Mote receives NOAA grant

+ Mote receives NOAA grant
Mote Marine Laboratory recently received a $99,615 grand for its dolphin and whale rehabilitation efforts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The grant was one of 35 awards totaling $2.7 million that NOAA awarded in the 2014 cycle of its John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Assistance Grant Program.

The grant will support operations, equipments and other key needs of Mote’s rescue and rehabilitation programs, such as travel to distant rescue sites. Mote will also use the funds to purchase a portable X-ray unit, which will help responders in the field to determine whether an animal can be released immediately or needs further treatment.

This year alone, Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program and animal hospitals have responded to more than 80 stranded sea turtles and 40 stranded marine mammals.