Teaching and Inspiring the Public to Protect Whales and Dolphins

Marine Life Studies is a non-profit organization committed to protecting whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife. Our mission is to acquire knowledge, share knowledge and inspire the next generation of whale, dolphin and ocean conservationists. We acquire knowledge through on-going research, share and utilize that knowledge to encourage conservation, and inspire people, especially children, with our educational programs.

Our Research Activities

We research killer whales and other whales and dolphins in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We collect photographic ID’s, along with written data and video footage of animal behavior. Our research:

• Facilitates a better understanding of the animals inhabiting and visiting the bay
• Is shared with other researchers and students
• Provides the baseline data necessary to implement effective conservation strategies
• Is used to develop educational programs 
  

Our Conservation Activities

Our research feeds into ongoing conservation measures. Specific conservation activities include:

• Coordination of W.E.T. (Whale Entanglement Team) for central and northern California. W.E.T. responds to whales entangled in marine debris and provides a toll free public response number (877) SOS-WHALe (767-9425)
• Campaigning about the dangers of plastic pollution and marine debris, such as balloons, and promoting the use of cloth shopping bags and other alternatives to plastic
• Promoting the use of cloth shopping bags and other alternatives to single use disposable plastic with the Plastic Police initiative and "Take it to the Streets" project
  

Our Education Activities

Our educational programs encourage the public, especially children, to learn about and care for our oceans and the whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife that depend on it. Specific programs include:

• Junior Research Scientist Program, teaching children the skills required to be a marine researcher
• Free programs for children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County
• Programs on topics such as whales and dolphins, marine debris, whale entanglement and pollution