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OceansOceans

Contain 97% of the Earths waterContain 97% of the Earths water 71% of the earth71% of the earth’’s surfaces surface Supports 50% of the speciesSupports 50% of the species 1 of 6 jobs in the country1 of 6 jobs in the country 30% of the GNP in coastal areas30% of the GNP in coastal areas

Marine Mammals and TheirMarine Mammals and TheirEnvironmentEnvironment

Dr. Michael WalshDr. Michael WalshCollege of Veterinary MedicineCollege of Veterinary Medicine

University of FloridaUniversity of Florida

Survival CornerstonesSurvival Cornerstones

Supportive environmentSupportive environment Individual or group adaptation to local environmentalIndividual or group adaptation to local environmental

shiftsshifts Shelter - reef, or Safety in numbers in schools or podsShelter - reef, or Safety in numbers in schools or pods

(reproduction)(reproduction) Multiple Environment useMultiple Environment use

Migration to select appropriate temporary butMigration to select appropriate temporary butrecurrent suitable environments for suitablerecurrent suitable environments for suitabletemperature, food availability, Nutrition availabilitytemperature, food availability, Nutrition availability

Prey or plant items that are abundant at relative timesPrey or plant items that are abundant at relative timesfor maintenance, growth, climate variability andfor maintenance, growth, climate variability andreproductionreproduction

ReproductionReproduction Availability of appropriate genders and ages inAvailability of appropriate genders and ages in

appropriate numbers for reproduction and nursing youngappropriate numbers for reproduction and nursing young

Always do right. This will gratify someAlways do right. This will gratify somepeople and astonish the restpeople and astonish the rest

Mark TwainMark Twain

Marine EnvironmentalMarine EnvironmentalAssumptionsAssumptions

Marine environment is too large to beMarine environment is too large to beaffected by the human factoraffected by the human factor

Animals in the wild live in the bestAnimals in the wild live in the bestenvironmentenvironment

There is an unending supply of naturalThere is an unending supply of naturalresourcesresources

Scientific ConsiderationsScientific Considerations

Always Always –– not likely not likely Exceptions- occur more often than people wouldExceptions- occur more often than people would

likelike Initial theory or hypothesis- usually has to beInitial theory or hypothesis- usually has to be

modified to fit realitymodified to fit reality People make decisions on what they knowPeople make decisions on what they know People do not like others to know they are wrongPeople do not like others to know they are wrong Ability to change is often related to the level ofAbility to change is often related to the level of

insecurityinsecurity

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On The Plus SideOn The Plus Side

Investigation can lead to clarityInvestigation can lead to clarity Can stop a project or redirect a projectCan stop a project or redirect a project Can led to spin offs that may be moreCan led to spin offs that may be more

valuable than the original thoughtvaluable than the original thought

Disease EtiologyDisease Etiology

Hereditary -Hereditary - Congenital - timingCongenital - timing Developmental - timingDevelopmental - timing Nutritional -Nutritional - MetabolicMetabolic ToxicToxic TraumaticTraumatic InfectiousInfectious EnvironmentalEnvironmental Immune DysfunctionImmune Dysfunction SocialSocial Most are related or interrelated, set up a reference forMost are related or interrelated, set up a reference for

dialogue between professionsdialogue between professions

Hereditary

Immune based

Environmental

Infectious Trauma

Toxic

Nutritional

Developmental

Congenital

Disease or

effectspopulation

Hereditary

Immune based

Environmental

Trauma Infectious

Toxic

Nutritional

Developmental

Congenital

Individual or Population

HereditaryHereditary

Transmitted or inherited from oneTransmitted or inherited from one’’ssancestorsancestors

CongenitalCongenital

Present at birthPresent at birth May be visuallyMay be visually

apparent (overt)apparent (overt) Or hidden- covertOr hidden- covert

such as metabolicsuch as metabolicissues withissues withcarbohydrates, fats,carbohydrates, fats,lipidslipids

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DevelopmentalDevelopmental Birth to maturityBirth to maturity May be inheritedMay be inherited

but not obvious atbut not obvious atbirthbirth

Musculoskeletal,Musculoskeletal,neurologicneurologicdevelopmentdevelopment

NutritionalNutritional

Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts

Individual effects Individual effects –– shift in body flora and shift in body flora andimmunityimmunity

Groups Groups –– pods, schools, species pods, schools, species Climatic Regime (change)Climatic Regime (change)

A reoccurring pattern of prevailing conditions andA reoccurring pattern of prevailing conditions andactivityactivity

Persistent shift could result in disruptive effectsPersistent shift could result in disruptive effectsthroughout the food chainthroughout the food chain

Temperature-microorganisms-plankton-crustaceans,Temperature-microorganisms-plankton-crustaceans,coral-fish-whales, seals, humanscoral-fish-whales, seals, humans

Sea Grasses affected Sea Grasses affected –– microorganisms, sea turtles, microorganisms, sea turtles,manateesmanatees

Anthropogenic Effects on theAnthropogenic Effects on theEnvironmentEnvironment

Chemical PollutionChemical Pollution• domestic sewage;• industrial discharges;• seepage from waste sites;• atmospheric fallout;• domestic run-off;• accidents and spills at sea;• operational discharges from

oil rigs;• mining discharges• Ship dumping• Off shore dump sites• agricultural run-off.

Persistent PollutantsPersistent Pollutants

PesticidesPesticides Organophosphates, carbamates, organochlorine,Organophosphates, carbamates, organochlorine,

pyrethyroids, biopesticidespyrethyroids, biopesticides Microbial, plant incorporated protectants, andMicrobial, plant incorporated protectants, and

biochemicalbiochemical PBT- Priority Persistent, Bioaccumulative and ToxicPBT- Priority Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic

PollutantsPollutants aldrin/dieldrin, benzo(a)pyrene, chlordane, DDT,aldrin/dieldrin, benzo(a)pyrene, chlordane, DDT,

hexachlorobenzene, alkyl-lead, mercury and compounds,hexachlorobenzene, alkyl-lead, mercury and compounds,mirex, octachlorostyrene, PCBs, dioxins and furans, andmirex, octachlorostyrene, PCBs, dioxins and furans, andtoxaphenetoxaphene

www.epa.gov/chemfact/www.epa.gov/chemfact/ www.epa.gov/oppt/pbt/pubs/pbtstrat.htmwww.epa.gov/oppt/pbt/pubs/pbtstrat.htm

Marine Mammal PollutionMarine Mammal PollutionExposureExposure

Storage may differ with pollutant involvedStorage may differ with pollutant involved Bioaccumulation through the food chain to multipleBioaccumulation through the food chain to multiple

organs, blood, fatorgans, blood, fat

Effects may be dependent on reaching a toxicEffects may be dependent on reaching a toxiclevel, reaching a level that may impair normallevel, reaching a level that may impair normalfunction and development (immune modulation)function and development (immune modulation)or being released to the developing fetus as aor being released to the developing fetus as anutritional source during nursing which maynutritional source during nursing which mayresult in fetal compromise or still born calvesresult in fetal compromise or still born calves

BiomonitoringBiomonitoring

Determine the impacts on marineDetermine the impacts on marinemammals, marine food chains and marinemammals, marine food chains and marineecosystem healthecosystem health

BiotoxinsBiotoxins Anthropogenic contaminantsAnthropogenic contaminants Infectious DiseasesInfectious Diseases

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Marine Mammal Protection ActMarine Mammal Protection Act

Congress - 1972 National moratorium of theCongress - 1972 National moratorium of the““taketake”” of all marine mammals of all marine mammals

Congress - 1972 established MMPACongress - 1972 established MMPA MMPA - NOAA/NMFS has authority for allMMPA - NOAA/NMFS has authority for all

cetaceans and pinnipeds except walruscetaceans and pinnipeds except walrus Congress Congress –– 1992 Title IV MMPA established 1992 Title IV MMPA established

Marine Mammal Health and StrandingMarine Mammal Health and StrandingResponse ProgramResponse Program Stranding Response AgreementsStranding Response Agreements Unusual Mortality Event Response andUnusual Mortality Event Response and

FundingFunding Collection of scientific dataCollection of scientific data Establishment of Release GuidelinesEstablishment of Release Guidelines Establishment of Tissue BankEstablishment of Tissue Bank Establishment of Prescott Grant ProgramEstablishment of Prescott Grant Program

Marine Mammal Health andMarine Mammal Health andStranding ResponseStranding Response

ProgramProgramGoals driven by LegislationGoals driven by Legislation CDC analogyCDC analogy Reference health dataReference health data Health trendsHealth trends Correlate health with physical, chemical,Correlate health with physical, chemical,

environmental, and biological parametersenvironmental, and biological parameters Coordinate effective response to unusualCoordinate effective response to unusual

mortality eventsmortality events

Marine Mammal Health andMarine Mammal Health andStranding ResponseStranding Response

ProgramProgramComponentsComponents Stranding NetworkStranding Network Disentanglement NetworkDisentanglement Network Unusual Mortality EventsUnusual Mortality Events BiomonitoringBiomonitoring Tissue/Serum BankTissue/Serum Bank Analytical Quality AssuranceAnalytical Quality Assurance Information ManagementInformation Management Prescott Grant ProgramPrescott Grant Program

Biomonitoring, Research,Biomonitoring, Research,DevelopmentDevelopment

SurveillanceSurveillance Biological effects ofBiological effects of

anthropogenicanthropogenicchemicals, elements,chemicals, elements,and pharmaceuticalsand pharmaceuticals

Biological effects ofBiological effects ofbiotoxinsbiotoxins BrevetoxinBrevetoxin Domoic acidDomoic acid CiguatoxinCiguatoxin SaxitoxinSaxitoxin

DiseaseDisease HerpesHerpes BrucellaBrucella MorbillivirusMorbillivirus ErysipelothrixErysipelothrix

Acoustic traumaAcoustic trauma Increasing oceanIncreasing ocean

noisenoise SonarSonar BlastBlast

Disentanglement Network

Using a grapple Using a pole and “flying” hook

National Marine MammalNational Marine MammalTissue BankTissue Bank

National Institute ofNational Institute ofStandards andStandards andTechnologyTechnology

Multiple partnersMultiple partners Samples from overSamples from over

400 animals400 animals Long termLong term Strict protocols (trng.Strict protocols (trng.

and equipmentand equipmentprovided)provided)

Tissue Access PolicyTissue Access Policy

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Quality Assurance ProgramQuality Assurance Program

Control and reference materialsControl and reference materials Interlaboratory comparisons Interlaboratory comparisons

Organic laboratories (17)Organic laboratories (17) Inorganic laboratories (11)Inorganic laboratories (11)

Data quality standards for all Data quality standards for allanalysesanalyses Currently for chemical contaminantsCurrently for chemical contaminants Developing for biotoxinsDeveloping for biotoxins, , serologyserology

Services for the NetworkServices for the Network(supported by MMHSRP)(supported by MMHSRP)

DiagnosticDiagnostic Pathology and specialPathology and special

diagnostics (AFIP)diagnostics (AFIP) Biotoxin analysisBiotoxin analysis Contaminant analysisContaminant analysis Viral andViral and

Bacterial screensBacterial screens MorbillivirusMorbillivirus LeptospiraLeptospira BrucellaBrucella Herpes virusHerpes virus ErysipelothrixErysipelothrix

Marine Mammal Health andMarine Mammal Health andStranding Response ProgramStranding Response Program

National Database National Database

DATALevel A (mandatory)Level BLevel C

Marine Mammal Unusual MortalityMarine Mammal Unusual MortalityEventsEvents

Stranding that is unexpectedStranding that is unexpected Involves a significant die off of any marineInvolves a significant die off of any marine

mammal populationmammal population Demands immediate responseDemands immediate response Indicators of Ocean HealthIndicators of Ocean Health Implications for human healthImplications for human health 41 events since 199141 events since 1991

UMEUME

Legislative Mandate (Title IV of MMPA)Legislative Mandate (Title IV of MMPA) To investigate unusual mortalities ofTo investigate unusual mortalities of

marine mammals (NMFS and FWS)marine mammals (NMFS and FWS) Formal Process and Contingency FundFormal Process and Contingency Fund Executive Secretary - NMFSExecutive Secretary - NMFS Workgroup Workgroup –– 12 professionals with variety 12 professionals with variety

of scientific expertise (WGUMME)of scientific expertise (WGUMME) Onsite Coordinator training and dutiesOnsite Coordinator training and duties

Unusual Mortality EventsUnusual Mortality Events 20032003

Humpback whalesHumpback whales Minke whales andMinke whales and

harbor sealsharbor seals ManateesManatees

20022002 Multiple speciesMultiple species ManateesManatees

20012001 Gray whalesGray whales H. monk sealsH. monk seals Bottlenose dolphinsBottlenose dolphins

20002000 California sea lionsCalifornia sea lions Harbor sealsHarbor seals Gray whalesGray whales Bottlenose dolphinsBottlenose dolphins

• 2004-Bottlenose dolphin-Mixed species dolphin

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23 of 41 have documented causes23 of 41 have documented causes InfectionInfection BiotoxinBiotoxin Human interactionsHuman interactions MalnutritionMalnutrition

2005-2006 Multi-species (manatees and bottlenose dolphins)2005-2006 Multi-species (manatees and bottlenose dolphins)

Florida (west coast) Biotoxin Florida (west coast) Biotoxin

2005 Harbor porpoises North Carolina Undetermined2005 Harbor porpoises North Carolina Undetermined

2005 Large whales North Atlantic Undetermined2005 Large whales North Atlantic Undetermined

2005-2006 Bottlenose dolphins Florida (Panhandle) Biotoxin2005-2006 Bottlenose dolphins Florida (Panhandle) Biotoxin

2006 Sea otters Alaska Undetermined2006 Sea otters Alaska Undetermined

2006 Humpback whales North Atlantic Undetermined2006 Humpback whales North Atlantic Undetermined

2006 Pinnipeds North Atlantic Undetermined2006 Pinnipeds North Atlantic Undetermined

2006 Harbor porpoises Pacific Northwest Undetermined2006 Harbor porpoises Pacific Northwest Undetermined

2006 Manatees Florida (Everglades) Biotoxin2006 Manatees Florida (Everglades) Biotoxin

2007 Bottlenose dolphins Texas and Louisiana Undetermined2007 Bottlenose dolphins Texas and Louisiana Undetermined

2007 Cetaceans California Undetermined2007 Cetaceans California Undetermined

2007 Manatees Florida (SW) Biotoxin2007 Manatees Florida (SW) Biotoxin

2000 Harbor seals California Infectious2000 Harbor seals California Infectious 2001 Bottlenose dolphins Florida (IR)2001 Bottlenose dolphins Florida (IR)

Undetermined Undetermined 2001-2002 Hawaiian monk seals Hawaii2001-2002 Hawaiian monk seals Hawaii (Northwest Hawaiian Islands) (Northwest Hawaiian Islands)

Ecological Factors Ecological Factors 2002 Multispecies (common dolphins,2002 Multispecies (common dolphins, California sea lion, sea otters) CaliforniaCalifornia sea lion, sea otters) California

Biotoxin Biotoxin 2002 Manatees Florida (west coast) Biotoxin2002 Manatees Florida (west coast) Biotoxin 2003 Sea otters California Ecological Factors2003 Sea otters California Ecological Factors 2003 Large whales (primarily humpback whales)2003 Large whales (primarily humpback whales)

Gulf of Maine UndeterminedGulf of Maine Undetermined 2003 Manatees Florida (west coast) Biotoxin2003 Manatees Florida (west coast) Biotoxin 2003 Harbor seals and Minke whales Maine Undetermined2003 Harbor seals and Minke whales Maine Undetermined 2004 Bottlenose dolphins Florida (Panhandle) Biotoxin2004 Bottlenose dolphins Florida (Panhandle) Biotoxin 2004 Small cetaceans Virginia Undetermined2004 Small cetaceans Virginia Undetermined 2004 Small cetaceans North Carolina Undetermined2004 Small cetaceans North Carolina Undetermined

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UMEUME

23 of 41 causes determined23 of 41 causes determined Infectious disease 6Infectious disease 6 Biotoxin 12Biotoxin 12 Human Interaction 2Human Interaction 2 Ecological factors 3Ecological factors 3 What is causing the others?What is causing the others?

Undetermined CausesUndetermined Causes

Different causes with outDifferent causes with outcurrent tests available?current tests available?

Low sensitivity of tests?Low sensitivity of tests? Low specificityLow specificity Poor conservation ofPoor conservation of

common gene segmentscommon gene segments Wrong testWrong test Inadequate suite of testsInadequate suite of tests

InfectiousInfectious toxictoxic

Infectious DiseaseInfectious Disease

Viral, Bacterial, Fungal, ParasiticViral, Bacterial, Fungal, Parasitic ViralViral

Morbilli virusMorbilli virus HerpesHerpes

ParasiticParasitic

BacterialBacterial ErysipelasErysipelas BrucellaBrucella LeptoLepto

FungalFungal LobomycosisLobomycosis

?Primary or secondary- Immune weakness??Primary or secondary- Immune weakness?

EmergingEmerging West NileWest Nile Interspecies exposure Interspecies exposure –– distemper distemper

virusesviruses Avian InfluenzaAvian Influenza San Miguel Sea Lion virusSan Miguel Sea Lion virus toxoplasmosis in Sea otterstoxoplasmosis in Sea otters

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Leptospira Leptospira interrogans interrogans (n=71)-(n=71)-microagglutinationmicroagglutination bratislava bratislava 8.5%8.5% autumnalis autumnalis 4.2%4.2% pyrogenes pyrogenes 2.8 %2.8 % sejroe sejroe 2.8%2.8% canicola canicola 1.4%1.4% australis australis 1.4%1.4%

Brucella Brucella suis suis card test 7% poscard test 7% pos

Viral Serology n=71Viral Serology n=71

Bovine adenovirus 5 38% IPTBovine adenovirus 5 38% IPT Bovine adenovirus 1 26%Bovine adenovirus 1 26% SMSV 1 21%SMSV 1 21% Bovine corona virus 5.6%Bovine corona virus 5.6% Avian Influenza 1.4%Avian Influenza 1.4%

EEE 90% EEE 90% Hemmaglutination InhHemmaglutination Inh VEE 80%VEE 80% WEE 77.5%WEE 77.5%

Serum neutralization negative for WEE,Serum neutralization negative for WEE,SLE, and VEESLE, and VEE

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Biomonitoring MethodsBiomonitoring Methods

Stranded or beached animals healthStranded or beached animals healthevaluationevaluation

Bycatch animalsBycatch animals Health Assessments populationsHealth Assessments populations

Blood samples, fecal, stomach contents,Blood samples, fecal, stomach contents, Tissue BiopsiesTissue Biopsies

Open Water SamplingOpen Water Sampling

Biopsy DartsBiopsy Darts

SINGLE STRANDINGSSINGLE STRANDINGS

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINSBOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS PYGMY SPERM WHALEPYGMY SPERM WHALE SPERM WHALESPERM WHALE BRYDEBRYDE’’S WHALES WHALE BEAKED WHALEBEAKED WHALE MINKE WHALEMINKE WHALE STENELLASTENELLA

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MASSMASS STRANDINGSSTRANDINGS

13 SPECIES13 SPECIES USUALLY DEEP WATER,USUALLY DEEP WATER,

TOOTHED WHALESTOOTHED WHALES

Dolphin Health AssessmentsDolphin Health Assessments

In response to UMEIn response to UME PanhandlePanhandle TexasTexas

Prospective multi yearProspective multi year North CarolinaNorth Carolina SarasotaSarasota Indian River LagoonIndian River Lagoon

Trace Elements Trace Elements –– Heavy metals Heavy metals

Naturally found in the environmentNaturally found in the environment usual exposure through water and food sourcesusual exposure through water and food sources Levels may be influenced by human activities Levels may be influenced by human activities ––

Coal plantsCoal plants Increased exposure through construction,Increased exposure through construction,

development, change in water managementdevelopment, change in water management(Everglades Restoration)(Everglades Restoration)

Many involved in normal biological processes.Many involved in normal biological processes.Others considered Others considered ““toxic or potentially toxictoxic or potentially toxic””

Heavy Metals-Trace ElementsHeavy Metals-Trace Elements

ArsenicArsenic AntimonyAntimony ArsenicArsenic BerylliumBeryllium CadmiumCadmium Chromium III,IVChromium III,IV CopperCopper LeadLead MercuryMercury Methyl mercuryMethyl mercury

NickelNickel SeleniumSelenium SilverSilver ThalliumThallium ZincZinc

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Trace Element InvestigationsTrace Element Investigations

Necropsy -Tissue levels are a standardNecropsy -Tissue levels are a standardapproachapproach

Blood, urine and hair in peopleBlood, urine and hair in people Blood, urine, skin in marine mammalsBlood, urine, skin in marine mammals

Dietary Sources of IntoxicationDietary Sources of Intoxication

Food chain paths may differFood chain paths may differ Sediment to plantSediment to plant Sediment to algae, to juvenileSediment to algae, to juvenile Sediment to crustacean, fish, squid to seaSediment to crustacean, fish, squid to sea

turtle or mammalturtle or mammal

Speciation of Toxic MetalsSpeciation of Toxic Metals

ArsenicArsenic–– Toxin and Carcinogen Toxin and Carcinogen Enters through water or food chainEnters through water or food chain

Skin and lung cancerSkin and lung cancer Cardiovascular effects, hypertensionCardiovascular effects, hypertension Variety of formsVariety of forms

Inorganic highly toxic Inorganic highly toxic ––arsenite and arsenatearsenite and arsenate Methylated in the body to less toxic forms except for 20% asMethylated in the body to less toxic forms except for 20% as

inorganicinorganic Arsenbetaine excreted in the same form usually from marineArsenbetaine excreted in the same form usually from marine

food products food products –– least toxic form least toxic form

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Harmful Algal BloomsHarmful Algal Blooms

Proliferation of a toxic or nuisance algalProliferation of a toxic or nuisance algalspecies that negatively affects naturalspecies that negatively affects naturalresources or humansresources or humans

Loss of vegetationLoss of vegetation Floating dead fishFloating dead fish Dead sea turtle, birds, manatees, cetaceanDead sea turtle, birds, manatees, cetacean Human effects may be secondary toHuman effects may be secondary to

contaminated sea food or respiratory incontaminated sea food or respiratory innature from aerosolized toxinsnature from aerosolized toxins

Flagellates (dinoflagellates), single celledFlagellates (dinoflagellates), single celledwith organic walls, whip like flagellawith organic walls, whip like flagella 70% of HABS70% of HABS

Diatoms Diatoms –– siliceous glass boxes siliceous glass boxes Blue green algae (cyanobacteria) mostBlue green algae (cyanobacteria) most

primitiveprimitive HABs can occur in fresh water MicrocytisHABs can occur in fresh water Microcytis

http://www.floridamarine.org/features/view_article.asp?id=24273

Alexandrium monilatum hemolysins, PSP

Chattonella subsalsa , brevetoxin

Dinophysis caudata

Gonyaulax grindleyi

Gonyaulax polygramma

Karenia brevis brevetoxin brevetoxinneurotoxic shell fish poisoning (NSP)neurotoxic shell fish poisoning (NSP), respiratory, respiratory

•Karenia mikimotoi hemolytic

Lingulodinium polyedrum saxotoxinCaliforniaProrocentrum lima okadaic acid,DSP ,not in gulf

Protoperidinium quinquecorne Non toxic,causes low oxygen levels

Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima domoic acid, amnesic shell fish poisoning

Takayama pulchella ichthyotoxins and ichthyotoxins andbrevetoxins, fish kills, respiratorybrevetoxins, fish kills, respiratory

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