I hope that this first newsletter of 1971 finds all of you happy with your lot and that the prospects for the rest of 1971 look good.

There are still four members in arrears of their dues for 1970. We also have eleven requests for membership and many letters of inquiry about the IAAAAM. We have also had some correspondence from other societies concerning amalgamation and/or utilization of their publication as our official outlet. Action on these suggestions and/or requests will be discussed at the annual business meeting. I hope that as many of you as possible will be able to attend and participate in the discussions and decisions.

At his request Dr. K.H. Smith, Seattle, Washington would like his name stricken from the membership list.

Dr. K.N. Gray, DVM, M.S. is seeking employment in the field of marine animal medicine. The degree program for the M.S. included courses in immunology, pathogenic bacteriology, virology, experimental microbiology, mechanisms of disease, physiology of fishes and statistics. If anyone knows of any position in this or related areas in marine medicine, I am sure that Dr. Gray would be happy to hear from you.

The following document has been prepared by Dr. Jesse White, Seaquarium and presented to the Florida State legislature. These regulations are in effect at the present time; however, they are not necessarily in definitive form. I am presenting it to you in its entirety (with slight modification) so that you will have an opportunity to read it and perhaps suggest changes at the annual meeting. Dr. White will be there and will chair the discussion.

Marine Mammals

Goals and Objectives of Administrative Policies

Either through pleasure or financial gain, the capture of marine animals usually benefits the fisherman. Most of our laws and administrative procedures are usually geared to enhance these initial benefits. In general, very little thought is given to the way the animals are treated after they are taken from the water.

Our approach must be different in the case of marine mammals. These higher animals are extremely intelligent, sensitive creatures, and they deserve consideration.

In the case of whales, dolphins (porpoises), manatees, and related forms, our object is not so much to develop an industry, or to increase Florida's recreational or economic assets. Our goal is to provide the number of these animals necessary for educational and scientific purposes. The number so taken must not adversely affect the basic reproductive stocks and those captured must receive considerate care, adequate facilities for health and the prospect of a normal life expectancy.

The administrative provisions imposed by the Department upon those holding a permit to capture and/or maintain marine mammals are outlined herein. These are based upon the goals and objectives as discussed above.

Suggested Inter-Departmental

Standards for Marine Mammals Facilities

Includes all Cetaceans (Porpoises, whales, dolphins, etc.) as Well as Manatees, Dugongs and Related Species

Phase I – Capture

The permittee is required to submit a report, filed monthly to the department, which would supply the following information; this report is due before the 15th of each month.

• Specific dates the capture boat is collecting, regardless of capture success.
• All sightings, regardless of attempt to capture or not, should be included, with an estimate of the number of animals in the pod, approximate direction of travel, location and time. Other information would be desirable; e.g., weather conditions, if noticed feeding or not, etc., if practical.
• There are to be no discrepancies between the reports of the catcher (permitted) and those of the Marine Patrol, a member of which must be present during the capture unless other duties preclude such participation
• When an attempt is made to capture, specific information should be provided:
  • Approximate numbers of animals in pod.
  • Numbers of animals captured.
  • Numbers of animals inadvertently drowned or killed, if any.
  • Number brought to dock and kept.
  • Number released alive.
  • Each animal captured should be sexed, and exact length recorded, even if released.
  • Any outstanding injuries or illness obvious to gross observations.
• Capture boat or boats should be provided with the following:
  • Adequate 2" - 3" foam rubber pads for each animal to rest upon. Foam mattress or air mattress are adequate substitutes; however, cotton or fabric mattresses tend to harden when waterlogged, thereby failing to provide adequate cushioning.
  • Shade or protection from sun should be adequate. Sheeting or cloth protection can possibly be used in conjunction, but should be watched carefully in that air pockets in the material can cause blistering of the skin.
  • Facilities for adequate wetting of animals must be available, either fresh or salt water. Extreme care should be taken to insure that no water can be inhaled through the blowhole.
  • All netting should be removed from the animal as soon as possible, even if necessary to cut net.
  • Anhydrous lanolin cream should be available. Axillary spaces under pectoral flippers, dorsal fin, and the area immediately surrounding the eyes should be covered with a protective film. Care should be taken not to apply any extraneous material in eyes or blowhole.
  • Adequate stretchers should be available for any moving from area to area with spaces provided for pectoral flipper, eyes and elimination of waste. Lying in own excrement can and will cause urine burns. The stretcher should be made of a non­abrasive material that is porous, e.g., canvas. Nylon and other synthetic materials are non-porous and can cause an excessive heating problem. The synthetic material is also prone to scratch the extremely sensitive skin.
• General considerations regarding capture.
  • With regard to numbers of animals included in any given "set", caution should be taken to attempt to split large pods so that 10 or less animals are included. Large numbers increase the possibilities of drowning specific animals when entangled in the net. The number of animals should also be small enough to assure proper attention to each individual animal until they reach the shore destination. Inadvertent drownings will occur; therefore, an attempt should be made to obtain as much data as is practical from the drowned animal; e.g., sex, size, injuries, etc.
  • When capturing or moving given animals, extreme caution should be taken to avoid squeezing of the throat area in that this is extremely sensitive to bruising, thereby producing a source of difficulty at a later date. When moving, adequate stretchers built of a non-abrasive material will reduce the incidence of bruising and burns.
  • When the transportation to shore is prolonged or delayed, all animals’ positions should be changed periodically, thereby reducing the incidence of lung congestion.
  • To minimize cuts, scratches and other superficial wounds, captors remove watches, rings, etc. The skin of these animals is extremely and sensitive.
  • Always rest pad on which the animal is supported upon a flat area free from rocks, sand, any projection, or sharp corner. Also check position of pectoral flipper in order to insure it is folded back next to thorax.
• Size and age of animals captured.
  • No animal under 72" long should be captured. This measurement is from the tip of the lower beak (mandible) to the notch in the caudal fluke (tail). The overall length of an animal measured in this way would be approximately 3 - 4" longer when measured to tips of the tail.
  • A female that is obviously lactating (producing milk) and/or a suckling calf (less than 72") must not be captured.
  • The Florida Manatee, Trichechus manatus, is an endangered species and is not to be captured.

Phase II - Care and Husbandry

• Minimum requirements with respect to pool size.
• The size of the holding facilities is going to depend on several facts.
  • Length of stay
  • Numbers of animals (animal load)
  • Water exchange rate and/or filtration
  • Assuming that the water exchange rate and/or filtration is adequate (to be discussed) a minimum of 20 ft. in diameter should be required for one or two animals. With respect to depth, there are instances where mature animals have been held in 4’ deep pools for prolonged periods with no outward side-effects; however, in the opinion of several workers in the field it appears that we should require a 6' depth, and preferably 8'. While asleep many of there animals set the flukes dip at an acute angle. The flukes stroke slowly every 30-50 seconds as the animal lifts itself to the surface to breathe. In shallow tanks, the larger animals also tend to spend more time lying at the surface with blowhole exposed. This results in sunburn. Also in shallow tanks the tips of the flukes can be traumatized by the slight but constant contact with the tank bottom.
  • In performing areas, it appears that smaller holding tanks are acceptable, in that the animal is allowed into the larger performing tank several times each day and is held in the smaller tanks at night. These tanks are gated.
  • Minimum area with respect to natural holding pens.
  • The minimum area provided should be 400 sq. ft. of surface area, with a minimum depth of 6 - 8 ft. for each 1 - 2 animals.
  • The areas should be fenced with a smooth, non-abrasive materials e.g., heavy-duty small mesh nylon netting stretched tightly to prevent tangles. Some areas are fenced with a small mesh, smooth wire which is less desirable in that it can severely cut the animal(s) when newly captured or being caught.
• Water Purity
  
  The requirements of water turnover will be discussed with two basic areas in mind, first considering the artificial pool with water being pumped and filtered and secondly the fenced-off natural lagoons or canals, dependent upon tidal exchange.
• The concrete or metal tank, which will also take into consideration the portable swimming pool.
  • The basic water turnover rate is directly related to the animal load of the facility.
  • Generally speaking, the full volume of water in a given facility should be completely replaced every 2 hours. This figure is a relative figure and can be increased or decreased based on animal load. For a small pool as outlined In A2, the turnover rate should approach one hour to assure water quality.
  • A minimum turnover rate of two hours will insure biologically clean water and reduce skin and other external problems.
• The majority of the collector/exporter holding and training facilities are fenced natural lagoons, canals or estuaries. When dependent on tidal flow for turnover of water volume, the biggest single problem in the canal or lagoon is pollution. This is usually gram-negative bacterial contamination brought about by improper drainage or sewage.
  
  In clean, unpolluted waters, this type of facility is acceptable, in that it does duplicate the animals' natural environment.
  
  Water clarity would not necessarily denote water parity, but it is a method of ascertaining water quality. The water should be clear enough that one could clearly see a 8" disk at a depth of 4 ft.
• Social Structure
  
  Generally speaking, from a subjective point of view, there is little or no factual data to support the theory that it is physically or mentally harmful for these animals to be maintained alone. It is known that they are extremely social and gregarious in natural conditions, and it would appear that they definitely require another of their own species either in the facility together or in adjacent facilities. It is suggested that these animals not be maintained alone for considerable periods of time.
• Nutrition and Medication
  
  

  The dolphin and other marine mammals, in order to maintain a body temperature of 98­99.4° F must consume considerable calories each day. As a general rule of thumb, this should be in the form of 3 - 5% of their body weight in various species of food fish. The percentage will vary with respect to the temperature of the water in which they are maintained, sex, age, and their working schedule if trained.
  
  The quality of the fish they are fed is extremely important in maintaining basic good health. The type of fish fed will be determined to a large degree by the individual animal, either they will accept the fish or they will not.
  
  This food fish should be fresh frozen and glazed properly to assure they are of "table" quality and fresh. They should remain frozen up until the day to be utilized and, once thawed, kept on ice or in cooler until fed. It is further suggested that a variety of species be fed to insure adequate nutrition. In that this is an artificial diet (dead fish) for the animal, a variety of species will help to insure a steady appetite in case one of the species is in short supply. This makes feeding much easier for the person responsible.
  
  As soon as the newly-captured animal starts feeding, a minimum of 200 mg. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine HCl) should be added to the diet daily. This is in addition to the multivitamins mentioned below.
  
  Medication should he approached with extreme caution. All individuals, corporations, collectors/importers should be required to have professional help available. These animals are extremely susceptible to many diseases. They are even more susceptible when subjected to the added stress of captive environment and an artificial diet. To minimize nutritional deficiencies their diet should be supplemented with multivitamins daily.
  
  To insure proper nutrition and basic husbandry we should require a periodic inspection by Marine Patrol Officers or a local veterinarian.
• Deaths and Autopsies.
  
  All deaths should be accompanied by an autopsy by a qualified veterinarian. A report should be filed, with the cause of death, and suggestions for future preventative measures. This should be signed by the D.V.M.

Phase III – Shipping

The following minimum requirements have been established with respect to land and air transport of the small cetacean, the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. These requirements, with special adaptations for species, would apply to any marine mammal originating from the state of Florida.

A. Minimum requirement for shipping: Exporter

• One water-tight container is to be provided for each animal shipped.
  • A wood or fiber-glass box of adequate size to permit sufficient space between all extremities and the sides of the box. This type of container is usually lined with a water-proof liner.
  • A steel or aluminum frame, either rigidly welded or assembled with joints and set screws. Attached to the four top supports of the frame is a watertight liner or bag. Battery(s) can be secured to a platform or the bottom supports.
• One battery operated pump is to be provided with each box. This pump, usually of the bilge pump type, should be adequate to provide a spray of water over the entire animal. Care should be taken so that the spray of water will not be over the blowhole area. With each transport of animals, it is necessary that a back-up pump be available in case of mechanical failure,
• Adequate batteries, either dry cell or wet storage, be provided for each box to operate the pumps. Careful consideration should be given the maximum transport time in order to insure sufficient battery power facility to facility.
• Anhydrous lanolin should be spread over the head (melon), under the pectoral flippers, over the dorsal fin, and both surfaces of the tail fluke, to prevent dryness and subsequent overheating. It is acceptable, and in many cases desirable, to spread the lanolin over the entire animal. Again caution should be exercised to avoid any substance being place in contact with the eyes.
• A suspended stretcher of adequate size to accommodate a specific animal. There is to be two reinforced spaces provided for the pectoral flippers. The measurements of these holes are extremely critical in that adequate space should be provided before and after the flippers to prevent excessive pressure on the highly sensitive area under the pectoral flippers. Incorrect measurement in this area is the cause of the majority of "burns" in the cetacean.
• The stretcher should be made of a porous, non-abrasive material, e.g., cotton canvas. Synthetic materials are usually non-porous and tend to hold body heat in. A thin layer of padding is sometimes used; however, caution should be used, in that this may also tend to prevent efficient loss of body heat. All seams should be located on side away from the animal, in that they can be the cause of serious pressure "burns".
• Shipment or transport in an open truck is not recommended. In an emergency, extreme caution should be exercised to provide shade and protection from wind burns.
• A special shipping permit is to be obtained from the Department of Natural Resources by the permitee prior to shipment. Information pertaining to Phase II of these guide lines, with reference to the individual consignee, should be submitted to the department in order to qualify for the shipping permit. Sufficient time is to be allowed for the clearance (see Destination below).
• A health certificate from a qualified veterinarian is required prior to shipment. This inspection should take place after the animals are in the shipping containers, and should include an overall inspection of procedures and apparent state of health and nutrition.
• Animals should be fasted at least 8 hours prior to transport.
• It is recommended that tranquilizers and/or sedatives not be administered to any species of cetacean.

B. Minimum requirements for shipping: Air Lines

• Require health certificate from veterinarian, inspected in shipping containers, and state permit.
• Require one attendant for each four animals, or less, to be shipped.
• Never allow animals to be placed in:
  • freight igloos
  • the belly of passenger planes. Special permission can be obtained in extremely short, domestic flights provided conditions of shipment are met.
• In neither of the above can the animals be attended and the belly of a passenger plane usually is not pressurized.

C. Destination

Facilities to accommodate animals at their final destination must meet the standards established for maintaining the same animals within Florida. All expenses incurred in making determination of the quality of facilities outside Florida must be borne by the shipper whose responsibility it shall be to qualify the receiver and his facilities for eligibility to receive marine animals from Florida.

Suggested Inter-Departmental

Standards for Marine Mammal Facilities

Includes all Cetaceans (Porpoises, whales, dolphins, etc.) as well as manatees, dugongs and related species

Oval shape preferred
All corners rounded in rectangular tanks.
No projections in sides or bottom of tank.

Circulation

Minimum exchange rate - by replacement or through filter - volume of tank every two hours non stop.

Water Quality

Temperature

Food

Porpoise -- 10-16 lbs. per day, depending on size, condition, nursing female, temperature of water, lactating female in cool water may require as much as 30-35 lbs. per day.

Porpoise Diet

A variety of at least three fish should be fed. The only substitute for blue runner should be another species of jack or mackerel.

If mullet is fed, it is necessary to feed other species in conjunction. Porpoise will usually live less than a year on a diet of straight mullet.

Manatee -- 30 to 50 lbs. per day, depending on size.

Adult Manatee Diet

45 lbs. cabbage

5 lbs. mixed vegetables -- carrots, potatoes, apples, etc. (lettuce can be substituted for cabbage)

Medical

All animals should be vaccinated against erysipelas within one week of starting to feed in captivity. (Commercially available swine erysipelas vaccine is satisfactory)

The most common sign of a medical problem is loss of appetite. Unless feeding returns to normal within 24 hours, a veterinarian should-be consulted. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine HCl) is a commonly used appetite stimulator.

Maintenance vitamins should be given to all animals.

Dosage

It is recommended that Vitamin B1 (Thiamine HCl) and Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) be administered in addition to the multivitamin.

There appears to be some discrepancy in the document since in Part G, Phase I manatees are not to be captured and yet towards the end standards for manatees are given.

This is the first step in many more regulations that our association can support for the welfare of marine animals. Dr. White should be congratulated on a job done. We should discuss similar regulations for Pinnipeds at our meeting as well.

That's all.

W. Medway