1.increase response to, and postmortem examination of, marine mammals stranded along eastern puget sound, washington, by creating a TRI-organizational collaboration that will foster increased and…

The Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a $259,746 Project Grant to the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network under the Marine Mammal Data Program (CFDA 11.439). The grant will fund increased marine mammal stranding response and postmortem examination along eastern Puget Sound in Washington through July 2023. Specifically, the grant will create a tri-organizational collaboration to improve data collection, sharing, and management regarding stranded marine mammals in the region. It will also improve the organizational infrastructure of the eastern Puget Sound area stranding networks by providing part-time paid staff positions and expanding the volunteer base through training in basic and advanced stranding response and sampling. The grant aims to foster enhanced and coordinated data gathering to support the nondiscretionary program's goal of collecting and analyzing information on marine mammals that interact with state-managed fisheries and other marine resources.

1.increase response to, and postmortem examination of, marine mammals stranded along eastern puget sound, washington, by creating a TRI-organizational collaboration that will foster increased and improved data collection, sharing, and management. 2.improve organizational infrastructure of the eastern puget sound area stranding networks by funding part-time paid staff positions, and expanding the area's volunteer base and capabilities by providing volunteer training and supplies for basic stranding response and level a data collection, as well as participation of staff members and key volunteers from each of the three groups in advanced stranding response and sampling training.