University of New England

University of New England’s Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center (MARC), located in the school’s state-of-the-art Marine Science Education and Research Center, has been rehabilitating sick, stranded and injured seals and other marine animals for more than two years.

Now the federal agency that oversees marine animal rescue, recovery and release—National Marine Fisheries Service—has given MARC authority to provide “response and rescue” for marine mammals along Maine’s coast.

Starting June 8, 2004, MARC is authorized to rescue sick and injured (stranded) seals and cetaceans (porpoises and whales) along the coast of York County. The authorization for cetaceans (but not seals) also includes the coastlines of Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties (the New Hampshire border to Camden, Maine). The cetacean response is shared jointly with Boston’s New England Aquarium.
 
To handle this new responsibility, MARC has assigned two professional staff members to manage the response and rescue effort, working with marine officials, law enforcement officers and a network of volunteers.

Seals, porpoises and whales are protected by federal law. To report a seal stranding in York County, or a cetacean stranding from the New Hampshire border to Camden, Maine, call 1-866.647.3257 (866-64-SEALS). Also visit the MARC website.

MARC has rehabilitated more than 70 seals and seal pups—and two porpoises—since March, 2002. In a few weeks, the facility will get two sea turtles for rehabilitation. To accommodate these animals, the Center installed $22,000 of special equipment in one of its rehab pool rooms. MARC is the only facility in Northern New England licensed by the National Marine Fisheries Service to rehabilitate sea turtles and small cetaceans.

UNE’s Marine Science Center is the only facility of its kind on any college or university campus, combining education, research and marine animal rehabilitation in a single facility.

(Press release issued June 3, 2004)