Reporting Sightings and Strandings
Many of us enjoy spending time near the ocean as we walk along a sandy beach or sail on the waters of the Gulf of Maine. On occasion, we observe what we think may be an unusual and important sighting of a marine animal or a group of animals. We wonder if there is an organization that would be interested in learning about this observation, but we’re not sure who to call or contact. If we come upon an animal that appears to be in distress, such as an injured animal that has stranded on a beach or an entangled animal offshore, then we realize that quick and decisive actions on our part are needed
Many different organizations in New England are very interested in receiving sighting information on a variety of marine wildlife that can be found in the Gulf of Maine. Stranding networks respond to beached animals along our shores and are interested in the most immediate information about a stranding or a potential stranding, in order to provide the most effective response possible. A number of smaller non-profits, like NECWA, have community-sighting networks where interested members of the general public report sightings of specific animals to the network system. Some organizations, like SEANet, are using sighing data and bird carcasses collected from beaches by volunteers in an effort to learn more about the recent die-offs of marine seabirds and sea ducks. And others, like the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, maintain a federally recognized disentanglement network that responds to entangled whales, dolphins, seals and sharks.
Trying to figure out which organization to call or what group has jurisdiction in a given area, is often difficult and frustrating. To make reporting as simple and efficient as possible, NECWA has put together a “Marine Wildlife Response Card” that contains information on which organization or organizations are interested in receiving information. Also provided is contact information, including emails, phone numbers and web sites.
Click here to download a PDF version of this card. You may want to keep this information in your wallet, backpack or aboard your boat for emergency situations. You never know when you may sight a basking shark feeding at the water’s surface or a young seal who seems to be sick and has come to rest on a local beach.
Your efforts do make a difference and the information you provide helps to make many of these organizations and their projects a great success. Your actions can help scientists learn more about these amazing marine animal and may even help to save an animal’s life
Please contact NECWA if you are a government or private organization and would like to have your contact information included on our Marine Wildlife Response Card.
