Marine Mammal Stranding Center

MMSC works to develop the most effective means of rehabilitation, and researches the causes of marine mammal mortality. MMSC responds to strandings with these main objectives in mind: 1) Rescue live animals for rehabilitation and release; 2) Establish cause of stranding; 3) Glean information from these indicator species regarding the health of the marine ecosystem; 4) Obtain valuable biological data; 5) Provide important data and samples to other scientific and educational institutions; and 6) Conduct environmental education and outreach for the next generation.

The primary goal of the MMSC is to increase public awareness of these animals, to provide and continually improve housing and care for ill and injured marine mammals in the State of New Jersey, and to rehabilitate them for release back into their natural habitat. If MMSC did not exist, the only options for marine mammals would be euthanasia or the transfer of animals to out-of-state facilities.

MMSC maintains a 24 hour hotline (609)-266-0538. We maintain a strong volunteer base, consisting of more than 350 individuals from varied backgrounds throughout the States of New Jersey and Pennsylvania that aid our staff with stranding response and animal care at our facility. MMSC also works closely with various federal, state, local and private agencies that are able to provide equipment, manpower or both depending on the situation.

New Jersey's beaches are a popular tourist destination resulting in heavy boat traffic and substantial shoreline development, which often leads to frequent human impact on marine life. Some of the reasons why marine mammals and sea turtles will beach themselves are due to fisheries' entanglement, boat strikes, or other human interaction.

Rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals is a very labor-intensive and costly process. Funding from foundations, corporations, general donations and fundraisers allow MMSC to improve our capacity to promote the conservation of marine mammal species (dolphins, whales, and seals) and their habitat. Thus, improving response and humane care for stranded marine mammals through improved protocols, equipment and training; advancing stranding science through enhanced resources for routine surveillance of infectious diseases in live animals, including rehabilitated animals; and promoting public awareness through education.

MMSC to fulfill its mission are as follows:
• Enhance rescue and treatment of live stranded marine mammals that are sick or injured. The work is ongoing and the need has grown with the increase in annual calls for marine mammals and sea turtles on the beach, caught in fishing gear, or in other life-threatening situations.
• Continually improve best practices in the rehabilitation of wild animals to protect them from exposure to novel pathogens and prevent introduction of new or altered diseases into the wild.
• Maintain a qualified on-call veterinarian to assess animal health, treat (and necessary medication), and to humanely euthanize when necessary. Having an experienced marine mammal veterinarian on call means the expeditious diagnosis and treatment of an animal. The skills of a veterinarian are a requirement of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
• Expand our Environmental Education and Outreach program in an additional 20 to 25 school classrooms and providing services to 1,500 (last year over 11,000 students were served) K-8 students throughout New Jersey during the 2012-2013 school year.

MMSC provides first response to strandings, performs necropsies, facilitates rehabilitation, and conducts public education.

Since 1978, MMSC has responded to over 5,900 strandings of whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles in New Jersey. Each of these animals requires our expert veterinary treatment and supportive care to recuperate before they are released back into the ocean.