Environmental Impact

NOAA Fisheries requirements state that no marine mammal shall be released back into the wild without first being certified healthy and a non-danger to existing populations. That process involves the review of medical records by seventeen (17) marine mammal veterinarians and a permit by NOAA Fisheries. The Marine Mammal Conservancy also insures that release candidates are able to capture their own food and are desensitized to human contact as part of our own release protocols.

Abbreviations:

Personal:
DVM: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
VMD: Veterinary Medical Doctor

Organizations:
FDEP: Florida Department of Environmental Protection
FMP: Florida Marine Patrol
MMC: Marine Mammal Conservancy
MMRF: Marine Mammal Rescue Foundation of the Upper Keys
WRFK: Wildlife Rescue of the Florida Keys
MARS: Marine Animal Rescue Society
DRC: Dolphin Research Center
MMSC: Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey
NMFS: National Marine Fisheries Service
UM: University of Miami Pathology Lab located at the Jackson Memorial Hospital Complex in Miami Florida

General:
LOA: Letter of Agreement issued to organizations by the National Marine Fisheries Service
MM: Mile Marker; The easiest most effective way to identify locations in the Florida Keys. The mile markers are referenced along the Overseas Highway.