The mission of the WHOI Marine Mammal Center (MMC)—now in its
second year—is to develop strength in basic research and
technology, concentrating on conservation applications through
strategic partnerships and interdisciplinary approaches. The
Marine Mammal Center, funded in May 2008 by a generous gift from
Pete and Ginny Nicholas and family, builds on WHOI’s expertise,
capabilities and facilities—including ships, vehicles, and a
state-of-the-art laboratory, testing, and imaging facility. To
better study marine mammals and improve prospects for their
conservation, the MMC promotes the development of
interdisciplinary teams and new opportunities, new research
initiatives in critical areas, and important outreach
activities. Marine mammals offer unique opportunities for basic
research. They can dive for more than an hour, down to 2 km,
under pressures exceeding 200 atmospheres. These extreme diving
capabilities are fascinating to respiratory physiologists.
Marine mammals have some of the most sophisticated audit