The Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network received two whale flotation pontoons on Friday, June 5. This specialized equipment was funded through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and provided by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue. It can assist in rescuing stranded medium-sized whales.

The Sea Lab is one of four organizations selected to receive the pontoons as part of a regional preparedness effort to ensure equipment is accessible across the Gulf of America. Other recipients include Mote Marine Laboratory, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

James Mckenzie, area coordinator for Fife Stirling Shire, and Martin Boon, Diver Marine Life Rescue Trustee, delivered the pontoons and provided training to DISL/ALMMSN personnel and partners from the Audubon Aquarium Rescue Team from New Orleans, Louisiana. The training was a collaboration with the BDMLR and the Southeast United States Regional Stranding Network, of which ALMMSN is a member.

The pontoons are engineered to lift up to five tons and provide critical support for medium-sized whale stranding responses. Along with the pontoons, the ALMMSN received two inflatable whales to assist in future trainings.

“It is a testament to the hard work and two decades of capacity building on the part of the State of Alabama that DISL and ALMMSN were selected to house this leading edge equipment as representatives for our region. We look forward to continuing to serving as stewards of marine mammal stranding response and conservation in the northern Gulf.”

The Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network responds to reports of stranded marine mammals along the Alabama coast, provides mutual aid to stranding network partners, and supports basic and applied marine mammal science. To report a stranded marine mammal, contact 1-877-WHALE-HELP.