



Describes what a non-releasable marine mammal is and how they are placed in permanent care.
Occasionally, marine mammals rescued and rehabilitated by the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) cannot be released back into the wild following treatment. The MMHSRP and the Permits and Conservation Division work with captive marine mammal facilities to place those animals into permanent captivity.
In March 2012, NOAA Fisheries issued a procedural directive for the placement of non-releasable marine mammals (PDF, 9 pages).
A brief summary of the placement process is outlined below:
For cetaceans – the questionnaire for non-releasable cetaceans is distributed through the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Institutions which are not members of either of these organizations may request to be notified of non-releasable cetaceans as they are available. Please contact the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources by email (NIMM.inventory@noaa.gov) or phone (301-427-8401) to be added to the distribution list.
For pinnipeds – NOAA Fisheries maintains a list of facilities interested in acquiring non-releasable pinnipeds for their collections. Institutions are contacted in the order in which they are on the list and taking into account any acceptance criteria provided (e.g., sex, disability, age). Contact the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources by email (NIMM.inventory@noaa.gov) or phone (301-427-8401) for information on how to be included on the list.
A public display take from the wild permit is required to obtain a rehabilitated marine mammal that NOAA Fisheries has determined to be releasable to the wild. For more information, see the Procedural Directive that explains the process.