The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies

The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies

Stranding Hotline:
1- 888-SOS-DOLPHIN
(888-767-3657)

Conservation

Another education program offered by the IMMS is our Community Outreach Program. IMMS staff routinely go into local schools to educate students about marine mammals and the environment. Specific IMMS efforts in which you might be interested include:
* Science Fairs
* Field Trips
* Career Shadow Day
* In-depth training seminars featuring national experts in the field

Education ● Conservation ● Research

How you can help

All of our conservation, research, and rehabilitation efforts here at IMMS require significant resources. Your generous donations will greatly help with the endless needs that arise in tending to sick and injured marine animals, in conducting research, and in the construction of the IMMS new research and education center.

Dedicated to the understanding of marine life through research, education, conservation and innovation. The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1984. The mission of this organization is to support innovative and important research regarding marine mammals and the environments in which they live to better understand the role and responsibility humans have in the management of marine mammals both under human care and in the wild. IMMS is especially proud of the collaborative working relationship it has enjoyed over the years with such institutes as:

University of Southern Mississippi

Mississippi State University

Louisiana State University

Oklahoma State University

The University of Pennsylvania

Portland State University

The University of Kansas

The University of Hawaii

The National Marine Fisheries

NASA Stennis Space Center

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

The United States Navy

NEW! “Protect Dolphins” License Plate Available!

The Mississippi State Tax Commission has recently approved a new “Protect Dolphins” license plate that will benefit the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS). Click here for more information.

Help IMMS as you search the internet with GoodSearch!

What if IMMS earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Click here for more information.

"Protect our Dolphins" Wristbands now available!

IMMS recently began a “Protect our Dolphins” fundraiser. Now you can show the world that you care about dolphins and marine conservation here on the Gulf Coast! Click here for more information.

Limited brick pavers available!

The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) would like to invite you to be a part of our new facility that is currently under construction. We are offering a unique opportunity for you to show community support and add a piece of you, your family, or your business to our family. Click here for more information.

Turn the Tide with IMMS!

Turn the Tide with IMMS is an innovative program that we are using to make a difference for our environment. Turn the Tide offers nine simple actions almost anyone can take and then instantly shows the positive impact of each reported action. Click here for more information.

The IMMS launches $3 million Dolphin Research Center
The Center will feature classrooms, veterinary care facilities, a museum, and wet and dry laboratories. It's expected to attract scientists and students from universities across Mississippi and all over the world.

Many studies of dolphins in the waters of Mississippi have been sponsored by IMMS. Some of the projects funded by IMMS in the past have included: Aerial and boat assessment of population dynamics of local bottlenose dolphins.

Boat team
IMMS's latest conservation effort was in participating in the International Coastal Cleanup, sponsored by Gulf Islands National Seashore, on Saturday September 16, 2006. There were many different groups and organizations participating along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and barrier islands.

Stranding
If you find a stranded marine mammal, whether alive or not, please call the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies. Rescuing stranded marine mammals finding the cause of wild dolphin deaths, and discovering prevention methods is all part of our mission at IMMS.

Construction Well Underway!

After months of patiently waiting and watching dirt being trucked in, IMMS is finally seeing real progress at the new facility! Click here for more information.

Stranding Update - Rescued Dolphin Given the Name Cajun

The dolphin that IMMS rescued on October 18, 2006 has been named Cajun. We had held a naming contest for him through our local news station and our website. Click here for more information.

IMMS Launches New Volunteer Program

On February 3, 2007, IMMS added 12 ambitious volunteers to our family. The new members of the team gathered at the site of the future facility for an orientation and introduction to the existing staff members.

Education Program Back in Action

Our Educational Coordinator, Ms. Shannon Huyser, has been organizing trips to schools in the tri-county area here on the coast. In the spirit of rebuilding our Gulf Coast and moving forward, the IMMS outreach program has been well-received and appreciated. Click below for more details.

Dr. Solangi (IMMS President) appointed to Governor's Commission

Dr. Solangi attended a roundtable meeting with President Clinton, Governor Haley Barbour, Mayor Brent Warr, along with civic and business leaders to discuss post-Katrina issues. He was also appointed to the Governor's Commission.

Hurricane Katrina Destroys Marine Life Oceanarium
Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster to ever hit the United States, has turned the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coasts into an unimaginable world of chaos. One of the hardest hit victims of the storm was Marine Life Oceanarium, the sister organization of the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS).