Central Puget Sound MMSN is a partnership between Orca Network, wildlife veterinarians and biologists, and NOAA Fisheries, with trained staff and volunteers.
Stranding Networks respond to dead and live strandings of marine mammals on the beach. Volunteer stranding networks were established in all coastal states and are authorized through Letters of Authority from the National Marine Fisheries Service regional offices. Through a National Coordinator and five regional coordinators, NMFS oversees, coordinates, and authorizes these activities and provides training to personnel.
What do we do?
• Respond to marine mammal strandings in Island, Skagit and North Snohomish Counties
• Act as liaison between agencies and the general public
• Collect data for the National Marine Mammal database via photographs and written reports
• Collect specimens and perform necropsies for research, testing, and educational display
• Provide public education and safety information to avoid adverse reactions between people and marine mammals
Our staff and volunteers are available for informative and entertaining pinniped and/or other marine mammal presentations.
Seal pups like these should not be disturbed.
If a pup or other seal or sea lion remains on a beach more than 24 hours with no sign of its mother returning, or is in a busy, crowded location, please call one of the numbers below.
What to do when you find a marine mammal on the beach:
• Stay a minumum of 50 yards away, whether in the water or on shore, to prevent disturbance and/or harassment
• Keep dogs and other people away. Marine mammals carry diseases transmissible to humans, pets and livestock, and they can BITE!
Please report the animal if it is:
• Dead or appears injured or sick
• A live cetacean on any shore
• A live pinniped on shore in a public place, or on a busy beach
Please stay away from seal pups on the beach. They are likely waiting for their mothers, who leave their pups on shore while feeding in the waters nearby. Do not approach, water, feed, or move pups—it’s illegal and dangerous.
Marine Mammal Protection Act
Marine mammals are protected by the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. It is a violation of this law to
harass, touch, move, feed or kill ANY marine mammal. You can be fined up to $10,000 per violation. Some
marine mammals in our area also have additional protection under the Endangered Species Act, including
Southern Resident orcas and Steller Sea Lions.