Kate Spencer, member of the entanglement network and owner of Fast Raft Ocean Safaris, was first on scene and Marine Life Studies' Whale Entanglement Team (WET)® arrived shortly thereafter in our Whale Rescue Research Vessel. WET℠ crew included Stephanie Marcos, Winnie Mulé, Connie Sanchez, Serge McCabe Verriele, and Peggy Stap. 

Marine Life Studies is celebrating 10-years of teaching children and adults how to protect marine life. The organization’s specialty is teaching others how to become better stewards of our oceans through inspirational education and real-life experiences on the water.

Executive Director Peggy Stap saw whales for the first time on a visit to Maui more than two decades ago. “It was a life-changing experience,” says Stap. The Midwesterner from Michigan knew she had found her life’s calling. Stap founded Marine Life Studies in 2006 to “help the world understand and protect the amazing creatures she first observed in Hawaii.”  She realized a younger generation had the chance to better understand the importance of ocean ecology.  “If children are taught early on how to become good stewards of our oceans then the animals and environment entrusted to us will survive,” says Stap.

Doug was a talented artist, friend, valuable member of our Marine Life Studies' family, and great advocate for all marine mammals and our ocean. He was known for his passion to rescue marine life. Unfortunately, he passed away in December 2016 at the age of 55. He was a gift to all of us and his presence made a difference. Doug left a very large footprint in all of our lives and a legacy that very few people can claim. We were blessed and honored to have Doug as a friend and team member.

First, we would like to thank you for all you have done to help save whales over the years. It truly is a community effort to save whales from life-threatening entanglements. None of which would happen without you and your support. People ask me what the hardest part of disentangling a whale, and I tell them “raising the funds”, as whale disentanglement is costly. You have to be at the ready, properly trained, and have all the equipment function properly. From all of us at Marine Life Studies’ WET®, we want to send our heartfelt thanks and appreciation. We know that it is you, the donor, that is the real hero that helps save these whales.

Peggy Stap, Founding Director of Marine Life Studies and the Whale Entanglement Team (WET)®