Abstract

Over the past 40 years, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) has supported impactful marine mammal healthcare research both at the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program (MMP) and within the academic, marine mammal research, and public display communities across North America. This is clearly demonstrated in over 70 IAAAM presentations dating back to before 1970. This support has been across all disciplines of medicine ranging from immunology and infectious disease to disease pathophysiology and regenerative medicine - from microbiology to physiology. For the MMP, the sole focus of this work has been finding solutions for clinician-identified healthcare challenges as outlined in our recurring five-year clinical investment strategy. This support has made a measurable positive impact on animal health at the MMP.¹

Today there are two departments within ONR whose support of marine mammal research is actively benefitting these animals' healthcare. Division 342, The Marine Mammal Health Program, directly targets improving marine mammal healthcare by "developing science and technology solutions aimed at the detection, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in order to ensure their ongoing health, fitness for duty and overall longevity." Division 322, The Marine Mammals and Biology (MMB) Program, targets areas of research that may indirectly result in marine mammal healthcare improvements by "supporting basic and applied research and technology development related to understanding the effects of sound on marine mammals, including physiological, behavioral, ecological effects and population-level effects."

The Office of Naval Research has also made support available through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The focus of these programs is to "bridge the gap between performance of basic science and commercialization of resulting innovations." ONR, working in conjunction with the MMP, ensures this work is focused on definable marine mammal healthcare challenges with a potentially commercially available product as a project outcome.

* Presenting author

References

1.  Venn-Watson S, Jensen ED, Smith CR, Xitco M, Ridgway SH. Annual survival, mortality, and longevity of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, 2004–2013. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2015 (In press).