Mission

We are committed to protecting our ocean, whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife through research, education, conservation, and whale rescue. Our mission is to acquire and share knowledge and inspire the next generation of whale, dolphin and ocean conservationists.

The Big Idea

Marine Life Studies’ Whale Entanglement Team (WET)® serves as the rapid response team that documents and rescues entangled whales in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Their research vessel, R/V Current’Sea (also known as the whale disentanglement ambulance) has everything aboard that is needed for a full disentanglement response, including an inflatable boat and motor that is secured on a davit system on the back of the vessel.

This vessel is used for responding to and saving entangled whales, preventing future entanglements, collecting critical data during whale rescues, and providing a platform for Whale Entanglement Team (WET)® members to train and gain experience. Funds will support vessel maintenance and the purchase of specialized equipment for disentanglement responses – all helping to prevent whales from a slow, painful death and prevent future entanglements of marine wildlife in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. R/V Current’Sea must be ready for every call.

As a native to the Monterey Peninsula, I’ve spent my entire life in, on, and around the ocean. Our local environment is a beautiful yet fragile place. In working with Marine Life Studies as a documentary filmmaker I have come to know them as an integral part in the protection of our wondrous bay. Their outreach, education, and entanglement programs fulfill an important and necessary role in the conservation of our marine environment.

- Matthew Ferraro