SC Marine Mammal Stranding Response Team looking for volunteers

Dedicated to the response of stranded marine mammals, research, conservation, and public education, the Marine Mammal Stranding Response Team is currently seeing volunteers for help in all coastal areas of South Carolina.

Are you interested in helping respond to marine mammal strandings? If so, individuals must be able to:

– commit to volunteering for at least 6-months
– be comfortable communicating with the public
-be comfortable around blood and foul smells
– be physically able to be outside & walk long distances
– be comfortable with unpredictability
For more information or if you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to megan.krzewinski@noaa.gov

Just a reminder… If you find an animal in distress, do not approach, touch or attempt to push a live animal back into the ocean. Please call the beach patrol, non-emergency police line, or the SCDNR Wildlife Hotline-at 800.922.5431.

About The South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network (SCMMSN)

The South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network (SCMMSN) is administered by Coastal Carolina University (CCU), in cooperation with the Marine Mammal Research Program at NOAA’s Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research (CCEHBR) and the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The network relies on a large number of highly dedicated and qualified volunteers and veterinarians who assist CCEHBR and CCU personnel with stranding response throughout the state. Logistic support is also provided by personnel from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and coastal municipalities and state parks. CCEHBR personnel respond to the majority of strandings in the state and perform most of the post-mortem analyses. The activities of the SCMMSN are supported by the NOAA John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and by CCU and CCEHBR. Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) works in partnership with SCMMSN to help respond to these strandings all along the state’s coastline.
If you would like to support our stranding network, consider purchasing something off the amazon wishlist. (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3EQATK7CIDK19/ref=cm_go_nav_hz)

Photo:South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network