Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance, Inc.

PROTECT WILD DOLPHINS ALLIANCE, INC.
​​MISSION STATEMENT: To protect marine wildlife by harnessing the power and passion and the collaborative spirit of dedicated professionals that deliver meaningful management yield through sustained research, conservation and public education programs.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES: PWDA believes conservation is best accomplished through the power of strategic partnerships with agency partners, regional stakeholders, educational institutions and charitable organizations. PWDA recognizes the importance of full transparency and consistent communications, and seeks to create opportunities for teaching conservation medicine to the next generation who will inherit the many challenges of Climate Change.

The Protect Wild Dolphins specialty license plate is now available in South Carolina for a fee of $60.00 every two years in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee. A portion of the fees collected has been specifically earmarked to assist local organizations and agencies who have the required credentials, licenses and permits to collect, analyze and archive scientific data regarding the dolphin population in South Carolina waters.  See below for funding distributions.
You can purchase the plate online through SCDMV by clicking here, Choose 'Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance'
Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance, Inc., d/b/a Protect Wild Dolphins is a registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization operates exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes, including but not limited to the support and conduct of research, scientific and educational activities for the protection and preservation of marine mammals, including, but not limited to, release to the wild programs, the rescue, rehabilitation, release and/or retirement of marine mammals.
Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance rescues and rehabilitates stranded marine mammals in order to advance science and education in marine wildlife health and conservation and believes in the humane treatment of all sick and injured marine animals. 
​Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance seeks to advance the One Ocean One Health concept in order to protect our ocean heritage.​

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​Marine mammals act as sentinels of changes in the ocean environment that could impact human health. Stranding networks and photo identification programs play a crucial part in protecting marine mammals and facilitating ground-breaking research, without which many scientific breakthroughs would not have occurred.
​Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are top predators and, as such, useful bio-indicators of the health and status of the marine environment. Gaining a better understanding of dolphin populations both in coastal and offshore waters – including their ecological comparison and knowledge of their ranging patterns – is crucial to protecting cetacean species and making conservation and management decisions for Marine Protected Areas. 

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All new license plate design will be available from December 1, 2022.

Funding Distribution

Grant in the amount of $6,729.24 to the South Carolina Aquarium ("SCA"), for programs including the SCA's "Adopt a Wild Dolphin" initiative and SCA's "Harbor Happenings" program focusing on wild dolphins. SCA's mission is to inspire conservation of the natural world by exhibiting and caring for animals, by excelling in education and research and by providing an exceptional visitor experience.

Grant in the amount of $9,950.00 to the Low Country Institute ("LCI"), the outreach initiative of the Spring Island Trust. Since its inception, LCI has focused its efforts in three areas: environmental education, effective management of native habitats, and water quality protection. The Institute’s work in these areas demonstrates their unique approach—seeking solutions that integrate sound science, realistic perspectives of human needs, and an increased appreciation of the low country’s notable habitats and biodiversity. LCI’s philosophy has been to provide policymakers with scientific information in a form that is understandable to the layperson. 

Grant in the amount of $5,000.00 to Low Country Marine Mammal Network (LMMN). ​LMMN is a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on protecting marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and seals) in South Carolina waters. ​The Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on protecting marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and seals) in South Carolina waters. The Lowcountry is home to approximately 350 year-round “resident” dolphins. These mammals rely on clean, safe and quiet water to hunt, socialize and rear young. Through collaboration with the South Carolina Marine Mammal Stranding Network (SCMMSN) administered by Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC), the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network hopes to increase awareness about marine mammals in coastal South Carolina, educate the general public on federal regulations and foster young stewards in ways to protect both marine mammals and their environment. The SCMMSN is authorized under a Letter of Authorization from NOAA Fisheries to respond to marine mammal strandings.