Mammals are animals that breathe air through lungs, have hair at some point in life, bear live young, suckle their young, and are warm-blooded. Marine mammals are thought to evolve from terrestrial ancestors that adapted to aquatic life over time and have adaptations to live in their aquatic environment. Marine mammals are found worldwide. It's our responsibility to protect these marine mammal species throughout the Pacific Northwest and within the United States.

All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regardless of whether they're endangered, threatened, or depleted. Some are also listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).The Northwest Region monitors and conserves marine mammals through implementation of those two laws. Its staff identifies research needed to collect appropriate information for management decisions, and manages the marine mammal stranding network.

The Region implements the Marine Mammal Protection Act to:  reduce commercial, recreational, and tribal fishery interactions with marine mammals; reduce marine mammal impacts on salmon recovery; and collect status, range, and distribution information for Northwest species. It also coordinates with state and tribal co-managers, the Marine Mammal Commission, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, International Whaling Commission, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and other related national and international oversight bodies.

The Northwest Region makes findings on Endangered Species Act listing petitions and status reviews; assesses and defines critical habitat and protective regulations for listed species; coordinates and communicates with co-managers and stakeholders on its findings; maintains and makes available records and data on MMPA/ESA status, population health, range, distribution, and factors for decline of Pacific Northwest marine mammal species.

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

206-526-6733