A Guide to Composting Marine Animal Mortalities

Abstract

Marine mammal disposal has been problematic for response agencies over the years due to logistical or biological complications. Routine methods of disposal continuously increased in price, or manpower demands, to properly dispose of biological material to maintain biosecurity. In 2006, the University of New England’s Marine Animal Rescue Center (UNE MARC) collaborated with Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Composting School to develop a project to evaluate composting as a disposal option for marine animal carcasses. This manual is a result of the years of consultation, collaboration, trials, and operation of the pilot marine animal compost site at UNE.