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Strandings occur when marine mammals swim or float onto shore and become "beached" or stuck in shallow water or on land. In most stranding cases, the cause of the stranding is unknown, 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.
(Text courtesy NW NOAA).
The Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSP) was established in 1992 as an amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Volunteer stranding networks, authorized and overseen by NOAA’s NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service), were formed in all coastal states to respond to strandings. For information on the NW Stranding Network, click here.
Never touch or handle a live or dead stranded marine mammal! A live seal is a wild animal and even a pup can cause a severe bite. Never pick up and move a seal pup. If the pup is not weaned and is separated from its mother, it will die. Keep people and pets a safe distance away (100 yards if possible) and call the proper authorities.
If you see a seal on the beaches of West Seattle, call Seal Sitters Dispatch:
206-905-7325 (SEAL).
For detailed maps outlining who to call in your area, please download the following NOAA Stranding Network maps:
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Puget Sound
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Washington
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Oregon
NOAA STRANDING NETWORKS WEBSITES
Northwest Marine Mammal Stranding Networks
NOAA Northwest Regional Office:
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Stranding-Information.cfm
Nationwide Marine Mammal Stranding Networks
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/networks.htm
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.
(Text courtesy NW NOAA).
The Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSP) was established in 1992 as an amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Volunteer stranding networks, authorized and overseen by NOAA’s NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service), were formed in all coastal states to respond to strandings. For information on the NW Stranding Network, click here.
Never touch or handle a live or dead stranded marine mammal! A live seal is a wild animal and even a pup can cause a severe bite. Never pick up and move a seal pup. If the pup is not weaned and is separated from its mother, it will die. Keep people and pets a safe distance away (100 yards if possible) and call the proper authorities.
If you see a seal on the beaches of West Seattle, call Seal Sitters Dispatch:
206-905-7325 (SEAL).
For detailed maps outlining who to call in your area, please download the following NOAA Stranding Network maps:
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Puget Sound
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Washington
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Oregon
NOAA STRANDING NETWORKS WEBSITES
Northwest Marine Mammal Stranding Networks
NOAA Northwest Regional Office:
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Stranding-Information.cfm
Nationwide Marine Mammal Stranding Networks
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/networks.htm
© 2008 Seal Sitters all rights reserved
photos © 2007-2009 Robin Lindsey all rights reserved
MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING NETWORKS
