OCEAN CITY – Staff from the National Aquarium Animal Rescue program was joined by volunteers last Friday for the annual Maryland Dolphin Count. This year, 33 dolphins were sighted. Visibility was low due to large swells, which may have contributed to the low count.
Around 30 volunteers of all ages and came out between 8-11 a.m. to help record dolphin sightings at three locations along the Eastern Shore of Maryland — Assateague State Park Day Use Area, 40th Street in Ocean City and 130th Street in Ocean City.
Annual dolphin counts help marine mammal specialists capture a snapshot look at dolphin populations, reproduction rates and ocean health. Looking at the population numbers over the years can help to determine the health of the coastal ecosystem as well as the abundance of prey.
During the 2014 dolphin count, 53 dolphins were recorded, which was lower than expected, most likely due to dense fog in the area. In 2013, 113 dolphins were recorded, which was relatively normal.
“The entire team from the National Aquarium is incredibly thankful to all the volunteers who joined us for this year’s Dolphin Count,” said Jennifer Dittmar, Animal Rescue Program Stranding Coordinator.
Prior to the annual count, an annual fundraiser was held at Seacrets: Jamaica USA where $4,500 was raised for the National Aquarium Animal Rescue Program.
Since 1991, the National Aquarium Animal Rescue Program has been responsible for responding to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles along the Delmarva Peninsula, primarily along the nearly 7,000 miles of coastline in Maryland, including the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coasts.
The Animal Rescue Program has responded to 711 animals in distress and has rehabilitated and released 153 marine animals back to their natural environment. Many of these animals are endangered or threatened, so every individual introduced back into the natural environment has the opportunity to add to the genetic diversity of the species. All species of marine mammals are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and all seven species of sea turtles are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Research, satellite tracking and outreach education are also significant components of the Animal Rescue Program.
For more information on National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program and how the general public can assist with rescue efforts, visit http://aqua.org/care.