Virginia Coastal Program: 2005 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2005 Task 50
Grantee:
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation, City of Virginia Beach
Project Title:
Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response
Project Description as Proposed:
The Virginia Aquarium
& Marine Science Center (formerly Virginia Marine Science Museum)
Stranding Program (VAQ-SP) is permitted by the NOAA Fisheries Service
(NFS), 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.”
With assistance from this grant, the VAQ-SP maintains a statewide
stranding network and responds to marine mammal strandings (103/year
since 2000) throughout the state and sea turtle strandings (315/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, especially sea turtles, are provided with emergency
medical care and rehabilitated for return to the natural environment.
The VAQ-SP staff recruits, trains and coordinates a volunteer stranding
team with over 75 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 VAQ-SP maintains the state marine mammal stranding database
and submits reports to NFS and other agencies. Sea turtle stranding
data is stored in the VAQ-SP database and reported to NFS and the
Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The VAQ-SP views each stranding
event as an opportunity for education about Virginia's sea turtle
and marine mammal species. This message is presented through exhibits,
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 in Virginia 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:
Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle
Stranding Response
2006 Grant Report (pdf)
VAQF SCIENTIFIC REPORT 2007-01
FEBRUARY 2007
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
The Virginia Aquarium Foundation Stranding Response Program (VAQS) and Virginia stranding network continue to collect data critical to the long-term monitoring of sea turtle and marine mammal populations. Stranding records from Virginia in 2006 indicate that marine mammal strandings, particularly bottlenose dolphin (63), 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). In 2006, sea turtle stranding numbers were greatly reduced and very similar to 2005. Whether reductions are due to overall population decline, abatement of threats, or other reasons, further study will be needed to determine the causative factors and whether this positive trend will continue. Data collected from strandings also provides information on life histories of these species from Virginia waters. Stranded animals are often the only sources of this scientific information for many species of marine mammals and sea turtles.
The VAQS reported 258 strandings in 2006. This included high numbers of strandings for marine mammals (92) and sea turtles (166). In comparison, 119 marine mammals and 168 sea turtle strandings were recorded in 2005. Despite the continued reduction in sea turtle strandings, the 2006 numbers represent continued high levels of marine protected species strandings along Virginia’s coastlines. The VAQS has continued its role in the recovery and rehabilitation of sea turtles and seals, and conducted many live stranding responses in 2006 (13 in VA, 7 in NC). These efforts contributed to the successful rehabilitation and release of four seals and nine 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 2006, some of the highest levels per mile of coastline for any state in the country. Bottlenose dolphins stranded in high numbers and the number of sea turtle strandings recorded by the VAQS remained high. Continued monitoring and reporting of these trends in strandings of protected species will be priorities for the Virginia stranding network in 2007. A complete listing and discussion of Virginia 2006 stranding data and VAQS professional and education activities can be found in the final grant report to the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, VAQF Scientific Report 2007-01, 34 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
