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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

Whale Entanglement Team (W.E.T.)

 

 

 

California W.E.T. (Whale Entanglement Team) is a group of marine mammal professionals and volunteers under the direction of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources. W.E.T. is tasked with responding to whales entangled in fishing gear and marine debris. These highly trained and experienced teams include marine biologists, veterinarians, mariners, and other volunteers coordinating with several governmental agencies including NMFS, NOAA Enforcement, US Coast Guard, and state agencies under the authority of the Marine Mammal.

 

Entangled Whale Hot-line:

(877) SOS-WHALE (767-9425)

 

Ocean users play an important role in efforts to save whales in distress from pain, deformity, and death. 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.

 

Prompt reporting is the best way to help the distressed animal. Standing by until responders can arrive is so important. If not able to standby, it is so valuable to get the exact location (latitude and longitude if possible), direction of travel, and description of gear (color of buoys, etc.). If possible take photos and/or video of the animal but please do not approach to animal - stay at least 150 to 200 yards away.

 

 

Amber_WET_PSA2012Actress and activist Amber Valletta joins the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at the BLUE Ocean Film Festival in Monterey, California, September 26 – 28, 2012 to raise awareness of entangled whales in California. Marine Life Studies along with Fluke Foundation were instrumental in formalizing the Whale Entanglement Team known as W.E.T. to disentangle whales from marine debris and fishing lines. The PSA by IFAW will air throughout California.

 

New Public Service Announcement by IFAW: CLICK HERE TO VIEW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Anchor Cheryl Jennings of ABC 7/KGO TV joined the Whale Entanglement Team in November 2010. Watch the Video. 


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We are distributing the Response and Reporting Card to boaters. If interested in a water-proof card for your boat please contact us.

 

 

W.E.T. Handout for Response and Reporting Card

 

 

Download a pdf of the Response and Reporting Card.

 

  W.E.T. Handout for Response and Reporting Card

Please call (877) SOS-WHALE immediately to report an entangled whale, dolphin or other marine mammal.
120418_Er_entangle_up 120418_Er_entangle_down

 

 

 

Marine Life Studies coordinated a hands-on water training for W.E.T. in December.

Cheryl McCormick, Executive Director of the American Cetacean Society (ACS), joined us.

The article about W.E.T. is now available on page 5. 

 PDF file 12 pages "Spyhopper, ACS Newsletter