Health and Stranding of Marine Animals

Credit: International Fund for Animal Welfare



Green Turtle
(Chelonia mydas)
Credit: Andy Bruckner, NOAA

Stranded Marine Mammals: Dolphins and Whales

• Report a stranded marine mammal to the Marine Mammal Stranding Network

The Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program coordinates a network of responders in all coastal states to respond to marine mammal strandings. Through a National Coordinator and 6 regional coordinators, NMFS oversees, coordinates, and authorizes these activities and provides training to personnel.

Stranded Sea Turtles

• Report a stranded sea turtle to the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN).

The Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN), formally established in 1980, collects information on and documents strandings of marine turtles along the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts. The network encompasses the coastal areas of the 18-state region from Maine to Texas, and includes portions of the U.S. Caribbean.

Violations

Please call NMFS National Enforcement Hotline for Violations at 1-800-853-1964.