Strandings occur when marine mammals swim or float into shore and become "beached" or stuck in shallow water. In most stranding cases, the cause of the stranding is unknown, but some identified causes have included disease, parasite infestation, harmful algal blooms, injuries from ship strikes or fishery entanglements, pollution exposure, trauma, and starvation.

While most stranded animals are found dead, some strand alive. In a limited number of cases it's possible to transport them to regional rehabilitation centers for care. In rare cases, successfully rehabilitated animals are returned to the wild.

The Northwest Region Marine Mammal Stranding Network was created in the early 1980s to provide a consistent framework in which to collect and compile data about marine mammal strandings in Oregon and Washington. The network is composed of volunteers based at academic institutions, state and federal wildlife and fisheries agencies, veterinary clinics, enforcement agencies, and by individuals who respond to or provide professional advice on handling strandings.

The Northwest Region coordinates stranding network activities out of its Seattle office. Although response areas are defined geographically, network members cooperate extensively, including occasional trans-boundary coordination with Canadian organizations. Each stranding event is handled on a case-by-case basis because response capability varies between areas depending on available resources, personnel and logistics.

The NWR Stranding Network coverage area is the nearshore waters and shoreline of Oregon and Washington north of 42°0’N and south of 49°0’N (the U.S./Canada border), including the inland waters of Washington State. There are 3,767 km (2,337 nautical miles) of marine shoreline in Washington and 476 km (295 nautical miles) in Oregon.

To report a dead, injured or stranded marine mammal, please call our hotline:

1-800-853-1964

or view our stranding network maps for specific area contacts.