IMMS talks stranding season

First responders and local law enforcement from eight agencies in our three Coastal counties took a walk on the wild side today at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport.

- - first responders and local law- enforcement - took a walk on the wild side- today at the institute for- marine mammal studies, or imms,- in gulfport.- but, as news 25's toni miles- shows us, the mission is a- serious one.- - < nats >- the dolphins at imms put on - quite the show...thrilling- the crowd...but it isn't always- fun and games here at this- gulfport research - facility...especially as we hea- into late february, also known- - - - as stranding season for area- marine life.- <nats>- you may be surprised to learn - that south mississippi's first- responders, including local - firefighters are often on the - front lines.- chief hyler krebs, pascagoula - fire department: " a lot- of people don't know exactly wh- to call when they do find one o- these animals, so - they reach out to the local - agencies, like the pascagoula - fire department, or any - fire department, and the police- department, and we have the - - - - knowledge now that they've- trained us to go pick them up."- and that's just what this annua- gathering is all about.

- better equipping the coast's- eight coastal agencies that - answer the- call to aid stranded, injured - and even dead marine- animals.- dr. moby solangi, imms presiden- and executive director: " all o- us- together on the gulf coast are- working together, so once a yea- we get together - to make sure since the strandin- season is coming to see what we- should do and - what we shouldn't do."- toni miles, news 25: " many at- thursday's meeting are literal- life lines for- stranded and injured marine - life, many of which end up here- - - - at imms to be studied, rehabbed- and to gather important - information."

- dr. moby solangi, imms presiden- and executive director: " last- year, due to the bonnet carre - spillway, we had the largest- number of - dolphin deaths in history.

We - had over 155 dolphins.

We had - over 200 turtles.

It's- concerning.

We want to make sur- - we had other fishery losses,- oysters, shrimp, blue - crab, and our tourism suffered.- it is important we use these as- a barometer,- then we can predict what we can- expect later on."

- while these first responders ar- often on the front lines, you - don't necessarily have to wear - badge or a gun to pitch - in!

- dr. melissa cook, noaa- fisheries, pascagoula, sea- turtle stranding- coordinator, ms: "take photos o- the animal.

Get the location, - because - without knowing exactly where t- go, gps coordinates are really- very helpful, and - call the stranding hotline."- in gulfport, toni miles, news - 25.

- - - - - and if you happen to spot an- injured, stranded or- even dead sea turtle, dolphin,- or other form of marine life, - - - - you can call i-m-m-s at 228-896- 9182 ... or noaa at - 228-369-4796.