Small cetacean intervention and post-release monitoring services projects objectives: the overall goal is to provide services throughout the U.S. To facilitate interventions and releases for…

Small cetacean intervention and post-release monitoring services projects objectives: the overall goal is to provide services throughout the U.S. To facilitate interventions and releases for injured, out-of-habitat, or stranded small cetaceans, and obtain high-quality data from post-release follow-up monitoring, using the best available techniques and equipment, to provide training to enhance capacity, and to disseminate findings. Specific objectives include: 1. Obtain, prepare, maintain, and distribute a supply of electronic tags for post-release monitoring and tracking of injured, out-of- habitat, or stranded, rehabilitated, and released small cetaceans throughout the U.S. 2. Assist stranding network members with preparation of intervention and/or release plans, including selection of release sites and methodologies for follow-up monitoring. This includes maintaining the gulf of mexico dolphin identification system (gomdis) as a means for potentially determining the sites of origins of stranded dolphins, and therefore the most appropriate release sites. 3. Assist stranding network members with interventions by providing experienced staff as catch leads, taggers, etc. As requested by NOAA and/or stranding network members. 4. Enhance capacity of stranding network for tagging by offering guidance and training to stranding network members engaged in post-release monitoring. 5. Assist stranding network members with tracking, by providing necessary tracking equipment, tracking services or training in tracking techniques, and analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of data from tags. 6. Provide regular reports on follow-up monitoring to nmfs, stranding network members, and other stakeholders involved in the case, and the public, and assist stranding network members with development of publications summarizing case findings. 7. Enhance safe dolphin handling capacity for the network by providing training/experience opportunities for potential dolphin catchers, and for veterinarians, stranding response personnel, law enforcement agents, and government personnel during bottlenose dolphin health assessment projects.