Dolphin and whale deaths rise fivefold with 56 mammals washing up on beaches

This year the worst on record as 56 mammals wash up on beaches

Fifty-six dolphins and whales have washed up on beaches in Ireland so far this year making 2017 the worst on record for such strandings.

The number of deaths is a fivefold increase on the same period in 2010. They have prompted an unprecedented meeting this week between experts from state marine and wildlife agencies and fishing and trawler organisations to discover what is killing so many of the species.