Abstract

Facilities that are licensed with the United States Department of Agriculture must be in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. Likewise facilities that are a part of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program are to be in compliance with the with the Minimum Standards outlined in the NMFS Policies and Best Practices Marine Mammal Stranding Response Rehabilitation and Release document (available at: https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/48555, VIN editor: Link updated 11/13/24).

Both agencies have specifications for the humane handling, care, treatment and transportation of marine mammals. Both agencies have guidelines specific to water quality. While the guidelines differ somewhat between the two agency documents, the intent to provide water in the primary enclosure that is not detrimental to the health of the marine mammal contained therein.

Each agency requires coliform bacterial counts to be under 1000 MPN (most probable number) per 100 ml of water. When the water is chemically treated the chemicals added must not cause harm or discomfort to the marine mammals. Water must be tested weekly for coliform count and at least daily for pH and any chemical additives. Records must be kept of all test results and made available for inspection purposes. Temperature must be maintained that is appropriate for the species. Cetaceans are required to be maintained in salinized water.

While exact acceptable levels of oxidants are not specified in the Animal Welfare Act, levels of chlorine or other chemical additives or oxidants must be tightly controlled so that no harm or discomfort is caused. Most modern filtration systems utilize oxidants such as chlorine, bromine, or ozone to control pathogen levels in the water. Total chlorine levels may spike on occasion, however if these spikes occur repeatedly the chlorine, or its byproducts could cause damage to the cornea. If the makeup water is from a municipal source, levels of chlorine should routinely be measured to ensure the chlorine levels going into the pool out of the tap do not exceed 1–1.5 PPM. At several facilities municipal source water used for pinniped pools had over 3 PPM chlorine measured at certain times of the year. Optimally total chlorine levels in the water should not exceed 1 PPM. If the chlorine levels in the source water are too high, methods to dechlorinate should be employed before the water is placed in the animal's pools. Byproducts of disinfection, such as chloramines or trihalomethanes may also be irritating to the eyes and screening for these compounds may be warranted. Ozone systems must have an efficient method to degas the water. Ozone is a powerful oxidant and there should be no measureable residual ozone in the animal pools.

* Presenting author