350 dolphins found dead on English Channel shores

French and British scientists are investigating why 350 dead dolphins have been washed ashore on both sides of the Channel.

Around 300 have been discovered in France in less than 10 days.

Over 50 dolphins and other sea mammals were washed on to beaches between Cornwall and Hampshire in January.

The Wildlife Trusts partnership believes the number of sea mammals killed in and around the English Channel this winter is likely to be 2,000.

Conservationists in the UK blame trawler ships - they say the animals become trapped in huge nets and drown.

Vincent Ridoux from the Marine Mammals Research Centre in La Rochelle says 36 dolphins came ashore near Biscarosse in just one day.

He told La Charente Libre: "We have reached a peak. We have received calls from Loire-Atlantique as well, but most cases have been registered on the coast of Vendee, Charente and Landes."

Story filed: 12:32 Thursday 31st January 2002