The purpose of this project proposal is to enhance support for marine mammal responders at the texas marine mammal stranding network (tmmsn), creating sustainability through compensation, skills and…

This Project Grant award, provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Marine Mammal Data Program (CFDA 11.439), will enhance support for the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN) in the amount of $199,840 for the period of January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. The key products and services to be delivered include:

• Providing compensation, skills/mental health training, and resource provisions to sustain marine mammal responders at TMMSN
• Operational support for TMMSN's response, rehabilitation, and data collection efforts for stranded marine mammals along the Texas coastline
• Veterinary health assessments, diagnostic screening, rehabilitation, and humane euthanasia for live stranded marine mammals
• Travel support for the critical care team to monitor and respond to entangled and out-of-habitat dolphins
• Rapid recovery and necropsy of deceased marine mammals to collect Level A, B, and C data on disease, human interaction, and other findings
• Public education initiatives on marine mammal conservation and proper stranding response

This grant award will enable TMMSN, a non-profit organization specializing in marine mammal rescue and research, to continue its essential scientific and wildlife conservation services for the Texas coastal region.

The purpose of this project proposal is to enhance support for marine mammal responders at the texas marine mammal stranding network (tmmsn), creating sustainability through compensation, skills and mental health training and resource provisions. This project will also provide essential operational support for the 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, live stranded marine mammals will receive a veterinary health assessment, diagnostic screening for selected high priority pathogens, and care in rehabilitation or humane euthanasia. Travel support for our critical care team responders will allow for the monitoring and response to entangled and out-of-habitat dolphins. Dead marine mammals will be rapidly recovered and necropsied with level a, b, and c data collected, including the detection of disease, human interaction, and unusual findings, according to decomposition. Project personnel will also engage in public education regarding the importance of marine mammal conservation actions and the proper response to stranded marine mammals.