Rep. Zeldin Announces $100K Grant for Atlantic Marine Conservation Society
Long Island, NY - August 27, 2018 - Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) issued the following statement announcing a $100,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSC) of Hampton Bays, New York, which will aid the organization in their mission to help entangled and stranded whales, dolphins and other marine life and build a strong regional network that responds to and prevents marine mammal entanglements:
“On Long Island, our waterways are an integral part of our way of life and, in a district almost completely surrounded by water, we have a unique responsibility to safeguard our local environment, waterways and marine life,” said Congressman Lee Zeldin. “Successfully responding to the strandings of whales, seals, sea turtles and dolphins, the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society has worked hard to respond to distressed marine life, but also collect data and provide insight to ensure the long-term survival of the animals in and near our local waterways.”
“In just 19 months of receiving our stranding agreement from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), we have responded 21 large whales that have washed up on New York shores,” said Atlantic Marine Conservation Society founder and chief scientist Robert A. DiGiovanni, Jr. "As the lead large whale response organization in New York State, NOAA's Prescott Grant will help mortality and entanglement investigations for marine mammals and sea turtles, partner training, and research efforts surrounding these issues. We are so grateful to receive this grant as it furthers our mission of promoting marine conservation through action while raising an awareness for the need of public support, volunteers, members, and donors to carry out this important work. Together, we can learn what’s impacting the marine environment and what we can all do to help save it.”
The NOAA John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program is a key source of funding for marine conservation advocates and researchers to aid in the recovery and treatment of stranded marine mammals. This critical program is funded under the NOAA research budget and last year Congressman Zeldin voted to fully fund NOAA research at $3.24 billion for FY 2018 (H.R. 3354).
About Atlantic Marine Conservation Society
Atlantic Marine Conservation Society’s (AMCS) mission is to promote marine conservation through action. This is accomplished through education, research, and response. AMCS is the lead large whale response organization in New York State. As a non-profit organization, the society conducts research projects within the marine environment, and responds to whales, porpoises, dolphins, and sea turtles in the northeast region, and conducts public and private education programs across Long Island into New York City. Partnering with other organizations within the stranding network, AMCS is supported by the Specially Trained Animal Response Team (START), Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).