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2022 and 2023 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 2022 and 2023. In 2022, there were 6,061 confirmed marine mammal strandings; in 2023, there were 6,648.
July 31, 2025 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
A minke whale carcass lies on a rocky beach. There are several lines to secure it in place while responders take measurements and samples. A complete necropsy of a minke whale on Blakely Island, Washington. The necropsy revealed injuries—including severe bruising and broken ribs and vertebrae—consistent with a vessel strike. Credit: The Whale Museum

NOAA Announces Confirmed Large Whale Entanglement Numbers for 2023

There were 64 large whale entanglement cases documented in 2023—a decrease from 2022 and below the historical average.
July 22, 2025 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Trained and authorized responders use a grapple to grab the entanglement trailing behind a North Atlantic right whale (#4545). Credit: Center for Coastal Studies, taken under NOAA Permit # 24359 Trained and authorized responders use a grapple to grab the entanglement trailing behind a North Atlantic right whale (#4545). Credit: Center for Coastal Studies, taken under NOAA Permit # 24359

California Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Sea Lion Beating

Ventura Police Department, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, and California State Parks conduct joint investigation into beaten sea lion.
July 17, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
A person with short white hair wearing all black squats next to a sea lion. The sea lion is laying on the floor and the person is measuring it with a tool similar to calipers. Medical equipment is in the background on the black counters above white cabinets. Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute staff measure the thickness of the sea lion's blubber in preparation for an x-ray. Photo courtesy Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute

Oregon Tribe Partners with Agricultural Producers to Restore Salmon and Steelhead Habitat

NOAA partner the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are removing fish passage barriers on Columbia River tributaries. Much of the work resulted from the Tribes’ long-term relationships with local landowners and agency partners.
July 14, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
A dark, spotted fish rapidly flaps its tail fin as it swims up an area of rapids. The fish is almost completely above the surface of the water Chinook salmon migrating upstream. Credit: Adobe Stock.

Partner Spotlight: NOAA Volunteer Becomes TikTok-Famous Necropsy Biologist

Cristina Robinson from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California shares her career success story and perspective amidst a toxic marine event.
July 03, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Person cutting into a deceased seal lion on an examination table Cristina prepares a California sea lion for a necropsy to determine its cause of death. Credit: Pacific Marine Mammal Center

Anchovy Dominated Diets off the West Coast Pose New Dangers for Salmon

Lack of key vitamin turns fatal for as many as half of salmon offspring.
June 25, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Group of people sorting fish in trays NOAA Fisheries scientists sort fish during the spring 2024 Rockfish Recruitment and Ecosystem Assessment Survey. These surveys reveal a coastal ocean dominated by a booming population of northern anchovy in recent years. Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries.

Eastern North Pacific Gray Whales Continue Decline After Downturn During Unusual Mortality Event

Continued low calf count indicates that reproduction remains depressed.
June 18, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Aerial view of gray whale mother and calf Gray whale mother and calf on northbound migration. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Washington State River Restoration Project to Revive Salmon Habitat, Support Local Jobs

With NOAA support, partners are restoring salmon habitat on the East Fork Lewis River—improving fish passage, reducing flood and erosion risks, and generating economic benefits for the local community.
May 06, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
A meandering river and ponds interspersed with trees and grassy areas Aerial view of the Ridgefield Pits in the foreground on the East Fork Lewis River before restoration. The Daybreak Pits can also be seen and are located adjacent to the Ridgefield Pits. The project will focus on restoring the nine Ridgefield Pits. Credit: Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership.

Stranding Team Responds to More Than a Dozen Dead or Dying San Diego Dolphins in a Single Day

San Diego team has collected more than 50 dolphins since March.
April 22, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Scientists measuring a dolphin carcass on a table in a lab Scientists at NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Fisheries Science Center measure the carcass of a short-beaked common dolphin that stranded near San Diego during the ongoing domoic acid event. They will also collect additional information and samples to assess the dolphin's condition. Credit: Southwest Fisheries Science Center.

Trained Team Releases Gray Whale Entangled in Gillnet off California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula

Team worked for about 2 hours to remove gear entangling whale.
April 16, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Responders aboard an inflatable boat trailing and entangled whale Responders approach the entangled whale off the Palos Verdes Peninsula, using a long pole with specialized blade to reach and sever the net and lines entangling the whale. Photo by Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, under NOAA Fisheries Permit #24359.