The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) has been in operation since 1992. It is part of the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) and is funded by the Scottish and Westminster governments. SMASS collects a wealth of relevant data and a systematic approach to the surveillance of Scotland’s marine species by collating, analysing and reporting data of all whales, dolphins and porpoises seals, marine turtles and basking sharks that strand on the Scottish coastline.
SMASS had an urgent need to replace its stranding response vehicle used to assist in the response to marine strandings. Although the team respond to both live and dead animal responses, the majority are necropsy investigations.
In 2023 SMEEF was able to provide a grant of £78,113 to support this work using resources from the Nature Restoration Fund.