Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Objectives

  • Document and investigate Oregon marine mammal stranding events
  • Provide continuous surveillance for emerging, infectious, and zoonotic diseases; document human interaction takes
  • Promote the welfare of live stranded animals
    • Mitigate harassment
    • Disentangle marine mammals from debris and fishery gear

    • Provide euthanasia to severely moribund animals

  • Advance public education about marine mammal strandings
    • Answer more than 1,000 stranding-related calls annually

Learn more about OMMSN

 
Recent Strandings Map
strandmap

View a Map of Recent Strandings

Please Be Advised
  • It's normal for seals and sea lions to rest on shore.
  • 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.

Learn what to do if you find a marine mammal ashore

 

Harbor Seal Pupping Season Has Begun
Spring 2023

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.

It is a violation of federal and state laws to harass, disturb, touch, or feed marine mammals. Please report violations to the Oregon State Police (800) 452-7888.