LESIONS OBSERVED ON STRANDED SEABIRDS ALONG THE BELGIAN COAST FROM 1992 TO 1995

From 1992 to 1995, dead seabirds found on Belgian beaches were collect ed and various tissues of 241 birds were sampled for histopathological , bacteriological, parasitological, and toxicological investigations. The most common species examined was the guillemot (Uria aalge). Necro psies revealed cachexia (severe emaciation), acute haemorrhagic gastro -enteropathy and oil contamination in many of these birds. Statistical analyses were performed in order to explore correlations of these wit h biological parameters such as age, sex, and origin (pelagic or non-p elagic). The pelagic origin of seabirds were associated with the three main findings. Oil contamination was associated with acute gastro-ent eropathy and cachexia, and cachexia was more prevalent among juveniles . Finally, cachexia and acute gastro-enteropathy were strongly associa ted. It is possible that oiled pelagic seabirds become cachectic and d ie of acute gastro-enteropathy. (C) 1997 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.