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Wildlife

Protect Wild Dolphins

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Prompted by rising concerns about the well-being of dolphins along our shores, the Foundation launched the Palm Beach Dolphin Project in 2003. Working under National Marine Fisheries Service permits, the Palm Beach Dolphin Project is the flagship conservation research program of the Foundation. We explore the life history, behavior, habitat use, social lives, and communication of wild dolphins. In addition to gathering critical baseline data, we shed light on how the health of these top predators, and the conditions of the natural resources they depend upon, directly and indirectly, impact our own health and well-being. The project continuously produces new insights into the lives of wild bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins using a variety of research techniques including boat surveys, photo identification, GIS mapping, and employment of drones. As of 2020, we have identified more than 600 bottlenose and spotted dolphins, many of which are seen regularly in our coastal waters.

Adopting a dolphin is an easy and effective way to support our research and conservation efforts. It is the perfect gift for yourself or that special someone. It is meaningful and lasting. It helps protect these wonderful, intelligent creatures and the world they live in, and it allows you to follow the life of your dolphin, learn about the community he lives in, the places he travels.

For more information on how to participate as a volunteer, intern or research assistant, and how to join our Ocean Sentinels Club and become a dolphin advocate, contact our Research Director Barbara Brunnick, Ph.D. In his essay Dr. Harzen provides a more detailed rationale of why it is important to study dolphins.

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Stop Ocean Littering

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We use our research to illustrate how ocean litter, especially plastics, threatens marine life and our own health. The vast majority of marine litter consists of plastic polymers found in cigarette butts, plastic bags, fishing gear, and food/beverage containers. Billions of Mermaid spheres, tiny plastic pallets used as raw materials for all sorts of plastics, are found everywhere.

We should all be concerned about marine litter is because it does not only affect marine life, but also fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and our own health. Only a tiny fraction of all plastics ends up on the beaches, most of it stays at sea. In some areas, we find already six times more micro plastics than plankton. Seven out of ten pieces eventually sink to the sea floor where they can suffocate life in the deep.

So help us save dolphins and the sea. For more information contact Dr. Stefan Harzen.

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Meet the Scientist Lecture Series

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This program promotes (1) the pursuit of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and (2) encourages communication between scientists and residents of the communities in which they live and work.

The series is produced in collaboration with the Jupiter Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy (JERFSA), a four-year academic program focusing on ecological principles and processes, environmental awareness, field studies and research, critical thinking and leadership skills.

Each season runs from October through April, with all events held at the Jupiter High School auditorium from 7 to 9 pm. Thanks to the support of the Rotary Club Jupiter-Tequesta and the Jupiter Inlet District, all lectures are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Dr. Stefan Harzen.

JERFSA: jerfsapartnership.org/jerfsa
Rotary Club Jupiter-Tequesta: www.jupiterrotary.com
Jupiter Inlet District: jupiterinletdistrict.org

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