MARS collaborates with expert organizations, regionally, nationally and internationally, to ensure human safety, enhance the welfare of animals and collect valuable data from which we can learn more about these species and the threats they face.

Founded in 2007, the Maritime Marine Animal Response Network (MMARN) was created by partners across the Canadian Maritime Provinces to respond to distressed and deceased marine animals, supporting conservation, welfare, and science.

Network members, coordinated through the Marine Animal Response Society (MARS), respond to cetaceans, pinnipeds, sea turtles, and increasingly, sharks. They assist as needed and collect data and samples, recording species, sex, size, and signs of human interaction, with efforts to gather additional biological samples or conduct full necropsies when possible.

The Marine Animal Response Society would not be able to operate without the dedication of our volunteers and the generous support—both past and present—of the following organizations:

Habitat Stewardship Program

Dalhousie Association of Marine Biology Students