The participants of the Bahamas Marine Mammal Stranding Workshop, 2008.

STRANDING NETWORK HOTLINE NUMER +1 242 544 5409

Please visit our google group, http://groups.google.com/group/bahamas-marine-mammal-stranding-network for the latest updates.

Bahamas Marine Mammal Stranding Network Workshop - Press Release

On May 3rd and 4th 2008, a marine mammal stranding network workshop was held at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau, hosted by the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation (BMMRO), the Department of Marine Resources, and the Atlantis Resort.

The purpose of the workshop was to train Bahamians how to respond to a stranding of a marine mammal in the Bahamas. The Honourable Lawrence Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources officially opened the workshop on Saturday morning, stating "I believe the establishment of a Marine Mammal Stranding Network in The Bahamas will serve to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education."

Over 60 participants attended the workshop, representing 8 Bahamian islands, including Long Island, Inagua, Abaco, Andros, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Bimini and New Providence. Many participants were from the Department of Marine Resources, Bahamas National Trust Park Wardens, Government and private veterinary doctors and staff from the Atlantis marine life facility and other captive facilities in the Bahamas. Participants were trained as first responders for live stranding and basic data collection for dead stranded animals. Twenty stranding kits were distributed to participants providing vital equipment for response and treatment. Training was provided by Blair Mase and Drs. Ruth Ewing and Julia Zaias from US NOAA Fisheries in Miami, Janet Whaley the US stranding coordinator, Dr. Darlene Ketten from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Dr. Beth Doescher, the senior Atlantis' marine mammal veterinarian. Charlotte Dunn, the President of BMMRO and the workshop organiser, said that she was extremely pleased with the level of interest the participants showed throughout the workshop, as well as the positive feedback, both of which will ensure an effective stranding network throughout the Bahamas that will work towards the conservation of marine mammals.

During the workshop, a Hotline number was announced for reporting stranded, injured or dead marine mammals. This number will be manned at all times. If you are witness to or have information about a marine mammal stranding event, please call the Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline immediately at (242) 544-5409.

If you would like more information about the stranding network, please go to the BMMRO website, www.bahamaswhales.org.

A brief programme about the workshop will be aired on ZNS, the Kerzner Today show, on the 27th May at 8pm.

This was the agenda of the workshop. There will be another workshop held in spring 2009, please contact info@bahamaswhales.org if you would like to attend.