GOMESA Application Details

Internal Project Number: 1187
1. Title of Project: Conservation and Protection of Wildlife and the Environment through Key Education and Outreach Programs
2. Location of Project: 10801 Dolphin Lane Gulfport, MS 39503
3. Requesting Organization: Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Inc.
4a. Name: Moby Solangi, Ph.D.
4b. Position
4c. Phone Number: 228-896-9182
4d. Fax Number
4e. Address Line 1: 10801 Dolphin Lane
4e. Address Line 2
4e. City, State Zip: Gulfport, MS 39503
4f. Email: moby@imms.org
5. FundingRequested: $785,000
Awarded Amount:: $0
6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources: No
7a. Amount of Additional Funds: $0
7b. Source of Additional Funds
8. Total Project Funds Amount: $785,000
9. Project Description/Overview: Maintenance of a healthy marine ecosystem is contingent on a community that cares. Humans have a moral responsibility to conserve and protect the natural resources on which our survival depends. Plastic pollution, irresponsible fishing practices, and human negligence will in time kill our oceans. It is our duty to effect a change and work to create a better environment. The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) strives to educate the public on becoming better stewards for our local marine habitats. IMMS hosts several events and educational opportunities and participates in many local outreach events every year. These events engage the public of all ages and illustrate how they can assist in our efforts to conserve the Mississippi Coast. Education and outreach are essential tools that can be utilized to bring awareness to the issues at hand and can in turn create an effective change. IMMS has staff dedicated to marine conservation and education. Through all of our educational programs and events, we have a unique opportunity to show the public how they can help too. Good stewardship is necessary and would accomplish a considerable amount of protection for our local wildlife and habitats. In order to accomplish this, we must be willing to change our habits and behavior. The marine environment is suffering due to anthropogenic stressors and has often been used as a dump. This is evident in the trash we see on our beaches and the animals that are directly affected by our actions. Simple changes in human behavior can make a huge difference in the future of our marine environment here is Mississippi. The first step is to educate the public on these issues and encourage them to care about their home. Therefore, creating stewardship through education and outreach programs is essential to the conservation and protection of wildlife and the environment.
10. Project Goals/Objectives: Conservation and Protection of Wildlife and the Environment through Key Education and Outreach Programs. A majority of problems that we have are related to human attitudes and habits that cause ocean pollution. Changing this behavior and creating good stewardship through education and outreach can significantly reduce the amount of pollutants going into the marine environment. Informing the public that the items discarded hundreds of miles upstream can cause tremendous damage to our environment and wildlife. The aspect of education and outreach has not received the emphasis that it has deserved, nor has its impact been appropriately evaluated. This project will help bring about and help focus the attention of what individuals can do to change their behavior through knowledge and become good stewards of the environment.
11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?

(A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses: Yes: This project would help create good stewardship which will help the attitudes and behavior of individuals that pollute the marine environment which causes damage to the habitat and marine environment. By the efforts through education and outreach will help reduce a significant amount of marine debris that enters the marine environment in a daily basis.

(B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.: Yes: The marine debris that is introduced into the marine environment from upstream and directly into the marine environment causes significant damage to wildlife directly and indirectly (through ingestion and/or the environment) which causes a loss to our marine environment. By educating the public and helping change their attitude and behavior will help significantly in the conservation and protection of wildlife and fisheries and is an essential step in the mitigation of damage to our marine resources and the habitat.

(C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.

(D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.

12. Project Timetable/Milestones: 1. Planning for activities: 4 Months (During Months 1, 2, 13, and 2) 2. Implementation of Activities: 34 Months (During Months 3-36) 3. Survey and Evaluations: 6 months (During Months 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30) 4. Annual Reports: 4 months (During Months 12-13 and 24-25) 5. Final Report: 2 months (During Months 35-36) Project will span over 36 Months
13. Project Timing: Short-term
14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):: Other not applicable

15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?: Maintenance of a healthy marine ecosystem is contingent on a community that cares. Humans have a moral responsibility to conserve and protect the natural resources on which our survival depends. Plastic pollution, irresponsible fishing practices, and human negligence will in time kill our oceans. It is our duty to effect a change and work to create a better environment. The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) strives to educate the public on becoming better stewards for our local marine habitats. IMMS hosts several events and educational opportunities and participates in many local outreach events every year. These events engage the public of all ages and illustrate how they can assist in our efforts to conserve the Mississippi Coast. Education and outreach are essential tools that can be utilized to bring awareness to the issues at hand and can in turn create an effective change. IMMS has staff dedicated to marine conservation and education. Through all of our educational programs and events, we have a unique opportunity to show the public how they can help too. Good stewardship is necessary and would accomplish a considerable amount of protection for our local wildlife and habitats. In order to accomplish this, we must be willing to change our habits and behavior. The marine environment is suffering due to anthropogenic stressors and has often been used as a dump. This is evident in the trash we see on our beaches and the animals that are directly affected by our actions. Simple changes in human behavior can make a huge difference in the future of our marine environment here is Mississippi. The first step is to educate the public on these issues and encourage them to care about their home. Therefore, creating stewardship through education and outreach programs is essential to the conservation and protection of wildlife and the environment.

16. Estimated Years To Completion: 3
17. Estimated Completion Date: 1/1/2027

Budget:

Salaries,Wages, Fringe: $554,311
Travel: $15,000
Architecture & Engineering: $0
Legal: $0
Consulting: $20,000
Construction: $0
Site Work: $0
Equipment: $0
Indirects: $165,007
Other: $30,682
Total: $785,000


Application Submission Date: 02/16/2024
Fiscal Year: 2025
Project Status: Not Awarded
Application Status: Accepted
Meets Criteria: Yes
Internal Notes:
Attachments:
Hyperlink:: Attachments

Back to List