Virginia Coastal Program: 2004 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY 2004 Task 50
Grantee:
VA Beach/Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
Project Title:
Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Stranding Response
Project Description as Proposed:
The Virginia Marine Science Museum Foundation Stranding Program (VMSMF-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 mission is to "promote the conservation of marine animal species through research, rescue, rehabilitation and education". The VMSMF-SP maintains a statewide stranding network and responds to marine mammal strandings (101/year since 1999) throughout the state and sea turtle strandings (283/year since 1999) 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 VMSMF-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, VDGIF, life guards and law enforcement officers. Trainings are conducted throughout the year with emphasis on the natural history and stranding response requirements of sea turtles and marine mammals. The VMSMF-SP maintains the state marine mammal stranding database and submits reports to NMFS and other agencies. Sea turtle stranding data is stored in the VMSMF-SP database and reported to NMFS and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The VMSMF-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:
$31,000.00
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 Response Program (VAQS) 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 dolphin (60) and harbor porpoise (22), remain high and that a significant percentage of the mortalities are related to human activities such as pollution, vessel strikes, and commercial fishing. Sea turtles stranded in very high numbers in the lower Chesapeake Bay and ocean coastal regions of Virginia during the period from 2001-2004 (average of 349 per year), particularly on Virginia’s eastern shore. In 2005, sea turtle stranding numbers were greatly reduced (167). Further study will be needed to determine the causes for the sharp decline and whether this positive trend will continue. Data collected from strandings also 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 VAQS reported 286 strandings in 2005. This included high numbers of strandings for marine mammals (119) and sea turtles (167). In comparison, 112 marine mammals and 323 sea turtle strandings were recorded in 2004. Despite the great reduction in sea turtle strandings, the 2005 numbers represent continued high levels of marine protected species strandings along Virginia’s coastlines. The VAQS has increased its role in the rescue and rehabilitation of sea turtles, seals and cetaceans and conducted many live stranding responses in 2005 (32 in VA, 17 in NC). These efforts contributed to the successful rescue and rehabilitation of six seals and 16 sea turtles. The VAQS 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 2005. Bottlenose dolphins and harbor porpoises stranded in high numbers. The number of sea turtle strandings recorded by the VAQS declined from 2004, but remained high. Continued monitoring and reporting of these trends in strandings of protected species will be priorities for the stranding network in 2006. A complete listing and discussion of Virginia 2005 stranding data can be found in the final grant report to the Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program, VAQF Scientific Report 2006-01, 32 pages. Further information can be found at www.VirginiaAquarium.com or by contacting the VAQS 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
