What is IMMS’ role in responding to marine mammal strandings?

As a volunteer organization with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, IMMS responds to both live and dead marine mammals in MS, AL, and parts of LA as well as the MS barrier islands. IMMS’ pre-oil spill protocol involved collecting basic information about each animal as well as collecting tissue samples for analysis and publication in peer reviewed journals. Live marine mammals and sea turtles are rescued and brought to the Center for Marine Education and Research for rehabilitation.

Yes! Although IMMS is the official permit holder, we work closely with our regulatory organizations such as MS DMR, USF&W and NOAA, and we rely on assistance from many others in responding to strandings. The Coast Guard, Sheriff’s departments, and Beach Patrols, are instrumental in reporting strandings. Since the oil spill, BP crews and contractors such as the National Resource Advisors have also been extremely helpful in reporting strandings and supplying valuable information about each animal.

NOAA has declared an unusual mortality event (UME) for marine mammals in the northern Gulf of Mexico.  NOAA has set strict protocols which IMMS must follow. IMMS works closely with NOAA and other agencies to ensure the correct protocols are followed. These protocols are based on species, age class, and the level of decomposition and determine which samples are collected. All samples are then sent to NOAA for analysis.

Under normal circumstances, IMMS sends tissues for analysis and can receive results within several months. Once a UME is declared, an official NOAA investigation begins and all samples collected must be sent to NOAA for analysis. Due to the criminal investigation associated with the oil spill, and the UME, IMMS is not allowed to analyze the tissues or to keep duplicate samples. The current NOAA investigation is ongoing and it may be some time before any results or a possible cause for the spike in dolphin calf deaths is revealed. Further questions regarding results should be directed to NOAA.

Animals are reported to the IMMS Stranding Hotline which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. IMMS holds special permits to respond to marine mammals and sea turtles, both of which are protected species. When a stranding is reported, a response team is coordinated to respond to the stranding as soon as possible.  Stranding responders record GPS coordinates, take photographs, and record observations for every stranded animal. Depending on the state of decomposition of the animal and age class, a necropsy (animal autopsy) is performed at the Center for Marine Education and Research in Gulfport, MS or tissue samples are collected from the animal at the beach.

If an animal is not brought back to CMER then the animal is marked with orange spray paint and tagged with orange ribbon.  Marking the animals ensures that IMMS staff does not respond to the same animal repeated times, and also lets officials know that IMMS has already responded to the animal and the carcass can be disposed of.

There are several county and city agencies responsible for carcass removal in Mississippi. The Harrison County Sand Beach department removes carcasses on the beaches of Harrison County, the Hancock county road department removes carcasses in Hancock County, and the individual city road departments removes carcasses in Jackson County. After responding to a stranding, IMMS notifies the appropriate agency that the carcass is ready for removal.

Every attempt is made to remove the carcass as soon as IMMS staff has examined the animal. Routinely, during normal operating hours, county maintenance officials remove carcasses immediately after being notified.  However, there could be several reasons for a delay in removal.

- The animal was never reported to IMMS
- IMMS responders have not yet examined the animal due to extenuating circumstances such as weather, inaccessibility, or time of day or night.
- Differences between the operation hours of county maintenance programs and IMMS stranding responders did not allow for an immediate carcass removal. 
- The carcass is located in an area that is inaccessible.
- The carcass was removed but another animal washed up in that location. This sometimes happens during stranding season when many animals are stranding in the same area at the same time.

- Become a volunteer. IMMS volunteers can assist with stranding response by participating in monthly beach surveillance walks, participating in necropsies, and becoming a trained stranding responder.
- If you see a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle, call the IMMS stranding hotline. Being able to supply GPS coordinates, a description of the location, and photographs of the animal is extremely helpful.
- Support IMMS. There are many ways show your support. Become a member, buy a brick, sponsor a museum exhibit, donate items from our wish list, or make a monetary donation. All proceeds go toward the work IMMS does in stranding response, animal rehabilitation, education, conservation, and research.
- Learn more about the marine environment. You can find out more about marine issue on our website or by booking a tour of CMER.