Marine Mammal Stranding Program

Through a National Coordinator and five regional coordinators, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) authorizes, oversees, and coordinates stranding networks. To respond to marine mammal strandings, volunteer stranding networks have been established in all coastal states and are authorized through Letters of Authority from the NMFS regional offices. Since 2001, The Whale Center of New England has been the primary field respondent to marine mammal strandings in the Northeast Region from Marblehead, MA to the New Hampshire border. We maintain a 24-hour pager to receive reports of whales, dolphins, or seals on our area beaches.

Upon receiving a call, we will head out to the stranding site and evaluate the situation. If the report is of an animal that is dead, we will gather information on the animal including species, age class, and general health. If the carcass is fresh, or it belongs to a key species, we may gather samples to try to find out why the animal has died. If the animal is alive, we determine whether it is healthy (obviously, if it is a whale, dolphin, or porpoise it is not!). If necessary, we will transport the animal to a special rehabilitation facility (like the New England Aquarium or the University of New England) where the animal can receive professional veterinary attention. If we think the animal is healthy (as is the case with many seal reports we receive), we will monitor the animal until it leaves to insure it does not become sick, and to insure it is not harassed while on our shores. If a healthy animal comes up in a very busy area, we may try to re-locate it to a more isolated area where it can rest and return to the sea on its own.

While the number of strandings to which we respond has varied annually, we saw an increase in number of reports in the first four years, from 2001 (47) to 2004 (100), after which it has been consistent at 70 - 100 responses per year (with a small drop in 2006, due to very few ice seal responses). Pinniped strandings, which have accounted for 88% of our responses, occur year-round, with two annual peaks. In the winter months, responses to ice seals, both harp and hooded, are common, while in the summer a high number of weaned harbor seal pups come ashore in our area. Cetacean strandings can occur at any time, with a historical peak in late winter and early spring. Cetacean responses also are often time-consuming. In spring 2007, we coordinated two large whale necropsies (a humpback and a sei whale) which took the entire staff's time for several days each.

Toothed whales can strand in large numbers

One of the biggest mysteries about whales is why large groups will sometimes beach themselves together. These events, called "mass strandings," attract a lot of media and public attention.

Whales can become disoriented

Toothed whales produce sounds and listen for their echo from objects around them; this "sonar" allows the whales to map their surroundings. Sandy areas, such as Cape Cod, Massachusetts, provide an unusually weak echo and can make it difficult for toothed whales to navigate.

In addition, whales have the ability to sense the magnetic field of the earth and use it as a compass for navigation. Bends, shifts, or areas with magnetic fields that are hard to detect may confuse whales.

Toothed whales form tight bonds with each other

Toothed whales form groups called "pods." The bond between pod members can be very strong. If one animal becomes stressed or harmed, other members of the pod will likely try to help it.

Mass strandings can result

If toothed whales become disoriented, they may end up in an area that is too shallow, or they can get trapped by a quickly receding tide. Alternatively, if a whale is sick or weak, it may seek out shallow areas so it can surface to breathe. Other pod members, in an effort to keep the group together, may then follow, resulting in a mass stranding. For this reason, most animals are perfectly healthy prior to mass stranding.

There is no simple solution

Unfortunately, once a pod of whales comes on shore, it is very difficult to get them back out to sea. When whales are on land and do not have the water to support them, their own weight can actually damage their organs or even break their bones. In addition, whales that are trapped out of water may become highly stressed and even go into shock. An otherwise healthy whale may become seriously injured in a short period of time on land, making it impossible to return it to the ocean without first getting prolonged medical care.

Baleen whales are solitary at sea

Baleen whales are less social than toothed whales and are generally found by themselves or in very small groups. They are unlikely to follow or assist another animal (except in the case of a mother with her calf); therefore, they do not strand together. Most often baleen whales that beach are already seriously injured or sick and returning them to sea would only lead to re-stranding. Occasionally, healthy baleen whales, most often young, inexperienced individuals, will venture too close to shore and become beached. In these cases, quickly pushing or guiding the animal back out to sea could save it.

Toothed whales may become separated from their pod

In rare cases, toothed whales can strand by themselves. In order to successfully return these whales to sea, they should be rejoined with a pod. Lone toothed whales may be unable to defend themselves against predators or capture food.

Seals spend an important portion of their time on land

Healthy seals come on shore in order to rest, to conserve heat and to give birth to pups. They can stay on shore for up to several days, but should eventually return to the water to feed. Some seals may accidentally move too far inland and become lost, unable to find the water on their own. In these cases, they can be captured and returned to the ocean.

Sick or injured seals may also come on shore. Careful observations of their appearance and behavior may determine that they need help if they are to survive. These seals can be cared for in rehabilitation facilities and eventually released.

People can help seals on the beach by keeping their distance

Seals are wild animals and may view people as a threat. Seals will sometimes allow people to approach closely; signs that they are disturbed by human presence are often subtle. However, if they are trying to rest, heal from an injury, or nurse pups on land, the presence of people can be very stressful. Even a healthy seal that is stressed for a long time may start to show negative physical effects. For this reason, the U.S. government recommends staying 50 yards away from seals on land.