Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 52
Grantee:
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Research Center
Project Title:
Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response
Project Description as Proposed:
The Virginia Marine Science Museum Stranding Program (VMSM-SP) is permitted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), US Fish and Wildlife Service and the state to manage the marine mammal stranding network and respond to sea turtle strandings in Virginia. The VMSM-SP mission is to "promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, rescue, rehabilitation and education". The VMSM-SP maintains a statewide stranding network and responds to marine mammal strandings (100/year since 2000) throughout the state and sea turtle strandings (268/year since 2000) along the ocean and lower Chesapeake Bay coasts. Stranding response includes carcass recovery, external/internal examination, photo/video documentation, human interaction analysis, stomach contents analysis, tissue sampling, carcass disposal, and database management. Live animals are provided with emergency medical care and rehabilitated for return to the wild. The VMSM-SP staff recruits, trains and coordinates a volunteer stranding team with over 100 members. Additionally, stranding response cooperators include state and federal park staff, game wardens and biologists, US Coast Guard, VMRC, life guards and law enforcement officers. Training is conducted throughout the year with emphasis on the natural history and stranding response requirements of sea turtles and marine mammals. The VMSM-SP maintains the state marine mammal stranding database and submits reports to NMFS and other agencies. Sea turtle stranding data is stored in the VMSM-SP database and reported to NMFS and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The VMSM-SP views each stranding event as an opportunity for education about Virginia's marine mammal and sea turtle species. This message is presented at schools, to groups such as girl and boy scouts, to civic organizations and at conferences and special events. Through these ways, information about the status of these protected species is presented to the agencies and individuals responsible for their conservation.
Federal Funding:
$31,000
Project Contact:
W. Mark Swingle - 757-385-0326; MSwingle@VirginiaAquarium.com
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Data
collected by the Virginia Aquarium Foundation Stranding Program
(VAF-SP) and Virginia stranding network continue to be critical
to the long-term monitoring of sea turtle and marine mammal populations.
Stranding records from Virginia indicate that marine mammal strandings,
particularly bottlenose dolphins (75), remain high and that a significant
percentage of the mortalities are related to human activities such
as pollution, vessel strikes, and commercial fishing. Sea turtle
strandings have risen dramatically, particularly on Virginia's eastern
shore, and further study will be needed to determine the causes
and develop solutions. Data collected from strandings provides information
on life histories of the species of marine mammals and sea turtles
that inhabit Virginia waters. Stranded animals are the only source
of this scientific information for most species of marine mammals.
The VAF-SP reported 435 strandings in 2004. This included high numbers
of strandings for marine mammals (112) and sea turtles (323). In
comparison, 105 marine mammals and 460 sea turtle strandings were
recorded in 2003. It is clear that despite the reduction in sea
turtle strandings, the 2004 numbers represent continued high levels
of marine protected species strandings along Virginia's coastlines.
The VAF-SP has increased its role in the rescue and rehabilitation
of sea turtles, seals and cetaceans and conducted many live stranding
responses in 2004 (31), contributing to the successful rescue and
rehabilitation of 10 seals and 13 sea turtles. The VAF-SP will continue
its efforts on behalf of live stranded sea turtles and marine mammals
in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina and work towards a larger
and better-equipped stranding facility.
Marine mammal and sea turtle strandings in Virginia were again at
high levels during 2004. Bottlenose dolphins stranded in record
numbers and the number of sea turtle strandings recorded by the
VAF-SP remained high. Continued monitoring and reporting of these
trends in strandings of protected species will be priorities for
the stranding network in 2005. A complete listing and discussion
of Virginia 2004 stranding data can be found in the final grant
report to the Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program, VAQ
Scientific Report 2005-02, 34 pages. Further information can be
found at www.VirginiaAquarium.com
or by contacting the VAQ-SP at VAQStranding@verizon.net.
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
