Marine Mammal Research
Hannah
Experience Information
Employer: Institute for Marine Mammal Studies
Job Title: Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Internship
Major: Biology
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: No
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies is a non-profit organization in Gulfport, MS. It is a relative small facility that accomplishes leaps and bounds in the fields of marine mammal and sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation and research.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Principle Duties include: data entry, searching and cataloging journal articles, learning all research protocols, cropping and sorting photo-id fin images, learning to use photo-id programs such as Darwin (fin matching software), and FinBase (Microsoft Access), boat based field research (21ý and 31ý boats), and learn how to use ArcGIS Secondary Duties involve: Assisting with animal care staff, attending marine mammal necropsies, responding to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, and assisting with educational tours. Field days: Interns must be able to spend many hours on the water and on shore in sometimes extreme seasonal conditions. Seasonal temperatures range from over 100 °F in summer to 30 °F in winter. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur at least two or three times a week.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I gained skills in small boater safety, taking water quality samples, marine mammal photo-identification, marine mammal & sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation and release.
Favorite Part of the Experience
I was apart of a rescue response team to the stranding of two pygmy killer whales, a rare species to be found near the Mississippi Sound. It was an unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
I have been working towards gaining experience in the field of marine biology for a year or two, this helped me create strong connections in the field and reaffirm this was the right career path for me.