An Overview Of The Marine Mammal Stranding Response .

SoutheastRegionAn Overview of theMarine Mammal StrandingResponse Program in theSoutheast U.S.Erin M. Fougères, Blair Mase-Guthrie, RandallWells, Jon Peterson, and Laura EnglebyMarch 30, 2018

Outline1. Laws governing marine mammal stranding response2. Overview of strandings and interventions in the Southeast U.S.3. Why stranding data are important4. Rehabbed and released pilot whale case example5. Emerging issues and challengesGulf WorldLouisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesTexas Marine Mammal Stranding Network

U.S. Laws Governing Marine Mammals All marine mammals are protected under the MarineMammal Protection Act (MMPA) Some marine mammals are also protected under theEndangered Species Act (ESA)In the Southeast Region includes: Blue whale Fin whale North Atlantic right whale Sei whale Sperm whaleImage: NOAA/NMFS SEFSC

The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972Title I: Conservation and Protection of Marine MammalsTitle II: Marine Mammal CommissionTitle III: International Dolphin Conservation ProgramTitle IV: Marine Mammal Health and Stranding ResponseTitle V: Polar BearsNOAA-NEFSCKathy Crane - NOAA

Title IV: Marine Mammal Health and Stranding ResponseEstablished the Marine MammalHealth and Stranding ResponseProgram (1992) Collect and disseminate dataon health and health trends Correlate health/trends datawith biological, physical, andchemical environmentalparameters Coordinate effective responsesto unusual mortality (andmorbidity) eventsNOAA

Components of the Marine Mammal Health and StrandingResponse ProgramPrescott Grant ProgramHubbs-SeaWorld Research InstituteStranding NetworkDisease/Unusual MortalityEvent InvestigationsNOAATissue Bank/ QualityAssuranceMarine Mammal ConservancyRehabilitation & ReleaseMote Marine LabFWCDisentanglement NetworkBiomonitoring / HealthAssessmentsData Management

WhatisaStranding?Dead StrandingMarine mammals are sometimes found sick,injured, or dead along our beaches. They canalso become entrapped or disoriented andunable to return to their natural habitat withoutassistance (out-of-habitat). These events arecalled strandings and require investigation bytrained Marine Mammal Stranding Networkpersonnel.U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 7

Marine Mammal Stranding NetworkVolunteer stranding networks exist in all coastal states. Theyare comprised of trained responders and veterinarians who areauthorized under the MMPA to respond to and rehabilitate livestranded or out-of-habitat marine mammals and investigatedead stranded marine mammals.Gulf WorldHubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute

Marine Mammal Stranding NetworkThe MMPA provides two ways in which marine mammalstranding response is authorized:(1) Section 109(h) of the MMPA

Marine Mammal Stranding NetworkThe MMPA provides two ways in which marine mammalstranding response is authorized:(1) Section 109(h) of the MMPA:Nothing shall prevent a Federal, State, or local government official oremployee. from taking, in the course of his or her duties as an officialor employee, a marine mammal in a humane manner (includingeuthanasia) if such taking is for:A. The protection or welfare of the mammalB. The protection of the public health and welfare, orC. The nonlethal removal of nuisance animals

Marine Mammal Stranding NetworkThe MMPA provides two ways in which marine mammalstranding response is authorized:(1) Section 109(h) of the MMPA(2) Section 112(c) of the MMPA (Stranding Agreements):The Secretary may enter into such contracts, leases, cooperativeagreements, or other transactions as may be necessary to carry out thepurposes of this title or title IV and on such terms as he deemsappropriate with any Federal or State agency, public or privateinstitution, or other person.

Endangered Species Act of 1972How does ESA listing affect stranding response?An ESA permit is required to respond to a stranded, endangered marinemammal. In the Southeast Region, the NMFS Stranding ProgramCoordinator and Administrator are Co-PIs on the National MMHSRPMMPA/ESA permit and all response must be authorized through them.Texas Marine Mammal Stranding NetworkHubbs-SeaWorld Research InstituteUNC Wilmington12

Intervention: Capture of free swimming dolphins Primarily for animals in distress as a result of human activities (e.g.,entangled in fishing gear or marine debris, injured from a vessel collision,trapped due to physical or perceived barrier) Other situations where intervention may be warranted: Out of habitat (e.g., in fresh water, pelagic species inshore) Displaced by natural disasters (hurricanes, floods) Orphaned calvesNOAA Permit No. 18786LA Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Response Program

Outline1. Laws governing marine mammal stranding response2. Overview of strandings and interventions in the Southeast U.S.Gulf WorldLouisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesTexas Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Southeast Region Strandings:13001200DeadLiveAvg. 812 per year, 13% live1. Northern Gulf of Mexico (TX/LA border throughFranklin County, FL) for bottlenosedolphins/small cetaceans, Cause Unknown(likely multiple)2. Texas UME, Cause, Unknown (likely multiple)11001000# of Strandings90080070060050040030020010002008TX UMEIRL UME2009201020112012SJR UMESC UME20132014IRL UMETX UME201520162017Atlantic Humpback UME Minke UME Mid- Atlantic MBV UMERW UME Northern Gulf UMEU.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Fisheries Page 15

Total Interventions 2001-201718Overall Average 9/year, but 11/year over last decade16# of 0720082009Year20102011201220132014CivilianNetwork OnlyMulti Agency20%42%38%20152016201716

Interventions in the Southeast 2004-2014 Entanglements Out of habitat

Why investigate strandings?

Why investigate strandings?Identify Natural & AnthropogenicThreats: Direct human impacts (e.g., vesselstrike, entanglement, shootings) Anthropogenic chemicals Infectious disease BiotoxinsNOAABasic Biology & Distribution Species distribution & seasonalityMortality ratesLife historyDiscovery Science: May be only datapossible on uncommon speciesEfficacy of management measuresDauphin Island Sea Lab

In the Gulf, specifically Stranding data were critical for determining theimpacts of the DWH oil spill on marine mammals Impacts of response activities As part of NRDA Stranding data provide baselines to evaluate impactsof future spills/disasters on marine mammals Monitoring effectiveness and impacts of restorationactivitiesPhotos: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Outline1. Laws governing marine mammal stranding response2. Overview of strandings and interventions in the Southeast U.S.3. Why stranding data are important4. Rehabbed and released pilot whale case exampleGulf WorldLouisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesTexas Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Pilot whales and TRT background 3 stocks of short finned pilot whales in SE US: (1) WesternNorth Atlantic, (2) PR and USVI, and (3) northern GoM Western North Atlantic stock is subject to a take reductionteam under the MMPA due to high levels of bycatch in theAtlantic Pelagic Longline Fishery (Pelagic Longline TakeReduction Team), particularly within the mid-Atlantic Understanding stock structure, serious injury and mortalityis critical for managementNOAA22

Short-finned pilot whale mass stranding Between June 29 and July 2, 2017, 10 whales mass strandedin Dixie and Taylor counties, FL One whale (310cm female, nicknamed “Gale”) wastransported to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation Given stranding location, animal was assumed to be fromnorthern GoM stock of pilot whales. Therefore, she wasreleased after 37 days of rehab 180nm west of StPetersburg, FL within the GoMUF Stranding ProgramUF Stranding ProgramSeaWorld Orlando

Gale post-release monitoring Tracked for 32 days until tagstopped transmitting off the coastof NC in an area of known shortfinned pilot whale habitatImplications for: Future release site planning andlogistics Stock structure? TRTsUF Stranding ProgramData: R. WellsSeaWorld

Outline1. Laws governing marine mammal stranding response2. Overview of strandings and interventions in the Southeast U.S.3. Why stranding data are important4. Rehabbed and released pilot whale case example5. Emerging issues and challengesGulf WorldLouisiana Department of Wildlife and FisheriesTexas Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Emerging Issues and Challenges Increase capacity to monitor and respond to free-swimming, entangled orout-of-habitat small cetaceans Increase standardized data collection, diagnostic and analytical capacityRegion wide Increase communication and sharing of information/data betweenNetwork partners and with NOAA, including collaborative databases Integrate stranding data with other health datasets Increase capacity to monitor animals that are rehabilitated and releasedor deemed appropriate for immediate release from the stranding site Increase capacity to respond to mass strandings, large whales, UnusualMortality Events, and natural/anthropogenic disasters Understanding impacts of prolonged freshwater exposureNOAAIMMS

Questions?Image: Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Multiple StressorsRecreationalFishingNoiseUnderwater Sound MappingBottlenosedolphindensity inEGTTRMilitary ActivitiesIndustrial ActivitiesCommercialFishingStock StructurePreyAvailabilityHarmful AlgalBloomsDiseaseUSCGClimatePollutionInputs

to unusual mortality (and morbidity) events Title IV: Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response. NOAA. Components of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program. FWC. Marine Mammal Conservancy. Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. Mote Marine Lab. Biomonitoring / Health Assessments. NOAA.