Report A Sighting

To Report Injured, Dead or Entangled Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles in the Northeast US (Maine-Virginia), call NOAA’s hotline: 

1-866-755-6622

Other regions click here for hotline information. NOTE: sightings may always be reported to the US Coast Guard via VHF Ch. 16 .

All marine mammals and most sea turtles are protected under federal law(s).  Reporting important sightings will help officials to monitor these protected populations.  What is considered an important sighting? Click here for some examples. Make sure for any sighting you note the location and take photos. If possible, stand by an animal in distress (from a safe distance) until authorities arrive.

Entangled whales, like this minke whale, should be reported as soon as possible.