Common use of Dead Marine Mammal Considerations Clause in Contracts

Dead Marine Mammal Considerations. All dead marine mammals must be collected, identified, documented, preserved, and not disposed of until approved by the trustees. Large whale carcasses may be secured at the stranding site so proper data, measurements, and samples can be collected. All carcasses found within a spill area must be treated as evidence and should be handled according to established chain of custody protocols. Each carcass should be labeled with the date, time, location, species, and collector’s name. A designated storage location will be identified by the Wildlife Branch, and each carcass will be logged into the Dead Marine Mammal Log form. Necropsies should be performed within 24 hours if possible; if that is not feasible, the carcass should be frozen for later examination. Carcass removal, storage, and disposal expenses should be reimbursed to the Stranding Network Participant. Additional information about response to dead marine mammals during a spill can be found in the NOAA Technical Memorandum, Marine Mammal Oil Spill Response Guidelines. Collected oiled carcasses will be retained per appropriate chain-of-custody protocols until released for disposal by the Wildlife Branch. See NWACP Section 9405 for additional carcass disposal information.