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Watching Wildlife: How to Share the Shore and Sea with Marine Animals

As you enjoy the outdoors, remember to “Share the Shore” with marine mammals, sea turtles, and other wildlife. Learn more about proper marine life viewing guidelines to safeguard animals and people.
September 03, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
On Shipwreck Beach on the south coast of Kauai, Hawaii, an endangered Hawaiian monk seal takes a nap on the beach. The sign in the foreground instructs people to walk around the seal. On Shipwreck Beach on the south coast of Kauai, Hawaii, an endangered Hawaiian monk seal takes a nap on the beach. The sign in the foreground instructs people to walk around the seal. Credit: iStock

2025 Species Recovery Grant Awardees Announced

NOAA awards $4.2 million to support 19 state and tribal projects advancing recovery of threatened and endangered species.
July 07, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Slightly overhead photo of two white abalone with pink and red buildup on their shells. The abalone are on top of a rock sitting on sandy floor. White abalone. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Humpback Whale Successfully Freed from Entanglement in Endicott Arm

A response team successfully removed crab pot lines entangling a humpback whale 50 miles south of Juneau, Alaska.
June 24, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Three people on a boat use a long, specialized knife to cut entanglement lines off of a humpback whale in the water. The NOAA Fisheries response team uses poles with specialized knives to cut entangling lines. Credit: Alaska Department of Fish and Game/Jamie Musbach (NOAA Fisheries Permit # 24359)

NOAA Fisheries Awards $3.8 Million for Marine Mammal Rescue Efforts through Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grants

Prescott Grants will provide funding to 41 recipients in 19 states and two tribes for fiscal year 2025.
June 23, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Grey seal released onto the beach with responders holding barriers behind the seal Gray seal, Louis Armstrong, is released at Assateague Island National Seashore following rehabilitation at National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. Credit: National Aquarium

NOAA Fisheries Finds Listing Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon Under the Endangered Species Act “Not Warranted”

NOAA Fisheries’ 12-month review shows a low risk of extinction.
May 13, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
chinook salmon Spring Chinook Salmon. Credit: Michael Humling, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Is It a Dolphin or a Porpoise?

Dolphins and porpoises are both cetaceans, but they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Learn how to recognize a dolphin vs. a porpoise.
April 28, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
An infographic from NOAA Fisheries illustrates the physical and behavioral differences between dolphins and porpoises, highlighting distinctions in their faces, teeth, fins, and social tendencies. At first glance, dolphins and porpoises look similar. Taking a closer look, there are some general differences that distinguish these animals. See the common bottlenose dolphin (left) and harbor porpoise (right) pictured above.

Home for the Holidays: How a Lone Sea Lion Pup Found a Lifeline in the Aleutian Islands

It’s Seal and Sea Lion Week! Join us as we follow the journey of a resilient endangered pup who found a second chance after a life-saving trip from Alaska to California.
March 25, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
sea lion pup on a work bench in a seafood plant “Westley” the Steller Sea Lion pup on a work bench in the Westward Seafoods Plant in Unalaska. Credit: Asia Beder, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, NOAA permit #24359.

NOAA Conducts First Comprehensive Aerial Survey of Ice Seals in the Arctic

Scientists flew more than 24,000 miles over sea ice to study the abundance and distribution of seals in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. This was the first time the seals’ entire geographic range in U.S. waters was surveyed in one season.
March 23, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Spotted seals and pups on cracked sea ice near breathing holes and tracks, with magnified callouts for clarity Aerial image of three spotted seals, collected during the 2025 aerial surveys. A pup is just visible in the darker band of ice to the lower left of one of the adult seals–see inset. Breathing holes in the ice are typically used by ringed seals, but spotted seals will use them occasionally as depicted here, with tracks showing the seals’ movement between holes. Image collected from a survey altitude of 1,000-1,200 feet under the authority of NMFS Permit No. 23858. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

Seal and Sea Lion Week

Join us for a week-long celebration of seals and other pinnipeds and get the scoop on NOAA's seal conservation efforts.
March 23, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
An animation showing several species of seals in their native habitats with the words "Seal & Sea Lion Week" across the top. Seal & Sea Lion Week is March 23–27, 2026.

Northern Fur Seal Deaths on St. George Island, Alaska, Linked to Harmful Algal Bloom

Research confirms saxitoxin poisoning in seals and the presence of harmful algal species.
February 17, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
view of island community with seal statue in foreground St. George Island. Credit: NOAA Fisheries