February 3: Steve McCulloch - The Status of Marine Mammals in the Indian River Lagoon and a Stranding Center Reborn

About the Lecture

The Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Program is multi-disciplinary and strategically focuses on marine mammals as sentinels of ocean and human health. This approach has helped identify ecosystem changes that may present escalating threats to not only marine mammals, but also other organisms that inhabit the Indian River Lagoon and potentially to humans as well.

This lecture will focus on the program's research results and accomplishments since its founding. Recent highlights, including dolphin rescues, the reopening of the critical care center, and resumption of the health and environmental risk assessments will also be discussed. With over a decade of science and conservation resulting in more than 60 publications, and a windfall of content-rich media, the Harbor Branch marine mammal program is well positioned to grow and contribute to the research goals and academic excellence of Florida Atlantic University.

About the Speaker

Steve McCulloch has almost 40-years experience within the marine mammal industry and research community. In 1997, he co-founded the marine mammal program at Harbor Branch. He has worked to create a world-class scientific environment that includes integrated research and education programs that benefit the State of Florida and have applications for marine conservation world-wide. To fund such initiatives, Steve was at the forefront in passing three Florida state laws to create all four of HBOI's specialty license plates, which have generated more than $30 million to support marine research in Florida.

Steve participates in every facet of research from photo-id, stranding response, and animal care to leading high-risk interventions and health assessments. He is often called on by Federal and State agencies to rescue and treat displaced or entangled dolphins, aid manatees in distress, and, just last month, helped transport and release almost 400 sea turtles. For his many accomplishments and tireless dedication to conservation, Steve has received a second nomination to receive the prestigious Indianapolis Prize.

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