Gulf of Maine, Inc.
P.O. Box 360
Pembroke, ME 04666

Phone (207) 726-4620
Toll Free Phone 1-866-988-4620
Fax (207) 726-5064
Office Hours:
Tuesday – Friday
9:00am – 5:30 p.m Eastern Std.
info@gulfofme.com

Copyright 2006
by Gulf of Maine, Inc.

Once shipped to you, the organisms you receive are your property, and they rely on you for care. You must decide the fate of the specimens you have ordered. DO NOT RELEASE THE ORGANISMS INTO YOUR LOCAL ECOSYSTEM. Not only could this be harmful to the local ecology, but it may also be illegal. Read below for some insight on how to make the most of your specimens.

Unpacking and Handling Specimens

Most species are packed in plastic bags with salt water and oxygen. Low temperature is maintained during transit by frozen gel refrigerants or ice. Open the bags immediately upon arrival at your laboratory and determine the temperature of the shipping water. If it is the same as that in your holding tanks, you may place the animals directly into your facility. Usually there will be some temperature difference and you must place the bags over the side of your tank in such a way that the bags are immersed in the aquarium water. Leave them until the temperature has become equal. Many animals die as a result of temperature shock when this precaution is not followed. Place the animals in your aquarium by pouring them into a net. Do not add shipping water to your aquarium! It may upset the balance of your system. Most species can be handled if your hands are free of foreign chemicals and have been rinsed in salt water (mix). However, it is best to avoid handling the animals whenever possible. If your shipment has been delayed in transit longer than 48 hours, some species may appear to be sluggish or dead. Do not discard these animals. Most species will recover rapidly when placed in well-aerated, fresh salt water (mix). As a precaution, however, they should be isolated for 24 hours in separate containers.

Aquarium Setups

Regardless of the type of system you use to hold your animals, it should be in operation at least a week before your animals arrive. Do not depend on using shipping water or mixing artificial water on the arrival of your animals.

Short-term holding facilities. Specimens which are to be used within a period of 10 to 14 days can be maintained in several types of temporary aquarium systems, utilizing either natural or artificial salt water. Filtration is not usually necessary. However, it can be worthwhile, since water must be changed if any signs of fouling are observed. Containers should be glass or plastic and roomy enough that the specimens are not crowded. Temperatures should be maintained between 35 and 50 F. It has been our experience that the lower temperatures give the best survival rate for animals from the Bay of Fundy. Low temperatures can be obtained by placing the holding containers in a bath of cold running water, ice, or a refrigerator. If a refrigerator is used, the air pump should be placed outside, supplying fresh air to the specimens.

Long-term holding facilities. Consult with scientific supply companies for advice, books, & manuals on establishing and maintaining saltwater aquaria. Most of these companies offer complete aquariums with chilling systems, too.

How to Dispose of Your Organisms

Specimen returns. Some customers may only use their organisms for a few day's worth of lessons and may want to return the organisms for release in the sea. To do so, you must purchase our Return to the Sea Shipping Option. When you're finished with the specimens, make sure that the sample(s) is packed in sea water on ice, add oxy-tabs, securely fasten them in the shipping container in which you received the specimens, and then take to the nearest Federal Express office. Use the return "air bill" included in the Return to the Sea Shipping Option. We will release the organisms as soon as they are received. In this way you can be sure that the organisms can return to their home!

Note: Do not ship dead or damaged organisms - they will threaten the lives of the living ones! Dispose of properly!

Scientific Preservation. Purchase our Save and Study Preservation Option and all of your specimens can be easily stored for future studies. Our Save and Store Option includes clear-view storage jars, pre-made labels for each species, relaxing agent, and instructions for the preservation of each specimen.