Marine Mammal Stranding Program

Please have the following information ready to report:

1. Exact location and directions to the strand site
2. Number of animals involved
3. Condition of animal (alive, dead, or injured)
4. Identification or description of animal (size, color, etc.)
5. Names and telephone numbers of people involved
6. Date and time of your observations
7. Photo confirmation of the stranded animal

NOTE: Live seals are visitors to our shores throughout the year. Periodically, they come onto land (haul out). This is natural seal behavior. Please treat seals with caution and approach no closer than 150 feet. If you do see a seal and have any concern that it may need assistance, please notify your local municipality, police department, or call the number above.

A stranding is the beaching of a live or dead marine mammal. Marine mammal strandings are relatively common events along the North Carolina coast. North Carolina experiences the highest number of strandings, per unit length of beach, of any state along the Atlantic or Gulf coasts. We also experience the highest species diversity of marine mammals along the Atlantic coast. All but two species known to occur in the North Atlantic have stranded on North Carolina beaches. 

A marine mammal stranding is also an important event that offers researchers a unique opportunity to gather data from these federally protected species. Those data are used to better understand the biology of marine mammals, to document our impacts on them, and ultimately to help ensure their conservation.

Map of Coverage- Coming Soon!

Our primary response area, in which we respond to live and dead stranded marine mammals includes Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender and Onslow counties, North Carolina. We also travel to other areas within our state and region to assist our colleagues when requested.

If you would like to become a volunteer with the Marine Mammal Stranding Program, we ask that you follow the link below to fill out our volunteer form.

Become a Volunteer

Beginning in the fall 2014, UNCW undergraduates began a process of creating marine mammal species fact sheets to share with their colleagues and the public. Bottlenose dolphins will be added this spring, and more species will be forthcoming. Keep an eye on this website for PDFs soon!