Bottlenose Dolphins and Brevetoxins: A Coordinated Research and Response Plan

This research and response plan summarizes the current knowledge of the circumstances resulting in red tide associated bottlenose dolphin mortality events and identifies data needed to better understand the acute and chronic impacts of brevetoxin exposure on individuals and populations of bottlenose dolphins. Because critical information needed to fill these knowledge gaps can primarily be obtained during these unpredictable red tide events, the response plan was developed to facilitate efficient data gathering and integration by the numerous organizations and agencies that participate in such investigations. This bottlenose dolphin – brevetoxin research and response plan is a product of a workshop held at Walt Disney World Resorts in Orlando, Florida between December 13 and 15, 2004.