Home › Research Labs

Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network (OMMSN)

CLICK HERE to learn what to do if you find a marine mammal ashore

Objectives of the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network

  • Promote the scientific investigation of marine mammal stranding events
  • Provide for the welfare of live stranded animals
    • Mitigate harassment
    • Disentangle marine mammals from debris and fishery gear
  • Advance public education about marine mammal strandings
  • Report Level A Data to NMFS for inclusion in national database

We generally Do NOT:

  • Dispose of dead marine mammals - this is the responsibility of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
  • Respond to bird, fish, or non-marine mammal calls
  • Rehabilitate harbor seal pups or California sea lions - wild populations are healthy and growing in Oregon

Please be advised: it is normal for seals and sea lions to rest on shore, and there are no rescue and rehabilitation options for sick or injured seals and sea lions in Oregon. The state policy is to minimize disturbance from people and to let nature take its course.

READ MORE ABOUT the Oregon Marine Mammal Strading Network

Stranding News

Harbor Seal Pupping Season Has Begun

Springtime is pup season. At this time of year, harbor seal pups are frequently found alone on area beaches. They are usually not stranded, but simply resting (as all baby mammals must do) and waiting for their mothers to come back ashore to nurse them. Adult female seals are shy and unlikely to rejoin a pup if there is activity nearby. They may only return to suckle their pup at night when people (and dogs) are not around. It is very important not to interfere with this process, and especially not to move a pup from where it is receiving care from its mother. READ MORE

Funding for Stranding Networks in Peril

To the deep dismay of stranding response organizations around the U.S., the President's FY2013 budget request did not include funding for the John H. Prescott Grant Program.  Because the Prescott Grant is the primary source of financial support for stranding network activities nationwide, it’s hard to imagine how stranding responses will be conducted without this critical support.

On the bright side, this was not a final funding decision, but rather the Administration’s budget proposal to Congress. It is the responsibility of Congress to make final funding decisions regarding appropriation bills and that process is just getting started for FY2013. Jim Rice and Bruce Mate of the Marine Mammal Institute drafted a letter and gathered 55 co-signatures in support of the reinstitution of Prescott funding, which has been sent to key legislators. You can read the letter here.