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    BEFORE YOU TAKE IT TO THE BEACH.... TAKE IT TO THE STREETS™ Volunteer for Marine Life Studies Take It To The Streets™ Community Cleanup in Monterey, California Monterey, California: Every Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm. Meet at 11 am at Randy's Fishing & Whale Watching Trips at Old Fisherma...
Peggy Stap presents film, Ocean Odyssey, to raise funds for the Jeremy Montes Tap Out Leukemia Foundation.   Jeremy Montes Jr. is a brave young man fighting for his life. Please join us for a wonderful evening to help support Jeremy. Click here for PDF of event.   Ocean Odyssey...
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA (September 2012) – In the spring of 2011, as part of the National Geographic Society’s Ocean Initiative and Education Programs, Marine Life Studies received a grant to create a field guide about ocean conservation and marine mammals for the central California coast. This was par...
  Please report injured, entangled, and ship-struck whale concerns to the 24/7 W.E.T. hot-line at (877) SOS-WHALE (767-9425) or hail the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF CH-16.   Read more about our Whale Entanglement Team (W.E.T.)    
View the new ocean users’ guide developed by Marine Life Studies, “Marine Mammals of Northern California”. In the spring of 2011, as part of National Geographic Society's Ocean Initiative and Education Programs, Marine Life Studies was awarded a grant to create a field guide about ocean conservat...
    Read all about Whiskie the Whale Spotter™ in the Monterey County Weekly, and her life as a Whale Spotting Dog.   "I am fascinated with whales and dolphins so I am very glad I chose Peggy Stap to be my owner as she works with these animals. When she came looking for a dog at a pet rescue c...
    Amanda's Whale Tales from the Field...Monterey Bay. Whales and dolphins can be seen in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary year-round. Click picture to read all about Amanda's exciting adventures.   Many species of whales, dolphins, porpoises and other marine mammals can be seen in...
    Peggy Stap taking identification photo of Orca. Researchers take picture of the dorsal fin and the saddle patch to identify individual animals. Photo © Martijn StiphoutPorpoising Orcas in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Photo © Peggy Stap

Our Mission

MLS_Logo_Website

Teaching and Inspiring the Public to Protect Whales and Dolphins


Our Mission

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 plastic bags, promote the development and use of alternatives to single use disposable plastic with our initiative, Plastic Police
  • Partnership with the California Department of Health Services in water collection for their public Health Program along the coast
  • Pro-active conservation program “Take it to the Streets™” to work on the source of pollution by picking up trash at local malls, schools, parks, etc. elimin

 

 

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