Dear MARMAMers, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce our new open access publication 'Cetacean Euthanasia: Addressing the Strandings “Taboo”' published in the IWC Journal of Cetacean Research Management.
Boys, R.M., Arrow, N., Barnett, J., Deaville, R., Grilo, M., Jarvis, D., Neave-Webb, N., Simeone, C., Vecchiato, M., Wund, S., Akritopoulo, E., Alonso Almorox, P., Berrow, S., Câmara, N., Đuras, M., Gerussi, T., Leeming, G., Molpeceres Diego, I., Nunny, L., Pietroluongo, G., Plön, S., Simmonds, M.P., Brownlow, A., Wimmer., T., Stockin, K.A. Cetacean Euthanasia: Addressing the Strandings “Taboo”. Journal of Cetacean Research Management, 27, 2026. https://doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.v27i1.1152 Abstract Live cetacean stranding response can include euthanasia decisions, which are influenced by multiple complex factors, such as interacting welfare, governance, logistical and sociocultural considerations. This study aimed to examine how euthanasia is conducted during cetacean strandings, identify barriers to its implementation, and explore potential improvements. To do this, we applied two methods: (1) an online survey (n = 48; 22 countries) and (2) an in‐person workshop (n = 30; 15 countries) to gain insight from stranding responders on how euthanasia is conducted at live stranding events. We used thematic analyses to investigate participant responses. Our findings indicate that effective euthanasia decision‐making during cetacean strandings depends fundamentally on national law, the availability of appropriately trained personnel, and suitable logistical resources (e.g., appropriate equipment and chemical agents), yet is frequently constrained by systemic governance fragmentation, uneven regional capacity, and inconsistent resource allocation. These structural and operational limitations can delay or complicate time‐sensitive animal welfare decisions. Strengthening national and regional stranding networks through sustained investment in training, resource provision, clear governance pathways, and coordinated information‐sharing is therefore essential to enable timely, consistent, transparent, and animal welfare‐centred outcomes, while also enhancing operational effectiveness and maintaining public confidence in live stranding response. Please get in touch if you have any questions or issues downloading the paper. Thank you, Rebecca On behalf of all co-authors ------------------------------------------------------------- Rebecca M Boys, Ph.D. Marine Biology and Animal Welfare Science Research Fellow, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland Honorary Research Fellow, University of Bristol Veterinary School, UK Research Affiliate, Cetacean Ecology Research Group, Massey University New Zealand Assistant Network Manager, Animal Welfare Research Network, UK European Cetacean Society Council Member Society for Marine Mammalogy Ethics Advisory Committee Check out most recent research: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-50867-7 https://doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.v27i1.1152 Check out our Research Topic that is open for submissions! https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75704/advancing-marine-mammal-welfare-through-ethological-insights-behavioral-responses-to-stressors-in-wild-rehabilitation-and-managed-care-settings [cid:3c5c7310-94d2-4688-922c-2c65ae9642c5]<https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebecca_Boys> [cid:d3dfbd6e-5e9e-4b6c-b2e7-febdbb079786] <https://scholar.google.co.nz/citations?hl=en&user=7rHpOpMAAAAJ> [cid:b85610ad-55f5-496a-8b9b-8bbaba40ecde] <https://twitter.com/RebeccaMBoys> [cid:4a80db91-e2c4-4696-8e78-44211c943abc] <https://www.facebook.com/CetaceanEcologyOrg/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBKlWSLR-YC7KHNrW51KXYC8RqNWn5mtIpZGlhILsMi73gubXw7i0iNq-bMfLim8n7PnUX74GpGPXJqVJBIxqdfqVAvHxEd2En0qyW6mKYd9Q30p8kEFIBWKPFgrh4uEh6ISXy5ihiNbt8H1yEWprZQN4kZDRW8gPSk6TMiyNoF-uJ0o1uPoosrGMKBKGD8sc4K3SJPD2e-mWqDxZOc_aY670ngZVZm6YlpZzvKj_r_vh_aHHeSQuS7lgktu6h7HwKL_pEGombnfjc6z3ekwEF4Szn9mLA-y643tiUxNSQiFyiDyOzrVFqnT34Ctus2d0A9GXJMVBvnw7lCKoNnEq4kbA> [cid:94210d45-9d95-470c-8339-1cee229fca6b] <https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/explore/research/animal-veterinary/animal/marine/marine_home.cfm>
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