Information on Balaenoptera edeni strandings along the Brazilian south-east coast and feeding associations with other marine vertebrates are reported. A total of 19 strandings were observed from 1972 to 2003 along ≈1200 km of coast. Strandings were evenly distributed among seasons with no distinguishable peaks. Besides the stranding data, opportunistic observations on Bryde's whales engaged in feeding activities were reported from nine cruises along São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro State coasts (22–24°S). Bryde's whales were observed preying on Brazilian sardines (Sardinella brasiliensis) in at least three events, and possibly two others. Associations with other marine vertebrates were observed, and included dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus), little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), unidentified sharks, terns (Sterna hirundinacea, Sterna spp.), brown boobies (Sula leucogaster), frigate birds (Fregata magnificens), parasitic jaeger (Stercorarius cf. parasiticus), albatrosses (Thalassarche spp.), and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Stranding data and on-board observations support the hypothesis that Bryde's whales are common in coastal waters of south-eastern Brazil.

Cetacean sightings are reported from opportunistic deployment of observers on fishing boats during 1998–1999 in Galician waters (north-west Spain), a region of high biodiversity, intensive fishing activity and an important cetacean habitat. During 111 trips, a total track length of 8128 km and estimated area of approximately 9840 km2 was surveyed, including both inshore and offshore waters.  The most frequently sighted species were common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Taking account of biases in the survey data, the former species was most commonly sighted in deeper offshore waters (>200 m depth) with the highest sightings rate in the second quarter of the year. Bottlenose dolphins were seen mainly in inshore waters to the south of Galicia but also in offshore waters further north. Sightings rates were higher when the observers' boats were engaged in fishing than when travelling. Published dietary data suggest that this may simply indicate that dolphins tend to congregate in fishing areas where their main prey occur.  Several different treatments of the data were used to derive relative abundance indices (taking account of observation biases and of spatial variation in survey coverage). These calculations suggest that there may be around 7000–10,000 common dolphins and 600–1000 bottlenose dolphins in Galician waters, although dedicated surveys are needed to produce robust estimates.  Other species seen during surveys included the long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Incidental observations from boats and land-based surveys supported the high relative abundance of common dolphins and, in inshore waters, of bottlenose dolphins, as well as providing additional records of porpoises and Risso's dolphins.

The first known occurrence of a naturalized population of Manila clam (Tapes philippinarum) in UK waters is reported. Introduced into Poole Harbour for aquaculture in 1988; by 1994 local fishermen and wading birds began to exploit this northernmost naturalized population in Europe. The licensed fishery currently supports 31 local fishers, landing approximately 250 tn. of clams in 2002. The current distribution of the clam in Poole Harbour, the biology of this naturalized population and the ecological impact of its introduction and fishery, is described.

Samples of shells of the razor clam Ensis directus were examined in order to characterize annually forming shell marks (annuli). Shells from different grounds were aged by naked-eye examination. Back measurements at the identified annuli were used to generate length at age data, to which von Bertalanffy growth parameters were fitted.

Twenty-three observations of 26 fin whales Balaenoptera physalus are documented for the northern Adriatic. Records were more common along the eastern coast and have increased over the last decades. The latter coincides with the increased presence of other planktivorous vertebrates (humpback whale, basking shark) and possibly follow changes in the zooplankton abundance.

A new species of the synallactid sea cucumber genus Pseudostichopus is described, P. aemulatus sp. nov., based on genetic (DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase I [COI] gene) and morphological characters. A comparative molecular study with two other species of the same genus (P. villosus and P. mollis) and from a different family (Isostichopus fuscus) was carried out in order to clarify its taxonomic identity. The nucleotide distance between P. aemulatus sp. nov. and P. villosus and P. mollis is sufficient to support distinct species status. The estimated difference in the number of amino acids, coded for by a partially sequenced COI gene, within the species of the family Synallactidae ranged from 4 to 18. The phylogenetic analysis clearly supports separate species status of these sympatric morphotypes, as indicated by the morphological analysis.

One juvenile specimen of the sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus was recorded for the first time from the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. The specimen has been collected in an area of the Sicilian coast where trawling is banned except for scientific purposes. Morphometrics and meristics data are given.

Lessepsian migrant Siganus rivulatus is reported for the first time from the Adriatic Sea, substantially further north than its usual area of occurrence in the Mediterranean Sea. Two specimens (111 mm total length [TL] and 149 mm TL) were captured by beach seine on 5 October 2002 off islet Bobara, near Cavtat (southern Adriatic). Morphometric and meristic characteristics of the specimens are provided. The possible explanations of this occurrence are discussed.

The capture of a specimen of Sphoeroides spengleri (Osteichthyes: Tetraodontidae), 17 December 2000 and 29·7 mm total length, from the Málaga coast (Alborán Sea, western Mediterranean) represents the first record of a new alien species for Mediterranean waters.

Meristic and morphometric data of a specimen of tarpon Megalops atlanticus caught off the Asturias coast, northern Spain, are reported. This is the first record of this species in Spanish waters.

Two new species belonging to Syngnatidae were newly recorded in the Gulf of Antalya, Turkish Mediterranean. These are reported for the first time from the Turkish Mediterranean (Anatolian coast) and for the second time the Mediterranean. These species are Hippocampus fuscus, immigrant from the Red Sea, and Syngnathus rostellatus, immigrant from the Atlantic Ocean.

Three sightings of Mesoplodon beaked whales are reported from the Bay of Biscay, north-east Atlantic. All sightings comprised one or two animals, breaching repeatedly in proximity to the survey vessel, and occurred at between 2200 and 4100 m water depth. Descriptive and photographic data are compared with published accounts of Mesoplodon species in the north-east Atlantic, and the identification of the animals as True's beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus) concurs with all observed features. Within the north-east Atlantic, True's beaked whale is the only Mesoplodon species that could produce the single, closely-spaced parallel-paired scar observed on one animal. Our observations are consistent with the first live sightings of True's beaked whale in the Bay of Biscay, and only the second documented record worldwide.

In summer 2001, members of the public in south-west Scotland were interviewed to determine their knowledge of the diversity and occurrence of cetaceans in the region. Interviews were conducted in both rural island and coastal communities and a major city.

The majority of interviewees (46%) underestimated the number of cetacean species occurring in western Scottish waters (i.e. <10 species). Only 4·4% gave the correct answer (24). Location of the participant affected the level of knowledge. Photographs were presented of the four most commonly occurring cetacean species: only 30·2% correctly identified one or more of the species. The species most frequently identified correctly was the bottlenose dolphin (19% of interviewees) followed by the harbour porpoise (17·5%), minke whale (10·7%) and, lastly, the common dolphin (7·1%).

Interviewees were also asked whether certain cetacean species occurred in local waters or not. The level of awareness was generally low. The most common positive answers involved the bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise, and minke whale. Only one in five were aware of killer whales and 13·1% believed that grey whales occurred in Scottish waters. Knowledge of species occurrence showed statistically significant relationships with age, gender, level of environmental interest and location, but not occupation (teachers, tourism professionals and marine stakeholders did not show greater levels of cetacean knowledge). The study identified target groups and locations where knowledge of cetaceans is low and environmental education efforts should be concentrated.