Stephen McCulloch is one of the few professionals to have worked for decades with both the marine mammal zoological industry and conservation research communities around the world. His broad understanding of today’s issues and his global perspective enable him to offer singularly creative solutions to meet the demands of an ever-changing seascape.
Stephen McCulloch is a dedicated professional with more than four decades of experience. He has been twice nominated as a finalist to receive the world’s most prestigious conservation award, the Indianapolis Prize, and the Blue Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also an award-winning photographer with published images in National Geographic, American Scientist, and Nature magazines and has been a technical consultant for two Oscar and Emmy award-winning films. He is the author of more than thirty abstracts and co-author of more than forty peer-reviewed publications. He also wrote legislative language for the Florida Oceans Initiative and helped pass three unprecedented Florida State laws that have raised more than seventy million dollars in funding for marine mammal health, research, and conservation.
McCulloch has designed, managed, and operated specialized marine mammal laboratories, sea-pen facilities, rehabilitation centers, and life support systems. He has played pivotal roles in the successful rehabilitation, native reintroduction, and post-release monitoring of numerous whales, dolphins, and pinnipeds. As a NOAA Fisheries authorized investigator he conducts marine mammal population and acoustic surveys of dolphins and critically endangered North Atlantic Right whales. Since 2003, he has led more than a dozen complex dolphin health and environmental risk assessments requiring management and logistical coordination of hundreds of scientists, veterinarians, and collaborators from around the world. Today, McCulloch’s focus is on improving health and welfare of marine mammals in human care, conservation of wild populations, and support for global stranding networks.
Steve McCulloch has been a friend and colleague for over a decade. He was instrumental in helping establish my non-profit organization EarthEcho International and raising $1M in seed funding to launch several conservation initiatives. He is also a valued member of my team at my company Voyacy Ventures as a visionary voice for innovative experiential conservation initiatives. We are fortunate to have Steve lend his passion, voice, and wealth of knowledge about marine mammals in support of our global mission of education and conservation.
Steve McCulloch is one of the most respected and knowledgeable people in the marine mammal industry. His help has been instrumental in the development of CMA’s research and conservation programs.
Steve McCulloch is one of the most skilled and dedicated marine mammalogists, rehabilitators, and researchers in the field today. He is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in the rehabilitation and release of marine mammals and is a consummate professional who is known for placing the health of the animal and the safety of his staff above all else.
Steve McCulloch is proof that one person can make a difference. He is an icon of the marine mammal conservation and scientific communities. Through his legislative initiatives, Steve has raised more than $1M for the Wyland Foundation and serves as one of our Environmental Ambassadors.
In a global search for a marine mammal professional who could help us stabilize the health and guide a rehabilitative process to reintroduce two dolphins back to the wild we were fortunate to locate Steve McCulloch. He is exceptionally knowledgeable and possesses strong leadership skills, great passion, and showed respect for all of our team members.
I have seen Steve McCulloch patiently build a world-class team of researchers and educators. The top-notch quality of his many colleagues and team members speaks volumes about him as a program manager and leader.
Over the past 30 years, Steve McCulloch has always impressed me with his tireless work ethic and ability to take stakeholders on board for solving difficult problems concerning marine mammal issues.
If not for Steve McCulloch’s direct involvement, it is highly unlikely that either Dolphin Tale or Dolphins Tale 2 feature films would have ever been made. It is with great confidence that Steve calmly directed CMA staff and his team in the rescue and provided life saving care to two injured neonate dolphins that would soon become marine mammal icons.
Working alongside Steve McCulloch is without question, one of the highest honors and experiences of my lifetime career in the field of marine mammal sciences. His tenacity and passion in implementing and facilitating visionary programs has earned him a worldwide reputation. His devotion to his work is contagious and his work ethic is superb and unstoppable.
—Robin B. Friday, Sr., President, CEO, Ocean Embassy, Inc.
Steve McCulloch has demonstrated his wealth of skills and dedication in faithful service as a key member of Florida's marine mammal health and stranding response network, which I highly valued while leading NOAA. He is clearly without peer in his experience and knowledge of dolphin care and handling, as well as the safety precautions necessary to protect both animals and humans.
Steve McCulloch is a visionary marine mammal research operations executive whose skill at managing multiple projects is impressive. His remarkable body of work on behalf of the underwater environment and marine mammals has earned him the respect of his peers.
I’ve enjoyed working alongside Steve on numerous dolphin health and environmental risk assessments that he has directed. As a research scientist, a veterinarian and a four-time mission specialist aboard NASA’s space shuttles, I can honestly say that Steve is a world-class program manager.
Steve McCulloch's research on the Indian River dolphins has been instrumental in the survival of this population. When the Born Free Foundation asked me to relocate two captive dolphins in Turkey, I had no reservations to ask Steve for his help. Steve flew to Turkey and impressed the team with his knowledge and leadership. He headed up the rehabilitation team and provided an extensive training regime to prepare the dolphins for a successful native reintroduction. I highly recommend Steve for any cetacean rescue and rehabilitation program.
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