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2020 and 2021 Combined Report of Marine Mammal Strandings in the United States

This report details marine mammal stranding rates, trends, and activities in the United States for both 2020 and 2021. In 2020, there were 5,400 confirmed marine mammal strandings; in 2021, there were 5,524.
April 03, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Two stranding responders carry a stranded harbor porpoise away from some rocks A harbor porpoise is retrieved from the rocks at Odiorne Point State Park, New Hampshire. Credit: Seacoast Science Center

Lost Skulls and Latin: How Scientists Chose Names for Newly Identified Killer Whale Species

A California whaler sent his manuscript to the Smithsonian, but it ended up elsewhere. Southern Resident Connections - Post 34
March 27, 2024 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Original drawing by C.M. Scammon showing killer whale differences. California whaler Charles Melville Scammon first described the killer whales of the West Coast, and documented his observations and findings in a manuscript he sent to the Smithsonian Institution.

New Research Reveals Full Diversity of Killer Whales as Two Species Come into View on Pacific Coast

Long viewed as one worldwide species, killer whale diversity now merits more. Southern Resident Connections - Post 35
March 27, 2024 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Side-by-side comparison of Bigg's killer on left and resident killer whale on right. Aerial images comparing the sizes of adult male Bigg’s and Resident killer whales, both taken in the Salish Sea off southern Vancouver Island. Images are scaled to lengths calculated during health research by SR3 SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation and Research. Images were collected by John Durban and Holly Fearnbach using a non-invasive drone authorized by research permit 19091 issued by the US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Deaths of Young Dolphin, Humpback Calf Highlight the Importance of Responsible Boating

In February 2024, NOAA Fisheries and partners responded to a dead spinner dolphin yearling and a dead humpback whale calf in Hawaiʻi. Examinations revealed their deaths were likely due to vessel strikes.
March 07, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
A mother humpback whale swims beneath its calf to support it on the ocean surface as a researcher on a nearby boat leans over the railing holding a pole underwater to assess the condition of the call. NOAA researchers with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback National Marine Sanctuary assess an injured humpback whale calf off of Maui. The calf had suspected vessel strike injuries to its tail. Credit: Pacific Whale Foundation (NOAA Fisheries Permit #24359)

Party Balloon Leads to Whale Death

A mylar balloon caused the death of a Gervais’ beaked whale calf that stranded off the coast of North Carolina.
November 13, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Southeast
A small dead whale lays on its side on the water's edge at a beach. Gervais’ beaked whale on the beach at Emerald Isle in North Carolina. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Persistent Pollutants from Mother’s Milk Turn Dolphin Calves More Toxic Than Mom

May raise concerns for killer whales that are closely related. Southern Resident Connections - Post 32
November 02, 2023 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Bottlenose-Dolphin-Pair-2014-SWFSC.jpg

Marine Mammal Stocks in North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Are Highly Vulnerable to Climate Change

A new study led by NOAA Fisheries outlines marine mammal populations’ estimated vulnerability to changing ocean conditions as part of ongoing Climate Vulnerability Assessments.
September 20, 2023 - Feature Story ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
National
An overhead shot of an adult right whale swimming next to a right whale calf in blue water. A new study has classified the North Atlantic right whale stock as very highly vulnerable to climate change. Credit: NOAA

$4 Million Awarded for Marine Mammal Rescue Efforts through Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grants

Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grants will provide important federal funding to our marine mammal health and emergency response partners in 20 states and one tribe for fiscal year 2023.
September 14, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Humpback whale carcass lying on beach with heavy machinery nearby to tow Necropsy of a dead humpback whale that was reported at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The whale drifted near the Bay Bridge Tunnel, and the local stranding network pulled it up on land by using heavy equipment to conduct a necropsy near Lynnhaven Beach, Virginia.

Mission on the High Seas: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey

A large-scale survey to better understand the populations and habitats of whales, dolphins, and seabirds is kicking off! Join us for the 5-month journey by following along our story map and regular updates.
July 24, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
A pod of eight rough-toothed dolphins swim together along the surface of the ocean. Rough-toothed dolphins observed during HICEAS 2017. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Andrea Bendlin (Permit #20311)

Stranding Network Partners Successfully Relocate Trapped Mother and Dolphin Calf in Louisiana

Stranding experts monitored the pair for more than a year until the calf was old enough to be moved.
July 21, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Southeast
National
two dolphins swim at the surface of dark blue water. A mother and dolphin calf trapped in a tidal pond system near Grand Isle, Louisiana for over a year were recently tagged and relocated to open water. The pair became trapped in the tidal pond system after Hurricane Ida. Multiple partners from the Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network coordinated the effort. Credit: NOAA Fisheries (Permit #24359)