Guidance on the removal of dead or stranded animals below the high water mark
Published 30 November 2015
© Crown copyright 2015
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/removal-of-dead-or-stranded-animals-below-the-high-water-mark/guidance-on-the-removal-of-dead-or-stranded-animals-below-the-high-water-mark
When removing a dead or stranded animal from below the high water mark when using a vehicle, vessel or platform, the following actions should be followed:
1. Notification
If the animal is below the high water mark and is being disposed of on land with the use of a vehicle, vessel or platform, the relevant public authority or landowner responsible for removal must notify the MMO before the animal is removed. This can be done online via the marine case management system.
2. Existing wildlife licences
Although the following are covered by an existing Natural England wildlife licence (collection of marine mammals for scientific purposes), the MMO must still be notified of their removal:
- Cetacean Strandings Investigations Programme (CSIP)
- British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR)
Natural England must be contacted and agree any activity if the animal is on, or access to the animal is through, an Site of Scientific Interest.
3. Protected species
A wildlife licence is needed to remove and keep a protected marine species for research purposes. This should be obtained from Natural England. If the animal is located below the low water mark then the MMO should also be contacted.
Protected species or their parts or derivatives cannot be sold and they cannot be taken to rendering plants for processing if the end product will be sold.
A wildlife licence is not required for the removal of a dead marine mammal for immediate disposal.