The overall goal of the proposed project is to provide the service of rescue and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals within the state of new jersey, utilizing the staff, facilities, and…

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC), a non-profit organization, has been awarded a $118,680 project grant from the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Marine Mammal Data Program (CFDA 11.439). This funding supports the MMSC's efforts to provide rescue, rehabilitation, and data collection services for stranded marine mammals in the state of New Jersey.

Specifically, the grant enables the MMSC to enhance its basic operations, facilities, and equipment to exceed NMFS standards for marine mammal rehabilitation. It also facilitates increased collaboration with state and local agencies through first responder training workshops, as well as community outreach to raise awareness and prevent human interactions with pinnipeds. As the sole sub-awardee, the MMSC utilizes the NOAA grant funds to collect data on marine mammals interacting with state fisheries as required under the program. The project period runs from Aug 1, 2023 to Jul 31, 2024.

The overall goal of the proposed project is to provide the service of rescue and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals within the state of new jersey, utilizing the staff, facilities, and equipment of the marine mammal stranding center of brigantine. Specifically, this will include: 1) support and enhance the basic needs and facility operations directly related to the response, care, treatment, and data collection from living and dead stranded marine mammals. 2) enhancements to the rehabilitation facilities and recordkeeping systems to exceed nmfs standards for rehabilitation facilities. 3) increase collaboration with state and local agencies through first responder training workshops, and enhance community outreach efforts in new jersey focused on increasing awareness and preventing human interactions with pinnipeds.