Seal on the beach? Who to call
Oct/07/09 01:23 PM
It is normal for a seal pup to be on the beach alone to rest and warm up. However, if you see a pup (or other marine mammal) on the beach, please call the NOAA Stranding Hotline @ 206-526-6733 to report the location of the animal. If the animal is on a West Seattle beach, please call Seal Sitters @ 206-905-7325.
Be as precise as possible with a location - street address, cross street or any identifying landmark. Seal Sitters dispatch tries to answer night calls, however, sometimes we may not have a volunteer available. Please leave a message with precise information including your name and phone number. A responder will search for the seal at first light the following morning.
If you see a marine mammal being harrassed or injured it is a matter for law enforcement. Call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline @ 1-800-853-1964 (monitored 24 hrs a day) and tell them an animal is being harmed. If the animal or the public is in imminent danger, CALL 911. NOAA Enforcement is not an immediate response team, as there are limited officers in the Pacific Northwest. However, the line is answered 24 hours a day and a harassment should be reported to them immediately. They are an investigative unit and will fine and prosecute violators of the Marine Mammal Protection Act with the proper evidence: violator’s name, photo, or auto license plate number. Do not put yourself at risk to obtain this information. If you need a law enforcement presence because the public or animal is in imminent danger, call 911. After calling the police, please also call SS dispatch if the seal is on a West Seattle beach.
MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING RESOURCE NUMBERS OUTSIDE OF KING COUNTY
Kitsap, Pierce, S. King, E. Mason, Outer Coast/Gray’s Harbor/N. Pacific Counties:
call WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife Marine Mammal Investigations @ 253-589-7235 (if no answer press #2)
Central Puget Sound (Whidbey Island, Camano Island, Skagit and N. Snohomish Counties:
call 1-866-ORCANET (672-2638)
For detailed maps outlining who to call in your area, please download the following NOAA Stranding Network maps:
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Puget Sound
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Washington
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Oregon
Be as precise as possible with a location - street address, cross street or any identifying landmark. Seal Sitters dispatch tries to answer night calls, however, sometimes we may not have a volunteer available. Please leave a message with precise information including your name and phone number. A responder will search for the seal at first light the following morning.
If you see a marine mammal being harrassed or injured it is a matter for law enforcement. Call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline @ 1-800-853-1964 (monitored 24 hrs a day) and tell them an animal is being harmed. If the animal or the public is in imminent danger, CALL 911. NOAA Enforcement is not an immediate response team, as there are limited officers in the Pacific Northwest. However, the line is answered 24 hours a day and a harassment should be reported to them immediately. They are an investigative unit and will fine and prosecute violators of the Marine Mammal Protection Act with the proper evidence: violator’s name, photo, or auto license plate number. Do not put yourself at risk to obtain this information. If you need a law enforcement presence because the public or animal is in imminent danger, call 911. After calling the police, please also call SS dispatch if the seal is on a West Seattle beach.
MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING RESOURCE NUMBERS OUTSIDE OF KING COUNTY
Kitsap, Pierce, S. King, E. Mason, Outer Coast/Gray’s Harbor/N. Pacific Counties:
call WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife Marine Mammal Investigations @ 253-589-7235 (if no answer press #2)
Central Puget Sound (Whidbey Island, Camano Island, Skagit and N. Snohomish Counties:
call 1-866-ORCANET (672-2638)
For detailed maps outlining who to call in your area, please download the following NOAA Stranding Network maps:
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Puget Sound
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Washington
NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network for Oregon
