How to report an injured, stranded, or dead marine mammal including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions.
NOAA Fisheries has heard from its marine mammal and sea turtle stranding network partners who are making operational decisions based on COVID-19 that may impact the ability to respond to strandings and entanglement incidents. However, all stranding hotlines should remain staffed, and the public should continue to report all sightings of stranded animals to the appropriate contact number for your location (select your region below). As always, if you see a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle, keep people and pets back a safe distance of 50 yards (150 feet).
There is currently no evidence to support claims that whales, sea lions or other marine mammals are infected with COVID-19. More information about pets and other animals is on the Centers for Disease Control website.
North Pacific right whale. Credit: Brenda K. Rone
Southern Resident killer whales encountered during NOAA's PODs (Pacific Orcinus Distribution Survey) in October 2021 near the west end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
