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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

Recent Prescott Grants Supporting Seal and Sea Lion Conservation Partners

Our marine mammal network partners leverage the Prescott Grant Program's competitive grants to improve their stranding response and investigation capabilities for pinniped conservation.
March 21, 2024 - Feature Story ,
National
Spotted, gray harp seal on sandy shore moving towards the ocean water. "Seuss," a juvenile harp seal, was released on Blue Shutters Beach, Rhode Island, following successful rehabilitation at Mystic Aquarium. Credit: Mystic Aquarium

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 11, 2024 - 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 11-15, 2024.

Closure of 2022 Maine Pinniped Unusual Mortality Event

The Unusual Mortality Event involving stranded harbor and gray seals along the coast of Maine has ended.
January 16, 2024 - Feature Story ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
HPAI Testing on a seal. Marine Mammals of Maine take nasal swabs from a harbor seal for HPAI testing. Credit: Marine Mammals of Maine

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Found in Seals on Marrowstone Island in Puget Sound

Test results confirm H5N1; officials urge beachgoers to avoid contact with wildlife.
September 08, 2023 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Harbor seals resting in a tide pool Healthy harbor seals in a tide pool along the coast of Washington State. Puget Sound seal populations are considered healthy. Credit: Sophie McCoy, UNC

Is It a Seal or a Sea Lion?

Seals and sea lions are both pinnipeds, but there are distinct characteristics to tell them apart.
March 22, 2023 - Feature Story ,
National
Infographic showing illustrated seal and sea lion and describing the differences between the two animals, such as ears, body size, flippers, etc. At first glance, seals (true or “earless seals”) and sea lions look fairly similar. Taking a closer look, these are some of the general differences to tell these animals, such as on the harbor seal (left) and California sea lion (right) pictured above.

Kitt The Harbor Seal Has Died

Wildlife medical specialists continue to look for what caused her death.
February 02, 2023 - Feature Story ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
A young woman crouches on the step of a cement saltwater pool, holding a stick with a rubber target on its end. At her feet, two harbor seals await rewards as they respond to her whistle and touch the target with their noses. Aquarium staffer Sarah Shea training harbor seals Bubba (center) and Kitt (lower center) in the summer of 2022 at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Katie Dever

50 Years of Protecting Marine Mammals

A look at the Marine Mammal Protection Act's many advancements and accomplishments in the last 50 years.
February 02, 2023 - Podcast ,
National
Pair of bottlenose dolphins Pair of bottlenose dolphins. Credit: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center/Lisa Morse.

Meet the NOAA Alaska Region’s Stranding Response Team!

Mandy Keogh, the Alaska Region Stranding Coordinator, discusses team members and their vital roles.
December 07, 2022 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Two biologists with the NOAA Alaska Region (Kim Raum-Suryan and Sadie Wright) measure a Steller sea lion carcass during a carcass survey of the Copper River Delta. Credit: NOAA Fisheries, Permit 18786 Two biologists with the NOAA Alaska Region, Kim Raum-Suryan and Sadie Wright, measure a Steller sea lion carcass during a carcass survey of the Copper River Delta. Credit: NOAA Fisheries, Permit 18786

Answering the Call: Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Washington group undertakes a vital mission full of heart.
October 13, 2022 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Harbor seals in a holding tank looking up at the camera Harbor seals sticking together during temporary care at WMMSN/WHS Wildlife Center. Credit: WMMSN/WHS Wildlife Center