As enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida, funds from the Protect Florida whales Specialty License Plate can be used to:

• collect, analyze, and archive scientific data regarding whale populations that inhabit, utilize, or migrate in state waters
• provide care and assistance to stranded whales
• construct and maintain a Harbor-Branch-based teaching marine mammal hospital
• train veterinary students in the rescue, medical and rehabilitation treatment, and release and postrelease monitoring of stranded whales
• distribute information for the purpose of protecting and preserving whales
• identify whale populations
• conduct scientific research through genetic, telemetry, bioacoustical, and photographic identification research programs
• advance the research technology associated with tracking, monitoring, and categorizing whales
• develop methods of monitoring whale movements
• provide for methods of early-warning detection systems and advance notification that will help prevent accidental boat strikes in state waters

Research expenditures in 2008 ($264,718.03) supported the following projects conducted by the Marine Mammal Research and Conservation (MMRC) program:

Ongoing Projects

Project Title: Marine Mammal Stranding Response

Project Manager: Stephen McCulloch, Program Manager, Center for Marine Ecosystem Health; Principal Investigator: Juli Goldstein, D.V.M., Assistant Research Professor, Center for Marine Ecosystem Health

Project Summary: MMRC is authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service to act as a “first responder” to a variety of marine mammal emergencies and is often designated to take the lead on managing other members of the Southeast U.S. Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Network. These emergency requests include single animal strandings, mother/calf pair strandings, mass strandings, and special requests to rescue and treat dolphins or whales that have become entangled or displaced from their natural habitats. In 2008, MMRC responded to 13 strandings of marine mammals, which included 3 interventions involving entangled or out of habitat dolphins that required emergency aid. Note: This project is also supported by funds from the Protect Wild Dolphins Specialty License Plate.

Project Title: Marine Mammal Pathobiology and Necropsy Laboratory

Principal Investigator: Juli Goldstein, D.V.M., Assistant Research Professor, Center for Marine Ecosystem Health

Project Summary: The objective of this project is to investigate the cause of death in all marine mammals that are presented to or are recovered from stranding events. The MMRC staff collects viable tissue and organ samples for analysis and archival reference. All necropsy investigations are documented on video, which is used as scientific footage and for teaching purposes. In 2008, 6 necropsies were performed in this laboratory. Note: This project is also supported by funds from the Protect Wild Dolphins Specialty License Plate.

Project Title: Further Investigations of the Etiopathogenesis of Kogia spp. Cardiomyopathy

Principal Investigator: Juli Goldstein, D.V.M., Assistant Research Professor, Center for Marine Ecosystem Health

Project Summary: This project is investigating strandings of the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) throughout the Southeastern United States, specifically the eastern seaboard of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The goal is to investigate causes for, and increase understanding of, Kogia stranding events. This research involves the collaborative collection of samples, including blood for clinicopathologic analyses, skin for genetic analyses, and cardiac tissue for histopathologic analysis; laboratory analyses of samples; and data dissemination.

Major support for this research comes from a three-year grant ($99,996) from the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program.

Project Title: Dissemination of Information for the Purpose of Protecting and Preserving Florida Whales

Project Manager: Stephen McCulloch, Program Manager, Center for Marine Ecosystem Health

Project Summary: This project disseminates data and provides educational content to address the conservation of whales that utilize Florida’s coastal habitats. This mandate is accomplished by presenting and publishing on findings of the Protect Florida Whales program. Products include lectures and outreach efforts to the general public, which include the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured marine mammals, health and risk assessments, and population studies. This information is also distributed by means of websites, publications, brochures, and film media.

External Grants to Other Institutions (Funds Dispersed in 2008)

In addition to Specialty License Plate research supported at HBOI/FAU, grants were also made to other organizations:

Grant Title: Monitoring of Endangered Right Whales in Coastal Waters of NE Florida by a Volunteer-Based Citizens Network: Science and Stewardship

Grant Amount: $100,000 ($50,000 each for 2007 and 2008)

Grant Summary: Protect Florida Whales has supported this project since 2005. In the 2007-08 season, about 800 volunteers scanned the water for right whales, resulting in 52 verified right whale sightings. Most of them were photographed to a level suitable for photo-identification of individual whales. The AirCam aircraft also contributed to the survey effort and photo-documentation. The cross calibration between the aircraft and the shore spotters continues to demonstrate the efficiency of the volunteer network as well as the complementary role of the two methodologies: land-based vs. aerial sightings and documentation.

Contact Information/Organization: Julie Albert, Program Coordinator,and Jim Egan, Executive Director, Marine Resources Council of East Florida, 3275 Dixie Highway NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905, Email: council@mrcirl.org