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1-888-404-3922

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

or #FWC on your cell phone

If you see a stranded or deceased dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please immediately report to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1-888-404-3922.

You will be speaking with a dispatch operator. Please have a description of the animal’s size, condition, location, and other important information ready. Please also report if you see a dolphin, whale or sea turtle acting suspiciously, beaching themselves, or carrying fishing wire entanglements. We very much appreciate your assistance in keeping our animals safe!

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DEDICATED

To sea turtle and marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and release

It is the mission of Florida Panhandle Marine Institute (FPMI) formally known as Gulf World Marine Institute Inc. (GWMI) to:

1) lead, assist and manage the recovery and rehabilitation of stranded, sick or injured marine mammals or sea turtles

2) serve as an environmental educational tool for the local and national community

3) help facilitate marine and oceanographic research on a local and national level

OUR MISSION

FLORIDA PANHANDLE MARINE INSTITUTE

BY THE NUMBERS

16

marine mammals

in 2025

1,255

sea turtles

in 2025

450

TOTAL MARINE MAMMALS

(since 1972)

~ 7,000

TOTAL SEA TURTLES

(since 1972)

OUR

LATEST

NEWS

25
November

Sea turtle released as Gulf World Marine Institute announces new name

A rehabilitated sea turtle was released back into the Gulf this morning as the Florida Panhandle Marine Institute announced its…

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6
September

Friends at Paws In Paradise Animal Hospital

We extend our deepest gratitude to Paws In Paradise Animal Hospital at Inlet Beach for recently supporting the rehabilitation efforts…

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31
August

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Release

We are happy to announce the release of an adult female Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI)…

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30
May

Tyndall Turtle Trackers

Meet “Betsy!” Affectionately nicknamed “Squeak” for his/her adorably tiny size, Betsy is a juvenile green turtle that was found on…

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30
January

2025 Cold Stun Season Brings 1,200 Sea Turtles!

When Northwest Florida saw snowfall for the first time in decades earlier this year, sea turtles were also impacted! Twelve…

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15
February

Turtles Fly Too

Update: February 2021 Cold-stunned sea turtle strandings in New England have largely stopped for the 2020 season, and Gulf World…

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12
December

2020 Cold Stun Season at Gulf World Marine Institute – Updates!

Update: February 2021 Cold-stunned sea turtle strandings in New England have largely stopped for the 2020 season, and Gulf World…

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29
October

Chester Release Photos

In case you missed it, here are some photos from Chester’s release on Thursday, October 24, 2019.   

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11
July

Cold-Stunned Sea Turtle Release at St. George Island State Park

Gulf World to Release 3 Cold-Stunned Turtles from New England Aquarium at St. George Island State Park Thursday, June 13th…

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29
November

New England Cold Stunned Sea Turtles to be transported to Gulf World Marine Institute for Rehab

Gulf World Marine Institute received 54 cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and six green cold stunned sea turtles from the…

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20
November

Kermit Release 11-20-18

“Kermit” was brought to Gulf World Marine Institute on May 9, 2018 from St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. This loggerhead…

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20
September

Drax, Loggerhead Sea Turtle Release

Drax, a loggerhead sea turtle was brought to Gulf World Marine Institute on June 6, 2018 by a representative of…

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20
September

Joyful Fine Art Supports GWMI

Gulf World Marine Institute is honored that Joyful Fine Art is supporting our efforts. This beautiful painting called “Unaware” is…

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19
September

Update on Mantis

Update on “Mantis”: after being brought to GWMI on August 6th, Mantis has continued a steady improvement. Mantis has been…

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15
September

International Coastal Clean-up Day

In honor of International Coastal Clean-up Day, Gulf World Marine Institute teamed up to make a difference. Gulf World Marine…

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17
July

Paddy, a juvenile green sea turtle Released

Paddy, a juvenile green sea turtle was released into the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, July 17th 2018 promptly at…

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20
April

2018 Cold Stun Event

In early January 2018, Gulf World Marine Institute participated in the second-largest sea turtle cold stunning event of the state’s…

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1
December

Gulf World Marine Institute receives (NAUI Worldwide) Environmental Enrichment Award

Gulf World Marine Institute officially receives National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide) Environmental Enrichment Award. Danny Grizzard, long time local…

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25
August

2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Event

In April of 2010, the northern Gulf of Mexico was subject to the largest marine oil disaster in United States…

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20
April

2010 Cold Stun Event

In January of 2010, the state of Florida experienced a cold-stun event significantly larger than any in US history.  Multiple species…

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VOLUNTEER

Volunteer With FPMI

Florida Panhandle Marine Institute, Inc (FPMI), a 501c3 non-profit, is accepting applications for new volunteers. Volunteers with FPMI are crucial in the continued success of the program. We invite you to apply with us here. Please note, due to the nature of the ever-changing rescue and rehabilitation work conducted at FPMI, it may take us a bit of time to review your application and get back in touch with you!

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