A dead porpoise has been found washed ashore at Slapton Sands.

Dolphin campaigner Lindy Hingley, who runs Brixham Seawatch, said: "It was a very young juvenile that was clean as a whistle. It probably died on Sunday of natural causes, because its body was completely intact."

She said it was underweight and probably died from starvation caused by parasites in the body or separation from its mother. The remains have been sent to London Zoo for post-mortem tests. The zoo is employed by DEFRA to examine every dead whale, dolphin or porpoise that gets washed up on our shores. Knowing the exact cause of death helps experts identify the threats that face our largest marine animals.

Ms Hingley says she has dealt with over 30 dead marine animals this winter, almost all of which have been killed by fishing nets.

"More than 85% of the dolphins, porpoises and whales we find on the beach are killed by fishermen. Different fisheries tend to affect different species" Ms Hingley said.

"Porpoises feed in inshore areas and are much more likely to get caught in gill nets. Dolphins travel further out to sea and are more likely to become trapped in pair trawling nets. In both cases the animals suffer painful deaths by asphyxiation because they cannot get to the surface to breathe."

Ms. Hingley found no evidence of netting or net marks on the young porpoise found at Slapton Sands. Meanwhile another young porpoise discovered near Torquay on Sunday was "definitely killed by gill netting which was wrapped around its tail" she said.

"It had a very damaged head which probably happened when they hauled the net in. To get it out of the net they had to cut off its fins using a blunt implement. It would have been an horrendous death."

Ms Hingley is pressing for a European wide ban on pair trawling and certain types of gill netting. She is also calling for better policing of protected - or 'no go' - areas where fishing is not allowed.

Anyone who visits the coast is urged to report any sightings of dolphins or porpoises - dead or alive - as soon as they see them.

"It's vital that people call me as soon as they can" said Ms Hingley. "This is particularly important where people discover a dead animal. Post mortem tests can only be carried out on fresh bodies so if a dead dolphin or porpoise goes unreported for even as long as a day it may be too late to determine its cause of death."

To report a sighting call Lindy Hingley on 07712 587799