![humback whale](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161225000529im_/http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/images/banners/protected_species_banners/marine_mammals/sos_whale_hback_foreman.jpg)
SOS WHALe: the Marine Mammal Disentanglement Network
Marine mammals occasionally swim into derelict fishing gear or marine debris and get stuck, injured, or even killed. Ocean users in the West Coast Region have an important role in helping entangled whales. In Washington, Oregon, and California call the NOAA Fisheries entanglement reporting hotline at 1-877-SOS-WHALe (1-887-767-9425). Prompt reporting is the best way to assist an entangled animal.
Safety First! Whales in distress may act unpredictably, close approach is not advised. Do not attempt disentanglement without training and authorization. Try to get video or photos showing the entangled gear. Please be aware that it is not possible or necessarily appropriate to respond to every entangled whale. The two most common baleen whales entangled in the Northwest are the Humpback Whale and the Gray Whale. To help you identify cetacean species visit Cetacean Species or Pinniped Species.
To report a dead, injured or stranded marine mammal, please call: 1-866-767-6114
For law enforcement, harassments, and other violations, please call: 1-800-853-1964
For entangled marine mammals, please call: 1-877-SOS-WHALe or 1-877-767-9425 or hail the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Ch. 16
To report derelict gear, please call: 1-855-542-3935
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161225000529im_/http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/images/protected_species/marine_mammals/sos_whale_brochure_page_1_page_2.jpg)