Please note: All of the TMMSN conservation efforts are supported entirely by voluntary donations and grants. If you would like to support our marine mammal rescue and recovery work please visit our wish list, where you can donate needed items or make a tax-deductible cash contribution. We are currently in need of scalpel blades, necropsy tools, disinfectant, whirl packs, and gloves--the specific kinds are listed on our wish list with links to the particular items.
2008 TMMSN Texas Unusual Mortality Event
WARNING: The pictures below may contain graphic images. Do not click if you do not want to see deceased dolphins.
April 25, 2008 Update
TMMSN Volunteers: Below is a quick update on the 2008 TX Unusual Mortality
Event.
As you all know, NMFS declared a UME in March due to the high number of
deceased dolphin strandings during February and March that took place in
Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston and Jefferson counties on the Texas
coastline. The peak time of the UME was during March which began on March
3rd, when we had 20 deceased dolphin strandings in one day in Galveston and
Jefferson counties alone. Since April 1st, strandings have decreased
dramatically over the affected areas. After recovering 125 dolphins between
Jan and March, TMMSN has recovered 9 deceased dolphins during the month of
April. TMMSN was busy in the field most of February and March collecting as
much data as possible from the strandings. Now, we will begin working with
NOAA on the investigation process further as we send out samples for
specific analysis. We will keep you updated on the event. Thanks again for
all of your help with the recovery of the many dolphins involved in this
UME!
Thanks!
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March 27, 2008:
After a careful review of the historical stranding data for TMMSN,
an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) was officially declared by National Marine Fisheries Service
earlier this week. The event was declared due to the unusually high number of deceased dolphin strandings that have occurred in Galveston and Jefferson counties during late Feb and March 2008.
The number of deceased dolphins recovered by TMMSN since March 1st is now at 68 dolphins.
The total number of deceased dolphins recovered by TMMSN since January 1, 2008 is 116.
The event is still ongoing in Galveston and Jefferson counties to date and we are continuing to
average 3-5 dolphin recoveries each day. A cause for the UME has not yet been determined.
At this point the investigation is in the data collection phase and we are working to respond
to every dolphin reported to collect samples. Thank you to all of the TMMSN volunteers that have
been out with us to assist in these recoveries. We really appreciate all of your hard work!
March 18, 2008:
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Hello TMMSN Supporters,
It has been another extremely busy week for TMMSN. In addition to the code 2 necropsies that were performed by Dr. Cowan last week, we have recovered 42 deceased bottlenose dolphins in the last 15 days. To date, 91 deceased dolphins have been recovered by TMMSN since January 1, 2008. Again, these strandings have been concentrated in Galveston and Jefferson counties. The dolphins are continuing to wash in as late stages of decomposition. An Unusual Mortality Event (UME) Initiation Package was submitted by NOAA to the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program which consults with the “Working Group”, a group of individuals with extensive experience in different fields pertinent to the investigation process. After consideration of the information submitted, the Working Group will make their recommendation to NMFS on whether this will be deemed an official UME. An investigation is already being conducted to try to gain any further information and we will keep you updated with any news or progress on the UME. Also, we just can’t say thank you enough to those of you that are willing and able to continually join us for these recoveries and necropsies. It takes a lot of work to recover that many animals in such a short amount of time and we appreciate your help.
In addition to deceased dolphin recoveries, TMMSN has also been busy with spreading public awareness. After all, it is “Dolphin Awareness Month”! This past Saturday we were able to hold the Galveston City-wide dolphin rescue training on the beach and on the prior weekend we attended and participated with our booth in the NOAA Ocean Discovery Day and Marsh Madness Events. Thank you to everyone that was able to volunteer to pull off these events.
Also, we would like to thank those that responded to our last call for the donation of supplies and funds in order to continue our deceased recoveries. Your supplies came at just the right time and we can’t thank you enough!
March 06, 2008:
TMMSN Volunteers and Members,
The update on stranding stats for Texas is as follows:
Since January 1, 2008 the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network has received reports and recovered
72 deceased bottlenose dolphins from the Texas Coastline. However, over the last 4 days (March 3-6th),
TMMSN has recovered 27 of those deceased dolphins from Galveston, Brazoria and Jefferson counties alone.
Thank you to everyone that has been able to go out with us and assist in the recoveries, necropsies and burials.
We know that it is sometimes unpleasant work but we appreciate your assistance very much. We are still continuing
to take as many samples from the dolphins as possible; however it is somewhat limited since they are washing in on
the beach in extremely decomposed states (code 4, code 5). Please note that the die off has NOT been deemed an
Unusual Mortality Event (UME) like last year although NOAA/NMFS is reviewing the cases closely. We are getting out
on the beaches as much as possible, but if you are going to be near the beach and are able to survey any on your
own that is always helpful.
Stay posted and I will be in touch with an update soon. Thanks again for all of your help during this busy time, we really appreciate it!
March 03, 2008 Update - Dead Dolphin Count Rises to 20
Good evening TMMSN Supporters,
Well, it has been a busy day for TMMSN on the beach today.
We began the morning very early by responding to one deceased dolphin call on Bolivar Peninsula.
As we continued our survey and recovery efforts throughout the day, our final recovery count of deceased dolphins for the day was 16.
There were four more reported that we were not able to get to today but will be out on first thing in the morning.
The deceased dolphins recovered and reported are all bottlenose dolphins from Brazoria, Galveston and Jefferson counties.
They are all found in very late stages of decomposition (Code 4, Code 5) but we are collecting as many samples as possible and completing necropsies on those that can be salvaged.
Samples are being taken on all animals possible for life history and genetics as well.
As you all know, we always refer to “Stranding Season” here in Texas as January through March because of the amount of deceased dolphins that wash ashore.
We have been very busy here in Galveston and Sabine Pass regions over the last two weeks and across the TX coastline since January 1st.
Today was no exception. We will continue in our efforts to recover the animals as soon as we receive reports and gather as much data as possible.
We will be going out in the morning to recover 2 more dolphins that have been reported on the far West end of Galveston Island and in Brazoria County.
If you would like to join us tomorrow to assist with the recoveries, it would be greatly appreciated.
We will be meeting at the NOAA property at 8am. We’ll keep you updated with stranding stats.
Thank you,
Heidi R. Watts
State Operations Coordinator
Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network
5007 Avenue U
Galveston, TX 77551
409-740-4455 office
1-800-9MAMMAL pgr.
email: tmmsn@tamug.edu