We were advised last Friday by the Accreditation Committee and the Alliance Board of Directors of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) that Alaska SeaLife Center has been awarded full accreditation. AMMPA was founded in 1987. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and is an international association representing more than 50 marine research and education facilities and professional associations. The Alliance is dedicated to the highest standards of care for marine mammals (see http://www.ammpa.org/).
Following evaluation of our history, governance and programs and an on-site review of our facilities by independent AMMPA accreditation inspectors in November, the ASLC received word that the evaluation report was exceptional and that we have been formally accepted. The ASLC is the only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility and the only public aquarium in Alaska housing marine mammals. This accreditation demonstrates the significance of the work being done by our husbandry and education staff, and reflects the high standards of animal care and research practice at the Alaska SeaLife Center.
Accreditation by AMMPA is also a major step on our path to better integrate and share knowledge with our global peers. It is one of our key action steps under our 2020 strategic plan, and represents the culmination of more than a year of effort by many staff, particularly our Director of Husbandry Brett Long, Mammal Coordinator Lisa Hartman, Senior Veterinarian, Carrie Goertz, Education Director Nikki Nelson and our expanded husbandry, life support and education teams.
We are looking forward to working closely with our peers in AMMPA accredited institutions to promote sharing of specialized husbandry knowledge and promote joint education programs.
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