HM Coastguard Fleetwood called out to dead porpoises washed up on Fylde coast beaches

Dead porpoises washed up on Fylde coast beaches could be a sign of water pollution.
A dead porpoiseA dead porpoise
A dead porpoise

HM Coastguard Fleetwood was called out several times last week to reports of dead porpoises being washed up on beaches from Norbreck to Fleetwood.

A spokesman said: “We’ve had several jobs this week concerning deceased porpoises or ‘Royal Fish’ as they are also known by.

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“Several have been washed ashore on the beaches from Norbreck to Fleetwood this week.” Fylde sand dunes officer Amy Pennington, from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said the dead porpoises could be a result of bioaccummulation.

Fylde sand dunes officer Amy PenningtonFylde sand dunes officer Amy Pennington
Fylde sand dunes officer Amy Pennington
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She said: “It starts off as a small piece of plastic that’s ingested by fish that increases in toxicity as it moves up the food chain.

“If there are any marks on the porpoises it could be that they have been hit by a propellor. It could be down to lack of food. Until an autopsy is done its unlikely we will know for sure.

“Unfortunately we do get quite a lot of washed up porpoises all year round. I have seen six so far this year.”

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A spokesman for Lancashire Wildlife trust said: “Without seeing or examining the porpoises we wouldn’t be able to say what the cause is.

“There are no predators, apart from the odd shark so it may likely be chemicals or plastic in the sea water.

“We would ask if anyone comes across them on the beach to take pictures and report them to us.

“Also people should remember to keep beaches tidy so nothing can get washed into the sea and possibly harm wildlife.

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