Hello New Brunswick Environmental Network!
The Marine Animal Response Society is a charitable organization dedicated to marine animal conservation in the Maritime Provinces through research, engagement and responding to incidents involving marine animals such as whales, dolphins and seals. We operate the only toll-free incident reporting hotline for the Maritimes, offering communities access to expert advice on dead or distressed marine animals. This includes live animals that are observed entangled, found alive on beaches, or find themselves in odd locations like up rivers. As well, it includes animals that are found dead, floating at sea or on beaches, for which it is highly desired to determine why it died via a necropsy (an animal autopsy). Our goal is to build relationships so we can work together to protect marine animals and our ocean ecosystem.
Our work to assist and better understand these animals cannot succeed without the help of local communities and the dedicated folks who report animal incidents to our hotline, so we’re asking for your help! Though your interests may not focus on marine animals, your environmental endeavors may bring you to ecosystems that overlap with them.
If you come across a dead or distressed marine animal, please call our hotline:
1-866-567-6277
Additionally, we are looking for folks to join our MARS Response Support Network who may be willing to share resources to increase our capacity for response.
Depending on the species and the type of incident, response can involve the need for transportation on both land and sea requiring access to vehicles and vessels. In addition, access to heavy equipment such as excavators to move dead animals or freezers for storage of animals awaiting pickup are critical. This response support network is a critical component of MARS’ ability to respond to incidents of marine animals around the Maritimes and we’re hoping to learn about individuals and organizations that may be willing to help.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about our organization, the MARS Response Support Network, or would like educational materials! I can be reached at:
Thank you for your time,
Krista Bouwman
@marineanimalresponsesociety
