3rd November 2010

Life-like models of a bottlenose dolphin and a seal pup caused some curiosity among local people in St Mawes over a weekend in October, when they were used to train new volunteers for Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Marine Strandings Network. The models are life-sized and help the trainers to demonstrate the measurements volunteers need to take for strandings and what signs they should record when examining the real thing on the beach.

As Cornwall experiences many stranded dolphins, porpoises, seals - and even the occasional whale - each year, the thirteen new recruits will make a significant addition to the Network's team of over 100 volunteers around the county.

Ruth Williams, Marine Conservation Officer for the Trust says, "The data our volunteers collect from stranded marine animals is invaluable. We've collected information about marine species over many years and this has enabled us to monitor trends in the number of animals that strand and the reasons why they do so. This year alone, volunteers have recorded 45 cetaceans and 53 seals so we're delighted to welcome these new trainees to the Network."

Jan Loveridge, the Network's Coordinator adds, "It was particularly relevant to hold the training on the Roseland, as this is where the largest mass stranding of dolphins ever seen in the UK took place back in 2008 and many local people will never forget that day. More recently, in January this year, a rare white-beaked dolphin stranded right here on the beach in St Mawes and many local people called us to report it. We were able to retrieve it for post-mortem examination with the help of the Harbour Master, so it seems fitting somehow, that we should be here."

"After going through the theory sessions in the morning," continues Jan, "we like to take volunteers to the beach to continue the training. It's much more realistic. It helps them appreciate the importance of checking things like the state of the tide and gives them a taste of how cold and wet a job it can be! The new recruits were extremely keen and asked a lot of questions, which we always take to be a good sign. This isn't a job for the faint hearted. It can be hard work and upsetting, but what we learn from this research is vital in helping to shape policy for the protection of the marine environment and the creatures that live in it."

Among the trainees were Lucy and Kurt Jewson, founders of Frugi, the highly successful children’s organic clothing company, which contributes a percentage of its turnover to the Network through the 1% For the Planet scheme. As former marine biologists, they have taken a keen interest in supporting the Network and were anxious to roll up their sleeves and get fully involved.

Lucy says, "Kurt, Helene and I really loved becoming trained up volunteers for the MSN. We’ve been such admirers of the hard work these guys do, usually in grizzly cold weather, so it was great to learn so much more about it. We are nervously excited about getting our first call out to attend a stranding. It is likely to be a bit gruesome, but to know that all the data we collect makes such a difference to the long-term welfare of these precious animals is going to be so rewarding. Knowledge as to how and why they’ve stranded is power to help stop it in the future. We’ve supported the MSN for many years now financially, but it’s great now to get stuck into the much more practical help."

The Network is also sponsored by the SITA Trust and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, whose backing enables the Network to run the training events, provide the volunteers with support and run its 24 hour Hotline for strandings reports.