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The Essex Naturalist
herring, by overfishing have made the area less hospitable. A new, growing
problem is the increase in recreational activities in Essex estuaries - the fast
craft, such as speedboats and jetskis posing threats from collisions and sound
disturbance (Evans, 1995).
The increase in strandings during the last decade is difficult to interpret.
Whilst it may reflect an increase in observer activity, it may be evidence of an
increased vulnerability of those cetaceans present off our coast.
References
Anon, (1899) Stranding of a Common Rorqual Whale in the Thames at North Woolwich,
Essex. Essex Naturalist 11: 190-191.
Evans, P.G.H. (1991) Chapter 9, Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises: Order Cetacea. In Corbet
G.B. and Harris S.(ed). The Handbook of British Mammals 3rd ed. Blackwell Scientific
Publications.
- , (1995) Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. In Barme S.H., Robson C.F., Kaznowska S.S. and
Doody J.P.(ed). Coasts and Seas of the United Kingdom. Region 7. JNCC (in press).
Fitch, E.A. (1900) The Lesser Rorqual in the Essex Blackwater. Zoologist 4th series. 4: 517-518.
Fraser, F.C. (1934) Report on Cetacea stranded on the British coasts from 1927 to 1932. No.11.
London: British Museum (Natural History) 41pp., 6 maps.
- , (1946) Report on Cetacea stranded on the British coasts from 1933 to 1937. No.12. London:
British Museum (Natural History) 56pp., 7 maps.
- , (1953) Report on Cetacea stranded on the British coasts from 1938 to 1947. No. 13 London:
British Museum (Natural History) 48pp., 9 maps.
- , (1974) Report on Cetacea stranded on the British coasts from 1948 to 1966. No. 14 London:
British Museum (Natural History) 65pp., 9 maps.
Harmer, S.F. (1914) Report on the Cetacea stranded on the British coasts. London: British Museum
(Natural History) 12pp.
- , (1927) Report on the Cetacea stranded on the British coasts from 1913 to 1926. No. 10. London:
British Museum (Natural History) 91pp.
Laver, H. (1898) The Mammals, Fishes and Reptiles of Essex. Essex Field Club Special Memoirs
vol. 3: 138pp.