Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network holds 7th annual Dolphin Week

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — This week is an opportunity to inform the public about our local dolphins.

The Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network will host a variety of events to help people learn about marine mammals and the work they do.

It's especially crucial to be mindful of the dolphins year-round, especially in the warmer months.

LMMN executive director Lauren Rust says they get more stranding calls in the Spring because the nice weather brings more boaters to the waters, meaning more vessel strikes and strandings.

READ MORE: "Adult male dwarf sperm whale stranded on Sullivan's Island beach euthanized: LMMN."

"So for stranding response, we rely on the public. They are our eyes, you know, and ears on the water and report strandings to us, but also just to know that there are local dolphins, what the regulations and rules are, how to view them responsibly so that we can protect them so they're here for all of us to enjoy for many years to come," said Rust.

This is the seventh annual Dolphin Week LMMN has hosted.

A couple of activities include Golfin' for Dolphins and a sunset kayak!

Their biggest event of the week is Dolphin Count on Saturday morning. Hundreds of community members and scientists go to one of the 13 stations around the peninsula to count dolphins!

READ MORE: "New boat will help Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network protect and study wildlife along the coast."

This week is crucial in making people more aware of and protecting our local dolphins.

"We meet so many community members that come out and maybe didn't know much about dolphins, didn't know we have local dolphins," said Ruse. "We have some great community partners, so it's just, it's great to bring, you know, other organizations and businesses together and then obviously getting to see dolphins and talk about dolphins with everybody."

For more information on Dolphin Week and how you can get involved, click here.