The Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation (DMMRC) at HBOI has multifaceted biomedical research, education and conservation programs involving various marine mammal species. Present research programs are documenting the cause of marine mammal strandings, the effects of harmful algal bloom biotoxins and the identification of emerging diseases in these species. Special emphasis is placed on the study of the gross and histopathologic characterization of diseases of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that inhabit the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), photo identification data has documented an increased incidence of a varied assortment of skin lesions in dolphins that suggest infectious, toxic and human-related etiologies.

HARBOR BRANCH MARINE MAMMAL LINKS • THE HARBOR BRANCH MARINE MAMMAL DIVISION • Official Protect Wild Dolphins License Tag website -        www.protectwilddolphins.org • Official Protect Florida Whales License Tag website - www.protectfloridawhales.org • FEATURE STORY - HBOI Vet Assists In Manatee Airlift • FEATURE STORY - Virus Threatens Florida Manatees • FEATURE STORY - Dolphin Phillipe (C-6) - Rescue, Recovery, Release AQUACULTURE RESEARCH • MARINE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH • OCEAN ENGINEERING • MARINE SCIENCE MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH & CONSERVATION • MARINE OPERATIONS