Dolphin Conservation Field Station

06/2008: Dolphin Conservation Field Station at Marineland

Photo provided by Marineland

Marineland is known as the World’s first Oceanarium which opened in 1938. This “window to the sea” was a pioneering effort that paved the way for an increased understanding of marine life. Bottlenose dolphins were some of the first animals to gain attention from the public while at Marineland and caretakers quickly became experts of dolphin care and biology.

In that same spirit, now 70 years later, Marineland is again embarking on a new chapter to champion this familiar ocean mammal. In April of 2008 The Dolphin Conservation Field Station (DCFS) was established as a collaborative venture between The Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Georgia, and The Dolphin Conservation Center at Marineland, Marineland Florida. The DCFS is a non-profit organization that “is dedicated to research, rescue, rehabilitation and release of dolphins and small whales in Northeast Florida.”

Being located in the town of Marineland will be quite beneficial as this section of coastline has more marine mammal stranding activity than the entire gulf coast of Florida. Working as one of many state and national Stranding Network Participants (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/networks.htm), the Dolphin Conservation Field Station will primarily cover the Intracoastal and Atlantic waterways of Flagler County. Research involving photo identification will also be conducted to learn more about local dolphin populations in the area.

With over 17 years of marine mammal care and stranding experience, George Biedenbach joins Marineland as the Director of Conservation Programs which will manage the DCFS. The new facilities are expected to be completed by January of 2009 which will also include a website dedicated to these conservation efforts.