North Virginia Beach , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Neighborhood Alert!
Brainwaves at the Beach
— Marine Mammals —
Beware Boats
Ship strike is a leading cause of death for slow-swimming right whales, a critically endangered species. If careless, even people operating smaller boats or personal watercraft such as jet skis can disrupt and endanger marine mammals.
Accidental Entanglement
Marine mammals usually can avoid fishing gear, but occasionally they get entangled in nets, fishing lines or hooks. The Virginia Aquarium collaborates with commercial fishermen and Federal agencies to develop equipment and practices less likely to impact species such as bottlenose dolphins.
Dangerous Debris
Dolphins and whales can mistake plastic debris and balloons in the water for food and may die from the ingestion of such trash. Many local organizations, including school environmental clubs, are raising awareness of the ocean trash issue through special events and projects.
Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program
If a marine mammal strands on the beach, the Virginia Aquarium is authorized by NOAAA Fisheries to remove the animal for examination or emergency medical care. Stranded animals that can be rehabilitated are released back into their natural habitat. Dead animas are carefully studied to determine cause of death and to collect scientific data that provides a better understanding of the biology and life history of these fascinating species.
If you find a live or dead stranded marine mammal or sea turtle, call Virginia Aquarium Standing Response Team’s 24-hour hotline at (757)437-6159.
(captions)
Right whale calf with propeller cuts
When in a boat, stay at least 50 yards from dolphins, 100 yards from most large whales and 500 yards from right whales.
Freeing a dolphin from a fishing net
Dolphin wrapped in crab pot line
Don’t cast lines or set nets near marine mammals.
Beach clean-up
Recycle, properly dispose of trash, and don’t release balloons.
Stranding Response Team in action
Erected by This project was funded by a grant from National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment.
Location. 36° 50.669′ N, 75° 58.382′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in North Virginia Beach. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and 16th Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1503 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach VA 23451, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Who's in the neighborhood? (here, next to this marker); What Are These Things? (within shouting distance of this marker); John Wareing (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grace Sherwood (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); Douglas MacArthur (approx. 0.2 miles away); Booker T. Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cyrus Hall McCormick (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 212 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.