Ongoing Research Opportunities

Marine Mammal Stranding Network

The Marine Mammal Stranding Network is a volunteer organization within the Student Oceanic Society Club, where students work directly with Marine Mammal Biologists at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Volunteers are involved in carcass recovery and transport, performing necropsies, rescue and transport of injured live animals, filing reports, and other opportunities that may arise. Participation in the Networks gives students an extraordinary hands-on opportunity to learn about the marine mammals that utilize Northeast Florida and the basic biology of different types of cetaceans and manatees. In order to gain this valuable experience, students involved in the Network must be dedicated and willing to allocate an appropriate amount of time.

Nearshore Reef Monitoring and Research

Due to ongoing research grants received by Dr. Dan McCarthy, students have the opportunity to participate in a semi-monthly monitoring program of nearshore reefs along Florida's Southeast Coast. Students also work on a variety of independent and/or ongoing projects involving coastal marine ecology.

Shark Tagging Program

JU students and staff participate in the St. Simons Island Sharkin' Club, whose members catch and release sharks for research purposes. Sharks are tagged for ongoing studies by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Fin samples and morphological data are collected for Texas Department of Natural Resources/Texas A&M University.