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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.

A Conversation with Regional Administrator Jennifer Quan About the 2026 West Coast Salmon Fishing Seasons

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has released three alternative options for West Coast salmon seasons, which for 3 years have been closed in California. Regional Administrator Jennifer Quan discusses NOAA’s outlook on this year’s salmon seasons.
March 18, 2026 - Leadership Message ,
West Coast
Jennifer Quan of NOAA Fisheries speaking with Adam Nickels and Eugenio Piñeiro Soler in a tiled corridor, while others listen nearby. From left, Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries; Adam Nickels, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Acting Regional Director; and Jennifer Quan, Regional Administrator of NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region; during a February visit to Shasta Dam. Photo courtesy U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Cold Water Signals Along West Coast Could Help Assess Whale Entanglement Risk

Early warning for fisheries could help avoid riskiest times and places.
March 11, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
A team of three people in a small inflatable boat approach a partially surfaced humpback, one person reaching toward the whale with a long pole. A trained team uses works to free a humpback whale off the coast of Northern California. Photo credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. MMHSRP Permit 18786.

NOAA Fisheries Launches Underwater Glider Challenge in Hawai‘i

NOAA Fisheries is leading a major effort to evaluate how next-generation ocean gliders can transform ocean monitoring and marine mammal conservation, while also benefitting U.S. fishermen and ocean industries.
February 05, 2026 - Feature Story ,
Pacific Islands
West Coast
Autonomous underwater glider floating in circular pool in an oudoor lab. An underwater glider ballasting (stabilizing) at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, in preparation for the 2026 glider challenge. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

First Joint NOAA Killer Whale Survey Examines Endangered Southern Residents’ Shift to Coast

Two NOAA vessels use new technologies to collect more data in less time.
January 07, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Man steering an orange vessel Research scientist Brad Hanson of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center steers a 24-foot Zodiac while the Storm Petrel parallels the course in the background. The two vessels took part in the first joint NOAA survey to study Southern Resident killer whales. Photo by Paul Hillman/NOAA Fisheries under permit 27052.

Most Threatened and Endangered Pacific Coast Salmon Populations Increased After Listings

Endangered Species Act protections move salmon toward recovery.
December 04, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Aerial view of the Lower Siuslaw River and wetlands The McKenzie River Trust is working with local tribes and groups to restore tidal wetlands that once supported coho, Chinook salmon and steelhead along the Lower Siuslaw River in Oregon. The restoration of such habitat with community support has benefitted salmon and steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act, a scientific assessment found. Photo courtesy McKenzie River Trust.

Anglers Catch Salmon for Science as Tracking Reveals Risks Facing Adult Fall Chinook

Research detects water temperatures that may affect salmon survival.
December 01, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Closeup of gloved hands holding and examining an adult Chinook salmon Biologists hold a fall Chinook salmon with a tracking tag attached like a backpack before returning it to the ocean. Photo courtesy Miles Daniels/NOAA Fisheries/UCSC

Experts Euthanize Oregon Humpback Whale After Unsuccessful Attempt to Free it from Beach

A young humpback whale stranded on the Oregon Coast north of Yachats on November 15, prompting a response of trained teams from across the West Coast through the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
November 18, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Four people in rain gear stand on a beach next to a whale with barnacles on its skin and a piece of rope coming out of its mouth. A truck and houses are visible on the shoreline in the background. A young humpback whale stranded on the Oregon Coast north of Yachats on November 15, prompting a response of trained teams from across the West Coast through the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. The whale was entangled when it first came ashore, but many of the lines were later cut away, leaving a short length jutting from the animal's mouth. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network

NOAA Announces Confirmed U.S. Large Whale Entanglement Numbers for 2024

There were 95 large whale entanglement cases documented in 2024—an increase from 2023 and higher than the historical average.
September 18, 2025 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
A trained and authorized responder stands on the bow of a boat and uses a specialized knife on a very long pole to attempt to remove an entanglement wrapped around a humpback whale’s body Credit: NOAA/Maria Harvey

Workshop Targets High-Tech Ways to Assess Endangered Whale Health

Advanced technology can give us more complete data on the health of endangered whale populations, which helps us figure out how to most effectively support their recovery.
August 14, 2025 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Southeast
West Coast
A black and white Southern Resident killer whale leaping out of the water. The fin of another whale is visible and a boat and mountains are in the background. Southern resident killer whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Candice Emmons