03/23/2025
On March 23, 1976, a pygmy s***m whale stranded in Atlantic City, NJ in front of Convention Hall, suffering from lacerations and bruises from struggling in the surf. MMSC's founding Director Bob Schoelkopf, who at the time was a Manager on the Steel Pier, was called in to assist the 1,500lb whale. With the help of Atlantic City Fire Dept, AC Public Works, U.S. Coast Guard, and Atlantic City personnel, Bob slid an inflatable raft under the injured whale, and it was floated around the inlet to the Coast Guard base. The whale was then hoisted into a Coast Guard wet storage tank filled with seawater. And so began the intensive round-the-clock care of the injured whale. Bob stayed by the whaleās side, caring for him day and night as a team of professionals and volunteers all worked together to provide supportive care for the ailing whale. Despite their ground-breaking efforts, the whale lost his fight and succumbed three days later to a heart condition. From this stranding event was born the idea that a great need existed for an organization that could help stranded, sick and injured marine mammals and sea turtles in New Jersey. Two years later, in March of 1978, with the help of the Oceanic Society, the MMSC opened its doors at Gardnerās Basin in Atlantic City.
In the early years MMSC handled approximately 20 animals annually, but soon the need for a larger facility grew. In 1983, the Brigantine Beach Patrol solicited the City of Brigantine to lease a bayside lot to MMSC and began a fund-raising campaign named "Project Holding Tank." The lifeguards continued their support by constructing a pool building, refurbishing a donated building as our office and an historic building to be utilized as a visitorsā center.
With the support of the community and countless volunteers, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center has come to the aid of over 6,280 marine mammals and sea turtles since opening our doors 47 years ago. Two things have always remained constant: our steadfast commitment to the animals and our appreciation for the support we have received from people all over New Jersey and beyond. Thank you for being an important part of this incredible journey!
