Rescue Facility, Home to Winter the Dolphin, Launches Global Research Institute

Clearwater Marine Aquarium merges with renowned research group to protect manatees, sea turtles, and North Atlantic right whales

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Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Feb 12, 2019, 15:26 ET

CLEARWATER, Fla., Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), home to Winter the rescued dolphin featured in the movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, has launched a research institute that will expand worldwide to protect manatees, sea turtles and North Atlantic right whales. CMA has merged with renowned research organization Sea to Shore Alliance, introducing a new division under CMA called Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium merges with renowned research group Sea to Shore Alliance to protect manatees, sea turtles, and North Atlantic right whales. Photo of right whales taken under NOAA permit #15488.

Executive Director James "Buddy" Powell, Ph.D., a distinguished scientist with over 50 years of field experience, will continue to lead this group of world-renowned scientists and researchers. Dr. Powell and his team have made critical advancements over the past 10 years by gathering key research data on manatees, right whales, and sea turtles and providing this to policy makers. The merger of Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Sea to Shore Alliance under the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute banner will generate an expansion of this critical work. This includes expanding into new geographical areas, while ensuring the work reaches millions through CMA's global media reach.

"The collection and distribution of research data is vital for the improvement of our oceans and the marine life that calls them home," says David Yates, CEO of CMA. "We are thrilled to announce the launch of Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute and the merging with this team of transformative scientists. The work that they have done has made huge environmental strides and we are excited to combine efforts to evoke change, to educate, and to inspire."

To learn more about Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, visit: cmaresearchinstitute.org.
Click here to download video from the press conference, including interviews with Dr. James "Buddy" Powell, Executive Director of Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute and David Yates, CEO of CMA.

For more information contact Julia Anderson at [email protected] or 727-686-3499.

About Clearwater Marine Aquarium:

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, nurse sharks and more. Winter the dolphin's story of survival, after an injury that caused her to lose her tail, has impacted millions of people around the world. Major motion picture Dolphin Tale (2011) features Winter's story and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the incredible story of Hope, a young resident dolphin of CMA. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts important global research focused on protecting manatees, right whales and sea turtles. The mission and potential to change people's lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.

WE BELIEVE in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life, environmental education, research and conservation.

249 Windward Passage | Clearwater, FL 33767 | 727.441.1790 | SeeWinter.com

SOURCE Clearwater Marine Aquarium