Project goals: 1. Ensure 7 day/week coverage for hotline response, rehabilitation care, and improved data collection for marine mammals in CT, RI, and fishers island, NY. 2. Improve data management…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $200,549 Project Grant under the Marine Mammal Data Program (CFDA 11.439) to the Sea Research Foundation, Inc. (dba Mystic Aquarium) with a performance period from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. The grant will support the following key objectives:

1. Ensure 7-day per week coverage for marine mammal hotline response, rehabilitation care, and improved data collection in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Fishers Island, New York.
2. Improve data management processes to ensure quality, consistent, and timely reporting into the national marine mammal database per new regulatory requirements.
3. Enhance data collection on infectious diseases in stranded live cetaceans.
4. Build environmental stewardship opportunities and accessibility for underserved communities through program collaborations.
5. Develop partnerships with the fishing community to raise awareness on stranding and entanglement response.

Project goals: 1. Ensure 7 day/week coverage for hotline response, rehabilitation care, and improved data collection for marine mammals in CT, RI, and fishers island, NY. 2. Improve data management processes to ensure quality, consistent, and timely reporting into the national database per new marine mammal research and response act regulations. 3. Enhance data collected for stranded marine mammals with a focus on infectious disease testing of live cetaceans. 4. Build opportunity and accessibility for underserved communities through program collaborations. 5. Develop partnerships with stakeholders in the fishing community through outreach and education opportunities to raise awareness for stranding and entanglement response. Project objectives: 1. Uphold high quality rehabilitation and response efforts for marine mammals in our coverage area and ensure quality and consistent data collection through partnerships and training with state entities. 2. Devote a part-time staff member to focus on quality control for level a, b, and c data and timely entry into the national database 2 days per week, to comply with nmfs requirements. 3. Perform histopathology on code 2 stranded marine mammals, microbiology on rehabilitating marine mammals as clinically indicated, and infectious disease testing for live stranded cetaceans. 4. Create an environmental stewardship project in collaboration with a local non-profit to engage youth in underserved communities. 5. Collaborate with local fishers to develop outreach and signage with bipoc youth to spread awareness around