Full Text
Gulf World Marine Institute Bay County RESTORE Act Advisory Committee Presentation November 12, 2014 ---PAGE BREAK--- Who Are We? • Gulf World, Inc. • Entertaining and Educating Generations of Bay County Visitors • Responding to marine animal standings since 1970 • Gulf World Marine Institute, Inc. • 501 C status in 2012 – Increased public funding & support • Government Authorized and permitted • NOAA/ NMFS, USFWS/FWC • Locally Trained and Coordinated Rescue Team ---PAGE BREAK--- Who We Work With Staff: • Ron Hardy – Director, Board President • Secret Holmes – Director Operations • Dr. Lydia Staggs – Facility Veterinarian • Stephanie Nagle – Education Coordinator BOARD OF DIRECTORS: • Recognized NWF Community Leaders & Businesses VOLUNTEERS: • Locally Trained Bay County Citizens and Others Working Relationships: • Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network • Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute • Clearwater Marine Aquarium • Auburn University • University of Florida • MOTE Marine Laboratory • Smithsonian Institute • NMFS & FWC • United States Navy • Bay County ---PAGE BREAK--- Where We Work (From Walton to Wakulla County – 200 miles of shoreline) ---PAGE BREAK--- Unusual Mortality Event (UME) • February 2010 – Current • Northern Gulf of Mexico • Louisiana- Florida Panhandle • Samples taken from Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins ---PAGE BREAK--- •Rescue, Rehabilitate & Release •Research & Collaboration •Education/Conservation Our Mission! ---PAGE BREAK--- Mammal Rescues and Responses Rough-toothed Dolphin Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin Dwarf Sperm Whales ---PAGE BREAK--- Sea Turtle Rescues & Recovery In January 2010, 1800 cold-stunned turtles were rescued in St. Joseph Bay, an area stretching just 15 miles wide in NW Florida ---PAGE BREAK--- Turtles in Rehab/Recent Releases Cumin Hatchling ---PAGE BREAK--- Total Estimated Cost - $2,821,000.00 NEW RESCUE CENTER • Projected Building Costs $1,228,500 • Request Bay County 1st Yr $ 500,000 • Match other Funds $ 500,000 • Fundraising, grants • & Donations $ 228,500 • TOTAL $ 1,228,500 Note – Rescue Center staffing , OMB and any renovations/ expansions to be provided by GWMI Funds Already Received - $1,600,000 • Property (Land) $600,000 • Medical Equipment 185,000 • 41 Rehab Pools with 207,000 Pumps, filters, heaters • Supplies & In-kind Services 574,000 • Vehicles 34,000 TOTAL Received $1,600,000 Response/ rehab equipment, supplies and staffing NFWF 1st yr funding Our Proposal ---PAGE BREAK--- Gulf World Marine Institute Rescue Center ---PAGE BREAK--- Ron Hardy, Gulf World Marine Institute, Inc. 15412 Front Beach Road Panama City Beach, FL 32412 ---PAGE BREAK--- Thank You!