Evaluation of cetacean strandings on the north-western coast of Morocco from 2016 to 2021.

Cetaceans' stranding data are a valuable information source about population indicators, biological analyses and causes of death. This study aimed to determine the species present on the north-western coast of Morocco, their spatio-temporal distribution and the potential causes of mortality of these stranded species. Ten cetacean species occurred on Morocco's north-western coast in the period from 2016 to 2021, from Jebha to Larache. These were bottlenose dolphin, short-beaked common dolphin, striped dolphin, common minke whale, Risso's dolphin, long-finned pilot whale, pygmy sperm whale, Cuvier's beaked whales, killer whale and harbour porpoise. The most frequently stranded species were bottlenose dolphins (n = 30), striped dolphins (n = 61) and short-beaked common dolphins (n = 43). Additionally, these species were present in the study area throughout the year. There were no significant seasonal or monthly differences in the stranding events. In this study, 54.5% of all stranding cases showed interactions mainly with fisheries. Injuries and mutilations observed in the stranded cetaceans resulted from human interactions, thus increasing their probability of stranding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]