Oil spills can have both short-term and long-term effects on marine mammals.  Externally, oil and other chemicals can cause irritation to the animal’s eyes and mouth, increasing the chances for secondary infections.  On baleen whales, oil can foul the baleen, limiting the animal’s ability to feed. Baleen serves as a filtering structure in the mouths of certain whales which they use to sieve out small animals from large mouthfuls of seawater.   Internally, the inhalation of oil and other chemicals can cause mild to severe respiratory infections, while the consumption of fouled foods can contribute to gastrointestinal infections, ulcers, bleeding, and diarrhea.  The absorption of the inhaled and ingested chemicals can cause liver and kidney damage, possibly leading to anemia and immune suppression, as well as damage to the reproductive systems.

If you’re interested in helping with any strandings, please sign up for our mailing list.  Additionally, MMC is currently offering several training classes designed to help prepare our volunteers for stranding events (http://marinemammalconservancy.org/upcoming-events/scheduled-training-courses).  Even with no animals currently requiring aid, there are plenty of projects underway that need volunteer assistance.  MMC always needs help with on-site projects and fundraising opportunities.  If you’re interested in helping, please contact us at Info@MarineMammalConservancy.org.  For fundraising, please contact Kathy@MarineMammalConservancy.org.

Presented by the Marine Mammal Conservancy

Tuesday, May 11 @ 8pm

On March 2nd, 2005 over 80 rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) stranded themselves on the sand flats off of Marathon, Florida with little hope of survival.  Some were able to maneuver back into deep water, but many more were sick, trapped, dehydrated, and beaten by the surf.  The Marine Mammal Conservancy (MMC), along with help from other local agencies, responded to the animals in distress with darkness approaching.  Dolphins in Distress is a documentary that chronicles the rescue, rehabilitation and eventual release of the survivors of this mass stranding event.

This film was made by Bob Care exclusively for the Marine Mammal Conservancy.  © BC Productions

• MBC Member – $7.00 with or without Non Member Guest(s)
• MBC Member – $7.00 with MBC Member Guest(s)
• MIFF Member – $7.00 (with code)
• Non-Member – $10.00 (become a member and get a discount!)
• Senior – $8.00 (62 and over)
• Student – $8.00 (with current ID)

Visit the Miami Beach Film Society website for more information.

Executive Chef John Critchley

Following a tour of MMC’s property and a presentation of MMC’s construction plans,  Chef John and his wife then visited Dolphins Plus and enjoyed a personal one-on-one experience with Castaway, an offshore Bottlenose dolphin rehabilitated by MMC who now lives at Dolphins Plus because she is deaf and cannot be released back into the wild.

Area 31 is the breathtaking restaurant on the 16th floor of Kimpton’s EPIC Hotel.  The restaurant features seafood from its namesake region Fishing Area 31, the ecologically sound marine waters of the Western Central Atlantic that includes the entire Florida coast, Central America and northern South America. All fish are short line caught while farm raised are farmed in sustainable waters.

Executive Chef John Critchley  launched a daily prix-fixe menu from the unique sustainable seafood locally caught in the regional waters of Area 31, and Area 31 has committed a portion of proceeds of this menu to the Marine Mammal Conservancy.

Members of the Board of Directors and staff of MMC recently visited Area 31 and enjoyed a special dining experience, including the pri-fixe menu and other selections from the unique and extraordinary menu.  Our vantage point from the private dining room gave us a breathtaking view down Brickell Boulevard into the lights of the city of Miami.

Area 31’s generosity will support the Marine Mammal Conservancy’s rescue and rehabilitation work with dolphins and whales and its research and education about marine mammals and the oceans in which they live.

Area 31 is located on the 16th floor of the Epic Hotel.  The address is:

270 Biscayne Boulevard Way
Miami, Florida 33131

Telephone: (305)424-5234

The dining experience at Area 31 includes indoor and outdoor seating options, infinity-poolside casitas, cabanas,  balcony couches, and a private dining room. Area 31 graciously removes you from the hustle and bustle of the streets of Miami and transforms your day to a unique and tranquil dining experience.

While Area 31’s menu is modified regularly due to careful fishing techniques, guests can expect similar selections from the five-course tasting menu, such as Smoked Kingfish Croquettes; Whitewater Clams; and Seared Texas Redfish. The sustainable seafood menu, which includes a glass of organic wine, is offered during their dinner service for $50 per person (excluding tax and gratuity).

Visit MMC and enjoy a special dining experience while you support MMC!

Visit www.area31restaurant.com for more information about the dining experience at Area 31 Restaurant.

MMC is grateful to Show Management, Inc. for its generosity in donating a booth to Marine Mammal Conservancy, Inc. and supporting our work with dolphins and whales.  Our heartfelt thanks also go out to all of the wonderful people and organizations who offered their support and will be joining our all volunteer efforts to save marine mammals in distress and the oceans they inhabit.  Stay tuned to learn more about our new partners.

Last, but not least, thank you to our extraordinary volunteers who give selflessly of their time and talents.

Robert Lingenfelser, President of MMC was recently selected from 7000 nominees to be in the top 10 finalists for Animal Planet’s Hero of the Year Award.  Robert dedicates his life to his passion for rescuing and rehabilitating dolphins and whales and contributing to the science of marine mammals.  Robert’s work on behalf of marine mammals and the Marine Mammal Conservancy, Inc. which he co-founded, consumes the majority of his days – - and virtually all of his time when MMC has an animal (or animals) in rescue or rehabilitation.  All of Robert’s work is volunteered.

Animal Planet has selected Robert as one of 10 finalists from 7,000 nominees for the Animal Planet “Hero of the Year” contest.  This award is given to an individual who has devoted himself to a cause that has a positive impact on the welfare of animals.  Robert’s work has more than just a positive impact on the welfare of animals. Without Robert and people like him, there would be no alternative to euthanasia for stranded and injured dolphins and whales.  With the help of a team of volunteers who stand ready to help at a moment’s notice, Robert has led MMC to become one of the best marine mammal response organizations in the world.  The research MMC provides contributes to scientists’ knowledge about marine mammal species that are not able to be studied on a regular basis.  This information is vital to the survival of our oceans.  Robert Lingenfelser’s leadership and selfless dedication make these contributions happen.  He is a teacher and mentor to the staff and volunteers of MMC that he recruits and trains to make sure that MMC can respond to the needs of marine mammals today and long into the future.  His dedication is trumped only by his love for the dolphins and whales to who he has dedicated his life’s service.

The main prize for winning this award is a donation of $10,000 to the animal welfare organization of the winner’s choice.  Part of the decision on the winner of the award will be based on the results of People’s Choice voting, completed on September 27, 2009.

Thank you all for your support of Robert and the Marine Mammal Conservancy!

The  Animal Planet ‘’Hero of the Year’’ contest is presented by the makers of Fresh Step ® litter.