ABOUT THE MARINE ANIMAL RESPONSE SOCIETY
The Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) is a Nova Scotia-based charitable organization dedicated to marine animal conservation through response, research and engagement.
Our goal is to build relationships that result in the conservation, recovery and stewardship of all marine animals and ocean ecosystems.
WHAT WE DO
LIVE ANIMAL RESPONSE
We assess and handle live animals and determine the appropriate course of action.
DEAD ANIMAL RESPONSE
We conduct investigations to collect valuable data and determine cause of death.TRAINING
We provide training on species identification, data collection and response to incidents involving marine animals.VOLUNTEER AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
Over the last 20 years, we’ve trained over 400 volunteers across the Maritimes. MARS volunteers provide critical support by visiting sites, confirming reports of dead or distressed marine animals, or by collecting data including photos, measurements and samples.
We also train professionals to support response to incidents involving marine mammals. Our marine animal medic course is the first and only of its kind in Canada, and provides training on marine species, their conservation status and most importantly, safe methods to respond to dead and distressed animals.
.
We also train professionals to support response to incidents involving marine mammals. Our marine animal medic course is the first and only of its kind in Canada, and provides training on marine species, their conservation status and most importantly, safe methods to respond to dead and distressed animals.
.
EMERGENCY HOTLINE
To report stranded, injured, entangled or dead marine animals in the Canadian Maritime Provinces call:
CONTACT US
Marine Animal Response Society (MARS)
mars@marineanimals.ca
For non-emergency calls, reach MARS staff between 9am and 6pm AST:
902-423-2883
VOLUNTEER WITH MARS
Every year, MARS staff and volunteers respond to incidents involving dead and distressed marine animals throughout the Maritime provinces. While we collaborate with a number of organizations, it is through the dedication and hard work of volunteers across the Maritime provinces the we continue to be successful.
Incidents can be sporadic and unpredictable in nature, and we often need volunteers to visit sites, confirm a report of a dead or distressed marine animal, and to collect data including photos, measurements and possibly even samples. If MARS responders are on scene to direct rescue efforts, there may be additional opportunities to help
MARS is committed to providing its volunteers with opportunities to safely engage in, and benefit from, participating in a number of different response activities.
We need volunteers to visit sites, to confirm a report of a dead or distressed marine animal and to collect data (i.e. photos, measurements and possibly samples). If MARS responders are on scene to direct rescue efforts, there may be additional opportunities to help response efforts; however, incidents are unpredictable and we cannot guarantee when or where they will happen.
Thus, some volunteers may get called often, while others not as much.
