Virginia Coastal Program: 2006 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY 2006 Task 49
Grantee:
Virginia Beach/Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
Project Title:
Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Stranding Response
Project Description as Proposed:
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Stranding Response Program (VAQS) is permitted by the NOAA 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.” With assistance from this grant, the VAQS maintains a statewide stranding network and responds to marine mammal strandings (114/year since 2001) throughout the state and sea turtle strandings (311/year since 2001) 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 VAQS 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 VAQS maintains the state marine mammal stranding database and submits reports to NMFS and other agencies. Sea turtle stranding data is stored in the VAQS database and reported to NMFS and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The VAQS 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 management and conservation.
Federal Funding:
$30,000
Project Contact:
W. Mark Swingle - 757.437.6022; mswingle@vbgov.com
Project Status:
1/1/2007 - 12/31/2007; Project Completed
Final Product Received:
Virginia Aquarium 2007 Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response Report (PDF)
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 2007 indicate that marine mammal strandings, particularly bottlenose dolphin (52), 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 2007, sea turtle stranding numbers (177) recorded by VAQS were much reduced from the previous high period and very similar to 2005 and 2006. Whether these reductions during the last three years 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.
VAQS reported 262 strandings in 2007, including strandings of marine mammals (85) and sea turtles (177). In comparison, 92 marine mammals and 166 sea turtle strandings were recorded in 2006. Though sea turtle strandings were lower than peak years, the 2007 numbers represent continued high levels of marine protected species strandings along Virginia’s coastlines. VAQS has continued its role in the recovery and rehabilitation of sea turtles and seals, and conducted many live stranding responses in 2007 (16 in VA, 7 in NC). These efforts contributed to the successful rehabilitation and release of five seals, one harbor porpoise and four sea turtles. 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 response facility.
Marine mammal and sea turtle strandings in Virginia were again at high levels during 2007. These are some of the highest levels per mile of coastline for any state in the country. Bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles continue to strand in high numbers. Continued monitoring and reporting of these trends in strandings of protected species will be priorities for the Virginia stranding network in 2008. A complete listing and discussion of Virginia 2007 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 2008-02. Further information can be found at www.VirginiaAquarium.com or by contacting 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
