PROTECT FLORIDA WHALES (WH)
Whales are threatened by disease, loss of habitat, and other factors that lead to an average of one stranding per week along Florida’s coastline. Studying these events can help characterize human impacts on marine ecosystems and potential impacts on humans. There are as many as 12 whale species that inhabit Florida coastal waters, including the most endangered of all great whales: the Northern Right Whale, which depends on Florida’s warm winter waters for calving and nursing.
Do the RIGHT Thing!
Protect Florida Whales license plate revenue supports the response efforts of the Harbor Branch-FAU Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Program (MMRC) and the research of the Marine Resources Council’s Northern Right Whale Monitoring Program. A portion of the funds supports educational programs in Florida by the Wyland Foundation promoting the conservation of Florida marine mammals.
Response
As a member of the NOAA Southeast Region Marine Mammal Stranding Network, MMRC maintains 24/7 response readiness for strandings. Incident response includes veterinary assessment to determine if the animal can be released, requires treatment, or must be euthanized. The MMRC necropsy laboratory performs pathological examinations to better understand illness. On January 1, 2011, for the first time since being severely damaged by hurricanes in 2004, the HBOI-FAU Marine Mammal Critical Care Center became available to accept marine mammals in need of rehabilitative care.
Research
The Marineland Right Whale Project began in 2001 as a part of the Northern Right Whale Monitoring Program, a collaboration of the Marine Resources Council and the Associated Scientists at Woods Hole. Sightings between the St. Augustine and Sebastian Inlets by air and boat are supplemented by the efforts of volunteer community/condominium watch teams and through reports of opportunistic sightings. Right whale data are maintained by the New England Aquarium.
Response
As a member of the NOAA Southeast Region Marine Mammal Stranding Network, MMRC maintains 24/7 response readiness for strandings. Incident response includes veterinary assessment to determine if the animal can be released, requires treatment, or must be euthanized. The MMRC necropsy laboratory performs pathological examinations to better understand illness. On January 1, 2011, for the first time since being severely damaged by hurricanes in 2004, the HBOI-FAU Marine Mammal Critical Care Center became available to accept marine mammals in need of rehabilitative care.
Research
The Marineland Right Whale Project began in 2001 as a part of the Northern Right Whale Monitoring Program, a collaboration of the Marine Resources Council and the Associated Scientists at Woods Hole. Sightings between the St. Augustine and Sebastian Inlets by air and boat are supplemented by the efforts of volunteer community/condominium watch teams and through reports of opportunistic sightings. Right whale data are maintained by the New England Aquarium.
One hundred percent of your tax-deductible donation supports the mission.
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