This proposal seeks support for the following objectives: 1) hire a part time animal rescue technician to ensure 7 day/week coverage and support general operations of the animal rescue program through…

The Sea Research Foundation, Inc., doing business as Mystic Aquarium, received a $246,102 Project Grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Marine Mammal Data Program. The grant will support the aquarium's animal rescue program and marine mammal stranding response efforts from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023.

Specifically, the funding will enable the aquarium to hire a part-time animal rescue technician to ensure daily coverage for its animal rescue operations and purchase needed supplies. It will also cover histopathology testing on stranded marine mammals, microbiology testing on rehabilitated animals as clinically indicated, and infectious disease testing on live-stranded cetaceans. Additionally, the grant supports developing an outreach video on stranding response to abundant pinniped species and promoting responsible wildlife viewing, with priority National Marine Fisheries Service and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement content. The award aims to advance the aquarium's marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation and research efforts in Mystic and Stonington, Connecticut.

This proposal seeks support for the following objectives: 1) hire a part time animal rescue technician to ensure 7 day/week coverage and support general operations of the animal rescue program through the purchase of needed supplies. (category B2, regional priority b: i.,II). 2) perform histopathology on code 2 stranded marine mammals, microbiology on rehabilitation marine mammals as clinically indicated, and infectious disease testing for live stranded cetaceans. (category B2, national priority 1: a; regional priority b) II, IV). 3) develop an outreach video, with prioritized nmfs and NOAA OLE content, to address stranding response to abundant pinniped species and promote responsible wildlife viewing. (category B2, regional priority b, III).