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Covering Florida’s Coastline
Covering Florida’s Coastline
2002
As members of the NOAA-sponsored US stranding response team since its formation in 2002, our team provides emergency stranding response for 40% of Florida’s east coast. This portion of Florida includes Brevard County, a stranding hot-spot with more than twice the number of strandings than any other Florida county. Read more
Seagrass – a Favorite for Sea Cows
Seagrass – a Favorite for Sea Cows
2003
Using samples from rescued manatees in SeaWorld and wildlife populations, researchers conducted the first isotope analysis to determine a manatee’s diet. By comparing diets from different populations, we could assess precisely what manatees eat in the wild, giving insights to prevent starvation.
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Dolphin Re-Count
Dolphin Re-Count
2004
After 30 years, HSWRI’s team did a follow-up survey of dolphin populations in the Indian River Lagoon. Long-term monitoring of abundance and distribution is essential to understand ecological degradation effects on the species.
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A Seal’s Dinner Bell
A Seal’s Dinner Bell
2005
For years, researchers tagged fish with acoustic pingers, but could these pings signal to marine mammals that food is nearby? With the help of SeaWorld, we discovered what marine mammals could hear.
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The Tail Behind “Dolphin Tale”
The Tail Behind “Dolphin Tale”
2005
HSWRI’s Marine Mammal Stranding Team and other animal care experts struggled for almost an entire day to save the life of Winter, the dolphin featured in Dolphin Tale. Winter was a severely injured dolphin stranded off the Florida coast and received breakthrough medical care that allowed her to swim with a prosthetic tail.
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Goodbye to the Baiji
Goodbye to the Baiji
2006
Our researchers surveyed China’s Yangtze River in search of the rare Baiji dolphin and Yangtze finless porpoise. Unfortunately, we didn’t find any Baiji making this animal the first cetacean species to be driven to extinction by human activity. Is the Yangtze finless porpoise next?
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Let’s Give A Hoot
Let’s Give A Hoot
2007
After researching the endangered northern spotted owl, our researchers discovered fewer baby owls in nests close to busy roads, proving the negative impact of human noise on wildlife.
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From Spawn to Table
From Spawn to Table
2007
California yellowtail, known as hiramasa on the market, is a highly desirable fish for sports anglers and restaurants alike. HSWRI researchers were the first to successfully spawn and rear the larvae of California yellowtail.
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Toxic Red Tides
Toxic Red Tides
2008
Between October 2007 through January 2008, researchers documented the first mass mortality of bottlenose dolphins and Florida manatees caused by a severe bloom of the toxic algae along the eastern coast of Florida. Red tides were first considered rare but are now annual events along Florida’s coasts.
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Can humans and sea lions share germs?
Can humans and sea lions share germs?
2010
Yes – HSWRI discovered an astrovirus in marine mammals with evidence that the virus passed between humans and sea lions.
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Can a Ping Prevent Entanglement?
Can a Ping Prevent Entanglement?
2010
By utilizing SeaWorld’s unparalleled zoological collection of marine mammals, HSWRI researchers tested acoustic pingers to prevent marine mammal entanglements with fishing nets and lines – and the results were striking!
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Inspiring The Next Generation
Inspiring The Next Generation
2010
Through our hands-on aquaculture program, “Seabass in the Classroom,” we have promoted STEM learning in 13 California schools, serving 2,650 students and releasing over 3,200 seabass.
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Pioneers in Penguin Observation
Pioneers in Penguin Observation
2012
HSWRI’s researchers were pioneers in using quadcopter drones equipped with high-resolution cameras for wildlife population surveys. For the first time, researchers were able to count and analyze penguin colonies without disturbing the penguins’ natural behavior.
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Spawn of A New Species
Spawn of A New Species
2016
Building on our success with white seabass, HSWRI began raising California halibut to replenish depleted native stocks.
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COVID’s Effect on Field Work
COVID’s Effect on Field Work
2020
The global pandemic interrupted everyone’s lives, including our researchers and their projects. As the pandemic spread, we saw gaps in long-term population assessments (penguins, elephant seals, dolphins, etc.)
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Integrated Aquaculture – A Winning Combination
Integrated Aquaculture – A Winning Combination
2020
By creating an integrated system that uses fish effluent to raise seaweed and invertebrates, we can naturally recycle nutrients and reduce fish waste during the aquaculture process.
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Success for Seabass Replenishment
Success for Seabass Replenishment
2022
After a genetic analysis, HSWRI researchers discovered that the white seabass replenishment program might be much more successful than tag recovery initially indicated.
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Dolphin Families Stick Together
Dolphin Families Stick Together
2022
A ten-year study found that juvenile bottlenose dolphins maintain social ties with other dolphins, from calves to juveniles, with especially strong ties with their mothers and siblings.
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