93 cm[a] U No head: length = vertebral length minus skull 

VMSM931013 3S052' 10"/75°27' 10" 04/93 Va. Accomack 115 ern F Cleanly cut esophagus; collected skull; fluke notch to center of 

dorsal fin = 56 em 

VMSM931OO9 37°51 '30"/75"27'50" 04/93 Va. Accomack 115 em F? Head and most of anterior, ventral region of body missing; no 

stomach; fluke notch to center of dorsal fin = 88 cm; 

fluke notch to genital slit = 58 cm 

VMSM931014 35°52' 10"/75°27'10" 04/93 Va. Accomack 119cm M No gonads or other internal organs; lower jaw missing; 

fluke has possible cuts 

VMSM931008 36°55'45"/76°00'15" 04/21/93 Va. Va. Beach N/A U Some vertebrae and ribs with stringy tissue; no skull; 

harbor porpoise size 

VMSM931OO7 36°36'30"/75°53 '00" 04/10/93 Va. Va. Beach 112 cm M Carcass missing head; sand bryozoans in forestomach, fish in main 

stomach; otoliths in pylorus 

VMSM931OO5 36°44 '00"/75°56'20" 03/28/93 Va. Va. Beach 114.5 em M Fishery interaction: cuts on leading edge of fluke 

VMSM931oo3 36°43' 10"/75°55'55" 03/25/93 Va. Va Beach 124.1 em M Possible net scars; very thin; abrasions on head and flippers from 

hitting bulkhead? 

VMSM931oo2 36°48' 15"/75°57'50" 03/10/93 Va. Va. Beach 121 em M Large bites in abdominal and genital areas -- sharks; 

tip of fluke lobe missing 

VMSM931001 36°43 '50"/75°56 '15" 03/03/93 Va. Va. Beach 125.1 em M Net marks on flippers and body 

14-2-93DALP 35°33 '07"/75°27'08" 02/24/93 N.C. Dare 123.8 em M Specimen in poor condition 

16-3-93DALP 35°45 '07"/75°32 '03" 03/01/93 N.C. Dare 117.9 em F 

17-3-93DALP 36°08'f75°44' 02/25/93 N.C. Dare 115 em M 

27-3-93HNSP 35°22'f75°31' 03/17/93 N.C. Dare 113.2 em M Mandible broken; badly mauled by birds 

29-3-93HNSP 35°30'/75°29' 03/20/93 N.C. Dare 112cm M Head separate from carcass 

32-3-93DALP 35°56 '09"f75°42 '08" 03/23/93 N.C. Dare 121.9 em M 

36-3-93DALP 35°57'/75°37' 03/26/93 N.C. Dare 119.2 em U 

48-4-93DALP 35°56'09"/75°37'02" 04/11/93 N.C. Dare 119.4 em M Found tied to third-floor balcony of Travelers Inn Hotel, Nags Head. 

NC; rope around peduncle 

52-4-93DALP 35°58'05"/15°37'00" 04/11/93 N.C. Dare 40 em[a] F Most of body missing; many fish bites 

59-4-93DALP 36°04'04"/75°38'04" 04/29/93 N.C. Dare 124cm M 

6O-4-93CULP 36°15 '03"/15°48 '00" 04/29/93 N.C. Currituck 117 em U '1l 

" '" " '" 

(a]Reported length reflects length with missing tissue. 
PageS 

Table 2. Summary-by state and month of reported harbor porpoise strandings from Maine to North Carolina during January-June 1993 

State Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Total 

Maine 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 

New Hampshire 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Massachusetts 0 2 4 1 0 0 7 

Rhode Island 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 

Connecticut 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

New York 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 

New Jersey 0 I 3 8 5 0 17 

Delaware 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Maryland 0 1 1 1 0 0 3 

Virginia 0 0 4 10 7 1 22 

North Carolina 0 2 5 4 0 0 11 

Total 0 6 18 25 14 1 64 

Table 3. Harbor porpoise specimens necropsied at the Workshop on Harbor Porpoise Mortalities and Hmnan Interactions held 19-20 

May 1993 

Field No. Skull Only Length Sex Remarks 

MMSC93-50 No 85 em" M Strange marks on lower half of animal; dorsal fm looks to have been cut, but hard 

to say because of decomposition; animal was in worst shape: 

no teeth, no flesh on head 

MMSC93-49 No 123 em U "Headless" animal; upper and lower jaws present; also missing its dorsal fln, 

could be rotting; thick blubber and nuccal fat. 

MMSC93-48 No 115 em M Very decomposed, looks to have been floating for some time based on "cooked" 

appearance; no teeth; left side of reproductive system missing; immature animal 

MMSC93-47 Yes 115.5 em U Head only 

MMSC93-45 No 115.4 em F 9-10 mo old based on hollowness of tooth 

MMSC93-40 Yes 118 em F Subdennal trauma to head; internal hemorrhaging in head region associated with 

small cut; not much fat 

MMSC93-38 Yes 110 em F Harbor porpoise skull; good layer of nuccal fat--sign that animal was in excellent 

condition 

MMSC93-36 Yes 108 em F Head only 

MMSC93-34 Yes 112 cm M Head only 

MMSC93-20 Yes 123 cm M Head only 

93MMAOPP06 No 117 em F Illunature animal; little fat; very thin 

VMSM931021 No 121 Cln F Weight = 23,75 kg; immature; part of head tissue gone; nuccal fat present; robust 

animal; dorsal fm missing; heavy bird damage on head; looked like it had an 

empty stomach 

VMSM931020 No 107 cma M 

VMSM931019 No 107.5 em M 

VMSM931018 No 112 em M Weight= 19,75 kg; full stomach, had just vomited before death; cuts behind head; 

cuts along leading edge of pectoral fins; no bruising underneath; 

muchnuccal fat present 

VMSM931017 No 31 ema M Half of an animal-- severed posterior end; odd wounds 

VMSM931014 Yes 119 em M 

VMSM931013 Yes 115 em F 

VMSM931012 No 93 ema U 

VMSM931008 No N/A U 

VMSM931007 No 112 em M 

. Reported length reflects length with missing tissue . 

~ 

'" 

, 
a 

Page 7 

Table 4. Swrunary of samples collected from necropsied harbor porpoise specimens at the Workshop on Harbor Porpoise Mortalities 

and Human Interactions held 19-20 May 1993 

MorphoField No. Photos metries Teeth Blubber Fat Skin Gonads Skull Stomach 

MMSC93-50 Yes Yes Absent No No Yes Yes Absent Yes 

MMSC93-49 Yes Yes No No No No No No Yes 

~ MMSC93-48 Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes No No 

MMSC93-47 Yes Yes Yes No No No No No Yes 

MMSC93-45 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes 

MMSC93-40 Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes 

MMSC93-38 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No 

MMSC93-36 Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes No 

MMSC93-34 Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes No 

MMSC93-20 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes 

93MMAOPP06 Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes 

VMSM931021 Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes 

VMSM931020 Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No 

VMSM931019 Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes No 

VMSM931018 Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes 

VMSM931017 Yes Yes No No No Yes No No No 

VMSM931014 Yes Yes Absent No No No No Yes No 

VMSM931013 Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No 

VMSM931012 Yes Yes No No No No No No No 

VMSM931008 Yes Yes No No No No No No No 

VMSM931007 Yes Yes No No No No No No No 
'I 

1

'" 

,I' 

Page 8 

Figure 1. Locations of reported harbor 

porpoise strandings from Maine to 

North Carolina during J a!mary-June 

1993. (Each triangle represents one 

stranding.) 

Figure 2. Locations of reported harbor 

porpoise strandings from Maine to 

North Carolina during February 

1993. (Each triangle represents one 

stranding.) 

) 
» 

) 

Page 9 

Figure 3. Locations of reported harbor 

pOlpoise strandings from Maine to 

North Carolina during March 1993. 

(Each triangle represents one 

stranding.) 

Figure 4. Locations of reported harbor 

porpoise strandings from Maine to 

North Carolina during Apri11993. 

(Each triangle represents one 

stranding.) 
j' 

,'I 

'Ii 

Page 10 

Figure 5. Locations of reported harbor 

porpoise strandings from Maine to 

North Carolina during May 1993. 

(Each triangle represents one 

stranding.) 

Figure 6. Locations of reported harbor 

porpoise strandings from Maine to 

North Carolina during 11me 1993. 

(Each triangle represents one 

stranding.) 
• 

Page 11 

Figure 7. Subdennal trauma on harbor porpoise specimen MMSC93-40. 
Page 12 

Figure 8. Possible net marks on harbor porpoise specimen 93MMAOPP06. 
Page 13 

Figure 9. Possible net marks on harbor porpoise specimen VMSM931 0 18. 
Page 14 

Figure 10. Missing dorsal fin on harbor porpoise specimen VMSM931021. 

Figure 11. Severed posterior of harbor porpoise specimen VMSM931 021. 
I \ 

APPENDIX A 

WORKSHOP ATTENDEES 

Page 15 
Susan Barco 

Virginia Marine Science Museum 

Virginia Beach, VA 

Dave Bokaska 

Smithsonian Institution 

Washington, DC 

Caren Carminati 

Okeanos Ocean Research Foundation 

Hampton Bays, NY 

Vicki Credle 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Silver Spring, MD 

Frances Cresswell 

Maryland Depariment of Natural Resources 

Oxford,MD 

Hillary DePuy 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Silver Spring, MD 

Greg Early 

New England Aquarium 

Boston,MA 

Jeff FasickY 

National Aquarium 

Baltimore, MD 

Lisa Greene 

Bermuda Natural History Museum 

Bermuda 

Nancy Haley 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Gloucester, MA 

Bob Hofman 

Marine Mammal Commission 

Washington, DC 

AletaHohn 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Silver Spring, MD 

Jenni Jenkins 

National Aquarium 

Baltimore, MD 

Laura Kennedy 

Smithsonian Institution 

Washington, DC 

Jim Mead 

Smithsonian Institution 

Washington, DC 

Rob Nawojchik 

Mystic Marinelife Aquarium 

Mystic, CT 

John Nicolas 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Woods Hole, MA 

Charley Potter 

Smithsonian Institution 

Washington, DC 

Andy Read 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 

Woods Hole, MA 

Bob Schoelkopf 

New Jersey Marine Mammal Stranding Center 

Brigantine, NJ 

David Schofield 

National Aquarium 

Baltimore, MD 

Vicki Thayer 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Beaufort, NC 

Dean Wilkinson 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Silver Spring, MD 

Page 17 
APPENDIX B 

WORKSHOP AGENDA 

Page 19 
Page 21 

WORKSHOP ON HARBOR PORPOISE MORTALITIES 

AND HUMAN INTERACTIONS 

May 19-20, 1993 

Smithsonian Institution 

convened by the 

National Marine Fisheries Service, 

Northeast Region 

AGENDA 

Wednesday, May 19 

10:00 - 10:05 

10:05 - 10:30 

10:30 - 10:45 

10:45 - 11 :00 

11 :00 - 11:40 

11:40 - 12:30 

12:30 - 5:00 

Intro remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Charley Potter 

Purpose of workshop and Overview of recent strandings in the midAtlantic region ............................. Nancy Haley 

Relevance of strandings to the NMFS "Fish Fix" (how strandings are 

used to determine total takes against the PBR level) . . . Vicki Credle 

Relevance of harbor porpoise stranding data to proposed threatened 

listing .................... . . . . . . . . . . .. Mike Payne 

Group discussion of means of determining mortality due to fishery 

interaction or other human intervention - Development of ranking 

system 

Lunch 

External examination of 

carcasses Charley Potter/Andy Read/John Nicholas 

Thursday, May 20 

9:00 - 2:30 Necropsy session and commentary about harbor porpoise 

biology ................ Charley Potter/Andy Read/Aleta Hohn 
APPENDIXC 

NECROPSY PROTOCOLS 

Page 23 
CETACEAN SPECIMEN RECORD 

SPECIES SEX LENGTH __ 

LOCATION 

CONDITION 

CAUSE OF DEATH ______________ _ 

COMMENTS 

Tooth Wear 

Tooth Counts UL 

BLUBBER THICKNESS em 

I-DOR 11- DOR 

I-LAT . II-LAT 

I-VEN Ii-VEN 

BODY WT. BLUBS. WT. 

I ! I I I 

MEASUREMENTS STRAIGHT 

6 

5 

4 

3 

UR Ll 

· 

III-DOR 

· 

III-LAT 

· 

LINE & AXIAL 

Tubereules 

IT] 

Y N T 

19 

2 11 [--18----1 

\ \ \ 

\ \ \ I \ I \ , - 12 13 14 , 15 11 I 

J 

7 

9 ant. vent 

10 anus 

POST. 

Page 25 

FIELD NO. 

CATALOG NO. 

PHOTO NOS. 

OBSERVERS ______________ _ 

CA,PTURE DATE 

NECROPSY DATE 

LR 

LEFT SIDE' 

0 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 

· 
Page 26 

REPRODUCTIVE TISSUES 

Gonad Dimensions L x W x 0 left 

lactating 

Pregnant 

C. lutea 

Mammary Gland Colour 

Foetus length 

Sperm in E;:.;ididymus 

Comments 

STOMACH CONTENTS 

FORE 

MAIN 

PYLORIC 

Comments 

ORGAN WEIGHTS:(g) 

Heart 

l. lung 

R. lung 

liver 

Spleen 

Full Wt. 

C. Albicantia 

Empty Wt. 

l. Kidney 

R. Kidney 

Pancreas 

l. Adrenal 

R.Adrenal 

PARASITES & PATHOLOGY 

Stomach 

Intestine 

Kidney 

Pancreas 

Mammary 

Liver 

lungs 

Heart 

Brain 

Sinuses 

Other 

SPECIMEN 

Teeth 

Skull 

Skeleton 

CHECKLIST 

Gonads 

Mammary 

Foetus 

Weight 

Contents 

Parasi tes 

Blubber 

Muscle 

Kidney 

FIELD NO. ____ _ 

Right 

lx WX D 

Sex 

Uterine Diam l. ___ R ___ _ 

Testis wt. l. __ R. __ _ 

Stomacr.s 

Skeleton 

Brain 

Intestines 

Muscle 

Brain 

Stom. Cant. 

Liver 

Other i 

j 
Page 27 

CETACEAN DATA RECORD 

catalog no, __________________________ ___ 

field no. ____ ~~--------------------- Species ________________________ ~------~--.Sex-----length.------------condition~ ________________ ___ 

observer date, time of death of data' ____________________ ___ 

locality ________________________________ ~~~~--~~~~~--------------------------------

______ ~~----_----------------------------latitude and longitude. ______________________________ ___ 

reported by ____ ~--~---------------------------------------------------------------------------- photographs or drawings.~~--~------------------------------------------------------------------ circumstances, causes of death, etc, ____________________________________________________________ _ 

external description (pigmentation, scars) ____________________________________________________ ___ 

tooth or baleen counts: erupted ____ total ____ upper l, ____ upper r. lower 1. lower r, ______ _ 

diameter largest tooth, length longest baleen plate color of baleen. __________ ___ 

number of throat or ventral grooves (count latter between flippers) ________ ~--------------------

MEASUREMENTS (specify units of measure used~------------~---

( 3) snout to apex of melon .......... . 1 (23) thickness, same place* ........... ______ __ 

( 9) snout to center of blowhole(s)... (IS) projection lower/upper jaw ....... ______ __ 

( 2) snout to center of eye .......... '1 rostral width at apex of melon .. ' ______ __ 

( 4) snout to angle of mouth........... (24) length of eye opening ............ ______ __ 

( 5) snout to ear..................... ( 6) center of eye to ear* ............ ______ __ 

(10) snout to flipper ...•............. [ ( 7) center of eye to angle of mouth*. ______ __ 

(12) snout ,0 center of umbilicus..... eye to blowhole edge (right)* .... ______ __ 

(16) snout to end of ventral grooves.. eye to blowhole edge (left)* ..... ______ __ 

(13) snout to genital slit (center)... (27) blowhole length width* ..... ______ _ 

(14) snout to anus.................... (28) diameter ear opening r 1 .... ______ __ 

( 1) total length, snout to notch..... diameter of head between eyes* ... ______ __ 

snout to insertion of dorsal fin. (20) length of throat grooves ......... ,-____ __ 

(11) snout to tip of dorsal fin....... (29) flipper length. anterior* ........ L[ ______ _ 

fluke notch to anus.............. (30) flipper length. posterior* ....... ,-____ __ 

notch to center genital slit..... (31) flipper width.·maximum* .......... [L-____ __ fluke notch to umbilicus......... (25) length mammary slits r 1 ... ______ __ 

fluke notch to dorsal fin center. number of mammary slits .......... ______ __ 

fluke notch to dorsal fin tip.... (26) length genital slit anal slit. ______ __ 

girth at eye..................... perineal length (males) .......... ,-____ __ 

(21) girth at axilla.................. (34) fluke width* ..................... ['--____ _ 

(22) maximum girth ................... ,[ (35) fluke depth* ..................... ______ __ 

(23) girth at anus.................... (36) depth of fluke notch ............. .-____ __ 

girth midway anus to fluke notch. (32) dorsal fin height* ............... IL-____ __ height. same place*.............. (33) length dorsal fin base ........... ______ __ 

mid-dorsal __ ~----~--m.id-lateral--~~---------m.id ventral~---------------

mammary gland: color ____________ .length _______________ w.idth ______________ ~-.depth~--------------

lactating? ~~--~~~---Ypregnant?-----------------------.sperm in epididymus? ______________ __ 

uterine condition: immature.~------m.ature--------~~~~m.ature and dilated ----------r----------

fetus: length weight sex flat diameter uterine horn r 1 ______ __ 

diameter largest corpus luteum--------~number corpora lutea __________ .corpora albicantia ________ _ 

blubber thickness: 

gonads: weight r. 1. dimensions (LXWXD) r. 1. __ -c-~.,-__________ __ 

vertebral epiphyses: open mm; closed, visible closed, invisible __________ __ 

length of intestine growth layer groups: dentine __________ cement __________ _ 

WEIGHTS (specify units used _______ ) intact carcass ........ __________ - heart............... stomachs empty ..... ________ . viscera··············· __________ l i h i i 

1 i l ung r g t.......... ntest nes ......... ___________ __ mus c e: epax a ...... 1 f 

h i l ung Ie t........... pancreas ........... ___________ __ ypax a ....• Ii ver............... d 1 i h a rena r g t ...... _______ __ misc ...•..... __________ 1 d 1 1 f sp een.............. a rena e t ....... ___________ __ total········ __________ kid i h b i bo ney r g t........ ra n .............. ___________ __ ne......... ......... kid 1 f 

blubber. . . . . . . . . . . • . . . neY

h e ft '1'1" ..... -----------

R k emar s on weights_ , _____________ ~s~to=m=a==c==s~.~u==~.~.~.~.~.~.===========_ ______________________________ __ 

51-2367 

R ..... 11·14-80 
I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

Page 28 

skull length __ ~ ____ skull width. __________ length tooth or baleen row, upper ________ ~lower-------

vertebral count: cervical thoracic lumbar caudal __________ _ 

double headed ribs single headed ribs __ ~------~~~--------~--~----

Parasite and pathology checklist (check if present, no if absent, NE if not examined) 

eye........... forestomach .... __________ mammary glands ..... ______ ~muscle ....... . 

mouth......... mainstomach.... liver.............. Phyllobothrium ____ _ 

genital slit.. pyloric stomach bile duct ......... , Honorhyoma ... . 

anal slit..... intestine. . . . . . uterus. . . . . . . . . . . . . crassicaudld. ,-----

appendages ..• , ___________ .rectum ••..•••. , ___________ lungs ....•........ , ________ Braunina •.•... ____ _ 

barnacles. . . . . kidney tissue.. heart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . other (see remarks) 

cyamids ...... , ___________ kidney duct.... brain .............. ______ __ 

Penella....... pancreas ....... -.~~ __ 77_air sinuses ........ ~,-.-,-~ 

Specimen collect jon checklist (indicate preservative in blank) 

teeth or baleen.. ear plugs ..... ________ ~liver sample ... _________ epiphyses .... __________ _ 

stomach contents. ectoparasites. kidney sample.. other ........ __________ _ 

gonads........... endoparasites. fetus .......... ______ __ 

mammary gland.... blubber sample skull .......... ______ __ 

uterine mucosa... muscle sample skeleton ....... -c,,------

Stomach contents (distinguish fore-, main-, and pyloric; describe condition and quantity) 

in ta c t fish, ___________ fish bones. ________ o.t 0 li t hs. __________ ,squid beaks _________ o ther ________ _ Remarks, ______________________________________________________________________________________ _ 

INSTRUCTIONS. The measurements are arranged for convenience, starting from the head, with 

those requiring two persons coming first. All measurements, except those marked with a *, 

are taken in a straight line parallel to the body axis. The marked ones are taken point to 

point. Indicate if done otherwise. Measure to the centers of the apertures. Fill out 

separate form for fetuses. Photographs are very important. Tissue samples to be frozen 

or in 10% formalin. Stomach contents in alcohol only. 

-
APPENDIX 0 

FINAL PROTOCOL FOR EVALUATING HUMAN INTERACTIONS 

WITH MARINE MAMMALS 

Page 29 
FIELD NO. 

PROTOCOL FOR EVALUATING HUMAN INTERACTIONS WITH 

MARINE MAMMALS 

CATALOG NO. ____ _ 

Page 31 

SPECIES OBSERVATION DATE _....!.1_.L.1_ 

EXAMINER _______ _ PHOTOS TAKEN: YES I NO 

CARCASS CONDITION? Smithsonian Institution Scale (1-5) __ 

--------------------------------

A. EXTERNAL SIGNS 

Body condition? ROBUST EMACIATED CBD1a_

J _ N/E[_aJ_ 

External marks? YES NO CBD N/E 

Describe (net/line or other obvious marks):, _________________ _ 

Penetrating wounds (marks, punctures, cuts)? PRESENT ABSENT 

Cbaracterize wounds: ________________________ _ 

Mutilation: 

Bodies slit? YES NO CBD NIE 

Describe: 

Missing appendanges ? YES NO CBD NIE 

Describe: 

Scavenger damage? YES NO CBD_ N/E 

Describe: ____________________________ _ 

[a] CBn = Cannot Be netennined, N/E = Not Examined 
Page 32 

B. INTERNAL SIGNS 

Hemorrhaging (sub-dermal)? YES NO CBD N/E 

Describe: ____________________________ _ 

Side-dependency (lungs) ? YES NO CBD N/E 

Describe (Asymmetry in organ size, distribution of blood pooling (e.g., lungs)): _____ _ 

Stomach contents? FULL EMPTY Contents saved? Yes I No 

Describe: ____________________________ _ 

Lung contents? FLUID FROTH AIR CBD_ N/E 

Broken bones? YES NO CBD N/E 

Describe: ____________________________ _ 

C. SUMMARY 

BODYCOND. _____________ _ 

SCAVENGER DAMAGE: Yes I No 

FULL STOMACH: Yes I No 

GEAR COLLECTED: Yes I No 

HUMAN INTERACTION POTENTIAL: High I Low I Can't Determine 

COmments: ________________________________ _