[MARMAM] BP oil spill an marine mammals

[William Rossiter]

Regarding Craig Matkin's 9 July MARMAM post, "oil spills and cetaceans" 
and an earlier post I made seeking information, it appears that there is 
still no effective link or contact to coordinate matching volunteers 
with need in the area of potential impact from the BP oil spill. If 
there is please post it to MARMAM or contact the Marine Mammal 
Commission, which is seeking the best resource. Texas Audubon provides 
an example of a constantly updated website resource to maximize 
meaningful volunteer assistance, albeit strictly for the birds.

While shore, marine and aerial surveys, stranding responses and rehab 
efforts are obvious needs, there are also several projects, underway 
since before the spill, which need help to make a maximum effort  to 
establish baseline data prior to the oil reaching their research area. 
Special skills will be needed for many tasks, but many others require 
only a personal commitment to help. As examples, locals might provide 
food and lodging for specialists, volunteered RVs might provide a base 
for workers, or private pilots may volunteer their time and aircraft for 
directed surveys. All have been effective in previous events, and 
engaging the public serves the needs of the marine mammal community.

Bill Rossiter
Cetacean Society International