July 25,2007


VICTORY FOR MARINE MAMMALS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY

After a decade of efforts by Marine Animal Rescue (MAR) (formerly Whale
Rescue Team), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has now
agreed that there is a need, and has decided to authorize, a second
marine mammal care facility in Los Angeles County.

In a letter addressed to Peter Wallerstein of Friends of Animals,
Marine Animal Rescue the NMFS states, “Thank you for your letter
requesting that NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service consider
authorizing a second facility to rehabilitate stranded marine mammals
in Los Angeles County". Further, “Within the next few months, the
NMFS-SWR will post a message on the MARMAM list server announcing that
we will be accepting applications for the construction of a second
rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles County.”

Each year during the spring, many sea lions suffering from domoic acid
poisoning are left on the beach due to the limited capacity at Fort
McArthur Marine Mammal Care Center, Los Angeles County’s only marine
care center. A second facility would ease the strain on the Fort
McArthur Center and allow a more rapid critical care for sick or
injured animals throughout the county.

MAR’s team of marine mammal specialists has already gathered
veterinarians, marine biologists, and business professionals to
complete the federal application. MAR continues to receive a great deal
of support from local government officials. In 2005, Supervisor Don
Knabe directed the Beaches and Harbors department to locate properties
suitable for a second marine care facility. Such a piece of property
was located for MAR to construct and operate a second marine care
facility. The property is strategically situated to maximize prompt
care of sick or injured animals.

MAR’s twenty year proven track record of responding to sick or injured
marine mammals in LA County, its ability to encourage public
participation, plus its solid proposal uniting veterinarians, marine
life professionals, construction companies and businesses, makes it the
perfect candidate to receive this authorization.

Many thanks are expressed to NMFS Regional Director, Mr. Rodney McInnis
for his thorough appraisal of the situation and his vision in
authorizing a second marine mammal care facility in Los Angeles County.

Most importantly, no matter who receives this authorization, the sick,
injured or orphaned marine mammals in Los Angeles County will benefit
for decades to come. The days of a single over-crowded marine care
facility that forces rescuers to leave suffering animals on the beach
will soon be history.

This is a major victory for marine wildlife in Los Angeles County.

Peter Wallerstein
Marine Animal Rescue
Friends of Animals
www.friendsofanimals.org