by Hunter Dawkins
At 11:30am Saturday, a bottled-nosed dolphin carcass washed up to the shores of the West Pass Christian beach. According to the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) spokesman Dr. Mystera Samuelson, this is not bizarre.
“Due to the Mississippi Sound having the largest bottle-nosed dolphin in the United States, this not an unusual situation,” said Dr. Samuelson, who is a Behavioral Ecologist for IMMS. “If there is a sharp decline of this species, we will let the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) know.”
After the routine necropsy is completed, IMMS will release a report on the carcass and the reason. Dr. Samuelson expressed a routine during the spring and early summer, but gave no real concern.
“Based on different scenarios, this may have occurred,” stated Dr. Samuelson. “Any possible public concern, DEQ would be informed as they and DMR regulate seafood.”
IMMS, Inc., which is based out of Gulfport and the Mississippi State University have a partnership with veterinarian studies. The carcass will be reviewed amongst both and the Level A study should be released by IMMS shortly following.
