GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 271382
- 1. Title of Project
- Addressing the Health of the Mississippi Sound: Dolphin and Sea Turtle Ecology and Habitat Utilizing Stable Isotopes
- 2. Location of Project
- Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties, Mississippi
- 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
- 4f. Email
- moby@imms.org
- 5. FundingRequested
- $1,200,115
- Awarded Amount:
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- No
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $1,200,115
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- The Mississippi Sound represents vital habitat for dolphins and sea turtles for the different resources it provides. As an example, the Mississippi Sound is a vital nursery for one of the world’s largest dolphin populations and an important foraging ground for the different sea turtles within the Gulf (five of the total seven species worldwide). With the rich biodiversity that is seen within the Mississippi Sound, it becomes important to use these animals as indicators for environmental change (sentinel species). If any changes are experienced within the Mississippi Sound, these dolphins and sea turtles that live in these waters will be affected (either positively or negatively). By monitoring these animals, we can better understand how our environment is changing and what could be affecting it. To better monitor the factors that influence the behavior, ecology, and biology of dolphins and sea turtles, we propose utilizing state-of-the-art technology to acutely monitor change: stable isotopes. Stable isotopes (i.e., “isotopic”) are safe, naturally occurring weights and sizes of common elements that appear within an environment. The isotopic elements we propose to use are Carbon (13), Nitrogen (15), Sulfur (34), and Oxygen (18): 1) Carbon: Interaction of food source indicating what food is being eaten. 2) Nitrogen: Trophic-level interaction and pollution input. 3) Sulfur: Salinity changes seen within the environment. 4) Oxygen: Depth, water-oxygen levels, and migration differences seen in the environment. With each isotope, we can examine different tissues (both solid and liquid) of sea turtles and dolphins (both alive and deceased) to answer questions based on the Mississippi Sound’s health in response to abiotic factors such as freshwater discharge from the Bonnet Carre spill way (Baker et al. 2025) and pollution (agricultural runoff). These isotopes will help generate a better picture of historical, current, and future foraging patterns with each tissue analyzed. Additionally, as stable isotopes are relatively new technology, the number of samples needed to run tests are minimal, allowing for a wide range of cost-efficient analyses. Since 1984, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) stands at the forefront of research and rehabilitation in the Mississippi Sound as they have continued to address abiotic factors (Lewis et al. in press), foraging behavior (Giordano et al. in press), and site fidelity (Pamperin et al. 2025) of dolphins and sea turtles. In tandem with their current dolphin photo I.D. study, sea turtle satellite and acoustic tagging of sea turtles, and our rescue and rehabilitation efforts, stable isotopes will enhance IMMS’s goal of protecting the Mississippi Sound ecosystem. Overall, by monitoring the behavior, ecology, and biology of dolphins and sea turtles, we can better evaluate the health of the Mississippi Sound. Additionally, as stable isotopes are relatively new technology, IMMS will be one of the leading institutions utilizing this technology to better address how, chemically, the Mississippi Sound looks like and adapts to natural and man-made impacts. Any changes observed in these species can be used to help management agencies make adaptive changes to their conservation efforts to not only conserve the unique species found off Mississippi’s coast, but to also protect important ecosystems for the entirety of the Gulf coast.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- We want to use stable isotope technology to monitor the historical, current, and future foraging ecology, habitat usage, and environmental impacts on dolphins and sea turtles within the Mississippi Sound. To do so: 1) Document the Carbon, Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Oxygen stable isotopes observed within dolphins and sea turtles. 2) Identifying environmental factors influencing these isotopes, and, in turn, these animal's behavior, ecology, and habitat use. 3) Identifying the overall health of the Mississippi Sound and how shifts (past, present, and future) are influencing the Sound.
- 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
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: Overall, by monitoring the behavior, ecology, and biology of dolphins and sea turtles, we can better evaluate the health of the Mississippi Sound. Additionally, as stable isotopes are relatively new technology, IMMS will be one of the leading institutions utilizing this technology to better address how, chemically, the Mississippi Sound looks like and adapts to natural and manmade impacts. Any changes observed in these species can be used to help management agencies make adaptive changes to their conservation efforts to not only conserve the unique species found off Mississippi’s coast, but to also protect important ecosystems for the entirety of the Gulf coast.
- (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
- We propose a 2-year timescale to properly document and address the different stable isotopes within dolphins and sea turtles. Additionally, yearly reports will be generated to address milestones, provide updates, and adjust protocols (if needed): YEAR 1 (end of 2026 - 2027): The proposed start date of the project will be late 2026. Any equipment and supplies will be purchased to achieve the desired objectives. With the help of personnel, samples will begin "preparation" for shipments to stable isotope facilities for analysis. Any strandings, live or dead, obtained during this time frame will also be processed. YEAR 2 (end of 2027 - 2029): Continuation of sample preparation will proceed into 2028, with data analysis and manuscript generation beginning. Any equipment or supplies needing to be replaced or updated will be ordered. Additionally, near the end of 2028, our goal is to have at least two manuscripts prepared for submission and to be presenting at local and regional conferences.
- 13. Project Timing
- Short-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- Other N/A Funds Not Budgeted
- 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?
- The Mississippi Sound represents vital habitat for dolphins and sea turtles for the different resources it provides. As an example, the Mississippi Sound is a vital nursery for one of the world’s largest dolphin populations and an important foraging ground for the different sea turtles within the Gulf (five of the total seven species worldwide). With the rich biodiversity that is seen within the Mississippi Sound, it becomes important to use these animals as indicators for environmental change (sentinel species). If any changes are experienced within the Mississippi Sound, these dolphins and sea turtles that live in these waters will be affected (either positively or negatively). By monitoring these animals, we can better understand how our environment is changing and what could be affecting it. Any changes observed in these species can be used to help management agencies make adaptive changes to their conservation efforts to not only conserve the unique species found off Mississippi’s coast, but to also protect important ecosystems for the entirety of the Gulf coast.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 2
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 12/31/2029
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $706,486
- Travel
- $10,000
- Architecture & Engineering
- Legal
- Consulting
- $120,000
- Construction
- Site Work
- Equipment
- $60,000
- Indirects
- $263,104
- Other
- $40,525
- Total
- $1,200,115
- Application Submission Date
- 12/22/2025
- Fiscal Year
- 2027
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes:
- Attachments:
- Hyperlink:
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