A DEAD dolphin was found washed ashore under a pier.

The animal was spotted yesterday morning by the Palace Pier in Brighton.

This follows more stormy weather in Sussex with high winds and heavy rain continuing to batter the county.

Brighton Dolphin Project, the regional arm of the World Cetacean Alliance conservation group, was alerted to the finding of the dolphin and released an “important public safety announcement”.

A spokeswoman said: “We have received reports of a deceased Dolphin found this morning washed up on Brighton beach underneath the Palace Pier.

“From looking at the photos ourselves, we estimate the animal is about a metre-and-a-half long, and likely to be a Bottlenose Dolphin.

“Should you happen to see a stranded dolphin, or seal (alive or dead) we recommend contacting British Divers Marine Life Rescue or Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme.

“They can provide you with the most appropriate advice as to what action can be taken.

“Within the local area the best thing to do is to contact the Brighton and Hove Beach Seafront Team and they can come remove it.

“In the meantime please do not approach it, especially if you have a dog, as there’s no guarantee of how long it’s been out there.”

It is one of several dolphins to be found along the South East coast in recent months.

The death of one animal - which was found on Lancing beach last month with notches on either side of its beak and impressions along its body consistent with marks from a fishing net - is being put down to fishing trawlers.

The Zoological Society of London said the injuries were consistent with bycatch.

Rob Deaville of dolphin death watchdog Cetacean Strandings Investigations Programme said: “The dolphin was in good nutritional condition and had evidence of recent feeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

“The findings were therefore considered to be consistent with bycatch or incidental capture in fishing gear.”

Further offshore, the Marine Management Organisation is responsible for policing fishing vessels.

A spokesman said fishing vessels longer than 12 metres are required by law to fit “pingers” to some nets to drive away marine life with sounds.

“The Marine Management Organisation and Defra continue to work with the fishing industry to reduce the bycatch of dolphins,” he said.

A decomposed dolphin was found on Brighton beach opposite Royal Crescent last month and a common dolphin was thrown onto Hove promenade late last year following powerful winds in the city.

In September 2019 a young dolphin was washed on to the sand at Shoreham beach. But the infant was saved by the quick-thinking actions of passersby, who wrapped it in towels and returned it to the ocean.