They really do save the whales!

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine really does save whales, dolphins, seals and turtles.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine has “responded to over 3,433 strandings of whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles that have washed ashore” since it started in 1978. That number encompasses a range of animals, from a 5 lb Kemps Ridley sea turtle up to a 25 ton Humpback whale. Their brochure and website has that and many more facts for all interested in the sea creatures of NJ and their welfare.

The MMSC rehabilitates and releases the animals they care for, while being able to study animals that aren’t always easily available to study.

The animals they care for can have a range of injuries from boats, sharks, plastic marine trash, infections and other problems. The animals are sent to the ICU building and treated, then they move to an individual pen, then to a pool to be reacquainted with the water before next being released.

Mike Ezawa is a 20-year-old who is soft spoken and attentive, and works at the MMSC. “I like the opportunity to assist in rehabing marine mammals, in any way I can,” he said. He has worked there for 2 years. “There was this one Gray seal last winter, who was very vocal. He was so active and vocal it was interesting to see how he progressed from being sick to getting better.”

So far in Nov. they have rescued a male Harbor seal and a female Harbor seal, a Green Sea turtle, and a dead Florida Manatee washed up in the Deleware River and the MMSC responded.

Seals that are released are also tagged so they can be tracked. Some tagged seals go on long journeys, but others stay local and the staff at MMSC learn their habits. The MMSC just put up a program where you can see the movements of the tagged seal that they released on Dec. 1.

In New Jersey, there are many visiting seals. You could see Harbor seals, which are the most common, Gray seals, which are less common but regular visitors, Harp seals, which are arctic seals from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Hooded seals, which are also arctic seals that are nomadic and wander to Florida or California, and Ringed seals which are another common arctic seal.

Seals look adorable with their big dark eyes looking up at you and their slick furred bodies that somehow remind one of a chubby puppy, but they aren’t all cuddly. Just like other wild animals, they can be dangerous and while watching them is wonderful, the workers at the MMSC warn everyone to give them their space. Maurice, one of the staff members, warned that you can get blood poisoning from a seal bite.

On Aug. 30, the MMSC got word of  ”a seal being pushed around on a surfboard” in Ocean City. It turns out the seal had hauled itself up onto an empty surfboard, and someone had decided to swim over and push it around. The seal already had a tag and staff drew the conclusion that it was more at ease with people because it had been rehabilitated at a facility at one time. Their newsletter and brochure mention incidents like this to educate about the animals and also warn the public of the dangers associated with seals and other wild animals.

There are also a variety of turtles that frequent NJ’s shores. The turtles come into NJ waters from late May to November, traveling up the coast to Cape Cod area. You could see Loggerhead turtles, which are the most common, Leatherback turtles which could grow up to 10 feet, Kemps Ridley turtles, which are small and the most endangered sea turtle, and Green turtles. Green turtles are rare, but have been seen occasionally.

Going back to the save the environment and why motivation, “plastic pollution kills and maims countless marine animals each year.  When ingested, plastic bags and balloons can kill sea turtles and marine animals” mentioned the MMSC brochure. It also begs people to “do your part in keeping the marine environment clean by discarding plastic in a proper manner, including 6 pack rings, fishing line, balloons and plastic bags.”

Ezawa talked about the “Go Green” movement that is becoming big today. “I think it is important. While it seems [now]  like a big deal to buy eco-friendly items, it is really an investment into our future  and into the planet. That is critical.”

There was a poster/chart in their  shop showing different marine trash and just how long it takes to biodegrade. A newspaper takes 6 weeks, a cardboard box and an apple core 2 months.  A biodegradable diaper or a wool glove takes 1 year, and plywood takes 1-3 years.

Ready? Brace yourself. A painted stick/piece of wood takes 13 years to biodegrade, and a tin can and Styrofoam cups takes 50 years. An aluminum can takes 200 years, and a plastic 6 pack ring takes 400 years. A disposable diaper takes 450 years, and monofilament fishing line takes 600 years.

“There are a lot of issues with garbage pollution, especially with plastic bags,” Ezawa said about keeping the coastal environment clean today. “The bags can choke animals, and fishing gear can too. The animals are easily susceptible to that and also chemical pollutants that can build up in their blubber and harm them.”

What about beach clean-ups and other little local efforts to clean up the marine environment? “Every little bit does help,” Ezawa said. “It builds up all the actions [of all the people] and adds up to help clean up the oceans.”

If that isn’t motivation to do beach clean ups, and make sure trash doesn’t end up in the ocean, than what is? And if you check out their brochures or website, the  sad pictures of seals with fishing line about their necks or turtles caught in plastic definitely will.

If you see a marine animal injured, stranded or in trouble in NJ, call the MMSC at 609-266-0538.

logo from http://www.jerseyboardwalk.com/mmsc.htm