Institute For Marine Mammal Studies Inc

CENTER FOR MARINE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH IN MISSISSIPPI- OCEAN EXPO COMPLEX

THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS TO THIS WORK: ENHANCING THE MARINE MAMMAL AND SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAT CAN BE REHABILITATED AND ULTIMATELY RELEASED; EDUCATION AND OUTREACH; AND RESEARCH. THE IMMS WILL USE THE FUNDS TO PLAN, DESIGN/CONSTRUCT, AND EQUIP AN ENHANCED MARINE MAMMAL AND SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL. THEY WILL ISSUE NECESSARY RFQS AND RFPS TO SOLICIT FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, AND CONSTRUCTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL PROCUREMENT STANDARDS. THESE RFQS AND RFPS WILL ALLOW THE ARCHITECT TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION WHEREBY BIDS FOR CONSTRUCTION CAN BE PUT OUT AND THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT CAN BEGIN. THE IMMS WILL HIRE FACILITY OPERATIONS STAFF AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME PRIOR TO THE COMMENCING THE OPERATION. IMMS STAFF WILL DEVELOP A NEW EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT TO PROVIDE A NEW AND ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS AND STAFF ALIKE. PHOTOS AND VIDEOS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS WILL BE MADE ADVERTISING THIS NEW EXHIBIT, AS WELL AS SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT ANIMALS UNDER TREATMENT AND THEIR REHABILITATION. IN ADDITION, NEW PRESENTATIONS WILL BE CREATED FOR SUMMER CAMPS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE NEW FACILITY. ANIMALS ARE FIRST AND FOREMOST PATIENTS TO BE REHABILITATED FOR RELEASE, WHEN POSSIBLE. DURING THE REHABILITATION PROCESS, ANIMALS WILL BE OBSERVED THROUGHOUT THEIR RECOVERY. VETERINARIANS, ASSISTED BY TRAINED IMMS STAFF, WILL OVERSEE CARE AND TREATMENT OF PATIENTS. ADDITIONALLY, THEY WILL CONDUCT ANY DIAGNOSTIC TESTS NECESSARY FOR ANIMAL TREATMENT. ANY PUBLICATIONS RESULTING FROM THE REHABILITATION OF ANIMALS WILL BE UTILIZING OBSERVATIONAL INFORMATION ACQUIRED THROUGHOUT THE REHABILITATION PROCESS. DECEASED ANIMALS RECOVERED BY IMMS STAFF WILL BE NECROPSIED TO IDENTIFY ANY HEALTH ISSUES, AS WELL AS THE CAUSE OF DEATH, WHEN POSSIBLE. INFORMATION ACQUIRED FROM NECROPSIES MAY BE USED FOR PUBLICATIONS REFLECTING ECOSYSTEM HEALTH.

CENTER FOR MARINE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH IN MISSISSIPPI- OCEAN EXPO LEARNING CENTER

ENHANCEMENT OF MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING RESPONSE, DATA COLLECTION, AND TISSUE ANALYSIS IN THE MISSISSIPPI SOUND AND THE ADJACENT WATERS OF THE NORTH-C

ENHANCEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF MARINE STRANDING RESPONSE, DATA COLLECTION, AND TISSUE ANALYSIS IN MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA, AND AD

CONDUCT MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING RESPONSE IN MISSISSIPPI TO CONTINUE DATA AND TISSUE COLLECTION, LIVE ANIMAL REHABILITATION, AND COVERAGE OF THE COAST

THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 TO THE INSTITUTE FOR MARINE MAMMAL STUDIES TO PRODUCE THREE EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS FOCUSED ON RENEWABLE ENERGY, MARINE DEBRIS, POLLUTION IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, AND THE DEAD ZONE.