Project objective: the purpose of this project proposal is to provide essential operational support for the texas marine mammal stranding network (tmmsn) for response, rehabilitation, and data…

The Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $156,777 Project Grant to the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN), a non-profit organization, under the Marine Mammal Data Program (CFDA 11.439). The grant will provide operational support for TMMSN's response, rehabilitation, and data collection efforts for stranded marine mammals along the Texas coastline from September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024. Key services include the rapid recovery and necropsy of dead cetaceans to collect health data, disentanglement efforts, monitoring out-of-habitat dolphins, veterinary exams and rehabilitation of live stranded animals, and reporting on human interactions. TMMSN, as the sole MMDP funding recipient in Texas, plays a critical role in gathering information on marine mammals that interact with state fisheries and habitats to support NOAA's program goals.

Project objective: the purpose of this project proposal is to provide essential operational support for the texas marine mammal stranding network (tmmsn) for response, rehabilitation, and data collection from stranded marine mammals along the texas coastline. By means of the continued operation of tmmsn and vital support for stranding response personnel, dead marine mammals will be rapidly recovered and necropsied with level a, b, and c data collected, including the detection of disease and unusual findings, according to decomposition. The incidence of human and fisheries interaction will be well documented and reported. With travel support for our critical care team responders, capacity will increase for the monitoring and response to entangled and out-of habitat dolphins in texas, and louisiana as requested. Live stranded marine mammals will receive a veterinary health assessment, diagnostic screening for high priority pathogens, and care in rehabilitation or humane euthanasia. Proje