Marine Mammal Stranding Network Welfare

Marine mammal stranding networks provide critical welfare intervention for injured and sick whales, dolphins, and seals, improving outcomes through rapid professional response.

Key Facts

NOAA coordinates marine mammal stranding response across US coastal regions
Most stranded cetaceans cannot be saved, but pain management and rapid euthanasia reduce suffering
Successful dolphin and whale refloatings require assessment to avoid releasing non-viable animals
Seal rehabilitation has high success rates, with most released animals surviving long-term
Bycatch entanglement is the leading cause of large whale strandings in the Northeast US

Welfare Considerations

Marine mammal stranding response is direct welfare intervention at the individual level for animals that cannot advocate for themselves. A stranded dolphin or whale dying in the surf without intervention experiences prolonged suffering from dehydration, sunburn, and the physiological stress of being out of water. Professional response teams can assess viability, manage pain, and either facilitate rehabilitation or provide humane euthanasia to end suffering. Stranding networks depend on volunteer training, public reporting, and institutional support.

What You Can Do

Save stranding hotline numbers for your coastal region
Never try to push stranded marine mammals back into the water without guidance from experts
Keep people and dogs away from stranded animals to reduce their stress
Report all marine mammal strandings to the designated response network
Support stranding network funding through donations or volunteering