NOAA WEST COAST MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING NETWORK (MMSN)
The Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHRSP) 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.

NOAA's Marine Mammal Stranding Network is divided into five regions in the United States. Networks in California and the Pacifc Northwest, including Seal Sitters MMSN, are part of the West Coast Region. See below for links to maps showing response areas and contact information for networks in Washington, Oregon and California.

WHAT IS A STRANDING?
The term stranding means an event in the wild in which a marine mammal is dead on a beach or shore - or in the jurisdictional waters - of the United States.

A stranding can also mean that a marine mammal is alive on a beach, shore or waters and:
a) unable to return to the water;
b) although able to return to the water, may be in need of medical assistance;
c) or unable to return to its natural habitat under its own power or without assistance.

In many 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, fishing gear entanglements, pollution exposure, trauma, and starvation.

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

The gray whale in the banner image at the top of this page became marooned in shallow water as the tide receded. The whale was unable to swim back out into deeper water. Members of the stranding network kept the exposed animal wet and cool until the tide returned and the whale was able to swim free. The whale stranded again the following day. For a photo gallery with details, click here.

NETWORK RESEARCHERS PERFORM CRITICAL SCIENCE
NNOAA West Coast MMSN members perform vital research into causes of mortality and emerging diseases in marine mammals. This enables biologists to monitor the health of species populations and identify threats.

Necropsies are performed on fresh-dead animals whenever possible. Blood serum, blubber and tissue tests reveal viral and contaminant loads and pathogens.

During examinations, biologists look for evidence of blunt force trauma, an indicator of ship strikes in large whales. Researchers are seeking ways to lessen deadly vessel/whale interaction in shipping lanes by studying behavior. In smaller cetaceans and pinnipeds, blunt force trauma might suggest an attack by transient orca.


Signs of entanglement and fishery interaction are other important findings. Gathering this data applies pressure for timely reporting by fisheries of marine mammal takes. Statistics of interactions compel fisheries to engage in safer fishing practices and encourage improvements and safer types of fishing gear, such as biodegradable monofilament line, escape cord for shellfish pots, and less dangerous bait packing bands which strangle marine mammals.

Each year, especially during the fall migrating fish runs, sea lions and harbor seals die from bullet wounds. Evidence is turned over to NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) for criminal investigation.

Network members notify OLE in all cases of injury or death resulting from human interaction. Read about the 2012 investigation into multiple shootings of Puget Sound sea lions and a harbor seal on blubberblog.





VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE
Many of the marine mammal stranding networks across the country are largely volunteer, like Seal Sitters and Sno-King MMSR. Others, such as WDFW's Marine Mammal Investigations (WDFW-MMI) and Cascadia Research utilize interns, who support research biologists and scientists in both the field and lab (see below for a list of all stranding networks in the Northwest). These volunteers and interns donate thousands of hours a year.

NETWORK VOLUNTEERS LESSEN NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS
Not every animal on shore is stranded. Seals and sea lions spend approximately 50% of their day resting and warming up on shore, as well as on docks, rafts and buoys.

Stranding networks protect these resting animals from harassment and educate the public about species biology. This valuable service provides safety for both the public and marine mammal by lessening human interference.

By far, the marine mammal that is most often reported to network stranding hotlines is the harbor seal pup who's alone on the beach. In most cases, pups are just resting and not stranded. Unfortunately, only 50% of pups in the wild survive their first year. Not every seal pup with health concerns is eligible for rehab in the Pacific Northwest. With limited resources and healthy harbor seal population numbers, rehabilitation is generally reserved for cases of human interference or endangerment. Read about NOAA's policy on rehabilitation of harbor seal pups.

Never touch or handle a live or dead marine mammal as they can transmit diseases to human and dogs.

Please observe from a distance. Keep people and pets a safe distance away from all marine mammals (100 yards if possible) and call the proper authorities. Each day of rest could mean the difference between life and death for a harbor seal pup.

Remember, all marine mammals are protected by the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and Washington State law. For viewing and reporting guidelines for all marine mammals, visit NOAA's Be Whale Wise website.