Enhance the quality, quantity and sharing of level a, b, and c data collected from stranded marine mammals, provide post-unusual mortality event (UME) surveillance in an area of repeated umes…

This Project Grant award from the Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (CFDA 11.439 Marine Mammal Data Program) provides $158,972.00 to the Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (HSWRI), a non-profit scientific research organization, to enhance the quality, quantity, and sharing of data collected from stranded marine mammals. Key objectives include providing post-Unusual Mortality Event (UME) surveillance in areas with repeated UMEs, enhancing data collection and diagnostic analyses to detect emerging diseases, strengthening live animal response capabilities, and increasing collaboration with state/local organizations to improve stranding event detection and response. The award period is August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024.

Enhance the quality, quantity and sharing of level a, b, and c data collected from stranded marine mammals, provide post-unusual mortality event (UME) surveillance in an area of repeated umes (indian river lagoon, 2001, 2008, 2013; mid atlantic 2013-2015) and enhance data collection, diagnostic analyses, and the detection/reporting of emerging diseases. Strengthen live animal response capabilities, and preparedness for the disentanglement and monitoring of free-swimming small cetaceans. Increase collaboration with state and local government organizations through training and outreach development to enhance the detection of stranding events and yield a more effective response.