Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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Maryland Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response Program

​​History of the Program

Maryland's Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response Program was formed in 1990 following the stranding of a bottlenose dolphin in the northern reaches of the Tuckahoe River. Stranding staff respond to marine mammals and sea turtles in Maryland waters including both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources partners with The National Aquarium Animal Rescue - Marine Animal Rescue Program to coordinate stranding response. This program responds to all marine mammals and sea turtles that strand alive, while the department responds to the dead strandings. Another response partner is the Smithsonian Institution. The osteo-prep lab staff at the Smithsonian Museum Support Center assists with the response and receives skeletal specimens of rare species after the necropsy exam. 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Stranding Response Program operates out of the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory in Oxford, Maryland. The Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program is part of the Fish and Wildlife Health Program which monitors and investigates fish and wildlife mortality throughout Maryland.

Please note: Stranding Response Program staff are not responsible for dead animal disposal. By adhering to established guidelines the Stranding Response Program ensures its efforts remain focused on scientific research and conservation.  Individuals seeking assistance with the disposal of deceased marine wildlife can view a list of relevant contacts by county.

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CALL 1-800-628-9944 TO REPORT STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS AND SEA TURTLES (alive or dead). CALL IS FREE FROM ANY MARYLAND PHONE NUMBER AND AVAILABLE 24 HRS-7 DAYS.

To communicate the whereabouts of Dead or Dying Marine Mammals,
​you can also use this Marine Mammal Stranding Survey Link


Marine Mammals

stranded dolphin

Species of marine mammals that have stranded in Maryland since 1900:

Toothed Whales (Odontocetes)Baleen Whales (Mysticetes)
Atlantic white-sided dolphinFin Whale
Bottlenose dolphin Humpback Whale
Common DolphinMinke Whale
Dwarf Sperm WhaleNorth Atlantic Right Whale
Gervais' Beaked WhaleSeiwhale
Long-Finned Pilot WhaleSeals (Pinniped)
Pigmy Sperm Whale Harbor Seal
Risso's DolphinHarp Seal
Short-Finned Pilot WhaleHooded Seal
Sperm WhaleGray Seal
Striped Dolphin
True’s Beaked Whale
Spotted Dolphin
Clymene Dolphin
Manatee

The most commonly stranded toothed whale, or odontocete, in Maryland is the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The most commonly stranded baleen whale, or mysticete, is the humpback whale. The most commonly stranded seal, or pinniped, is the harp seal. Marine mammals strand for a variety of reasons including old age, disease, major trauma (vessel strike), predation, entanglement in fishing gear, and parasitism. On average, 15 marine mammals strand each year. Most strandings occur on the Atlantic Ocean coast.

Marine mammals tend to strand seasonally based on the species and its range. For example, the harbor porpoise tends to strand in the late winter or early spring, while the bottlenose dolphin tends to strand in late spring, summer, and early fall. Seals tend to be in Maryland during the winter.

Marine Mammals are protected by law under the Marine Mammal Protection Act which prohibits the "taking" of marine mammals in all US waters. A "take" is defined as "to harass, hunt, capture, kill, or feed any marine mammal". Marine mammals are still protected under these laws even after their death. Collecting dead marine mammal remains is also considered a "take". Violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act can result in hefty fines, imprisonment, or the seizure of vessels and personal property.

Here are some things you can do to help marine mammals:

  • KEEP your distance from dolphins and other marine mammals. Put your engine in neutral while the animal(s) pass. Never follow or chase a dolphin, whale, or other marine mammal.
  • NEVER cast your fishing line where you have seen dolphins and marine mammals surfacing to breathe. Dolphins are naturally curious and may stay near you-especially if you are near fish-their favorite food.
  • NEVER feed dolphins or other marine mammals, this is just as dangerous for the person as the dolphin.
  • KEEP all of your garbage picked up! Garbage in the water is confused as food and can be fatal if eaten by dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals.
  • KEEP your distance from seals! Seals can be aggressive, especially toward pets (ie- your dog on its leash). Seal bites can be both painful and unsafe, since they can transmit diseases to humans and our domestic pets.

Sea Turtles

Species of sea turtles that have stranded in Maryland since 1991:

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

The most commonly stranded sea turtle in Maryland is the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). The largest sea turtle in the world is the leather back, which can weigh up to 1 ton (2,200 pounds). On average Maryland has 25 dead sea turtles strandings each year. Most strandings occur along the Atlantic Coast, however, sea turtles have stranded as far north as the Magothy River in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Each year, when water temperatures warm, sea turtles visit the Chesapeake Bay and water's off Maryland's coast. Sea turtles eat a variety of prey found within our waters including jellyfish, horseshoe crabs, crabs, and whelks. Individuals often return to the same feeding grounds each year and in between nesting periods.

Sea turtles strand due to a variety of natural and human causes. Natural causes of stranding or death can be due to old age, disease, predation, and cold stunning (hypothermia). Human induced strandings can be caused by hunting, boat strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and habitat degradation.

Sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act (1973) and Maryland Non-Game and Endangered Species Conservation Act (1975). Sea turtles are still protected under these laws even after their death. Collecting dead sea turtles remains is also considered a violation. Violations of these laws can result in hefty fines, imprisonment, or the seizure of vessels and personal property.

What you can do to help sea turtles:

  • NEVER cast your fishing line where you have seen sea turtles surfacing to breathe. Sea turtles may be attracted by your bait and can get hooked on your line which would damage your rod, and hurt the turtle.
  • ALWAYS clean up your trash! Sea turtles can confuse garbage, especially plastic, floating in water for food. If sea turtles eat garbage they can die.
  • RECYCLE your monofilament line! Even small pieces can entangle a sea turtle or be confused for food.
  • REDUCE your speed in areas where sea turtles are seen. Sea turtles are susceptible to boat strikes which are fatal in most cases.
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To report a live, entangled, or dead sea turtle please call: 1-800-628-9944 (24/7, toll free in Maryland). Entangled turtles, turtles with deep cuts or embedded hooks need veterinary care. Call Stranding Responders immediately at 410-373-0083 or 443-758-6607 or US Coast Guard on CH-16 on your VHF radio. 


Frequently Asked Questions


Are dolphin sightings common in the Chesapeake Bay?
Yes. Every summer, Maryland’s Fish and Wildlife Health Program receives reports of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the bay and its tributaries. They are typically seen from May-October in groups called pods, which often consist of both adults and calves and can include more than 50 animals.

Why are they here?
Dolphins migrate into the area following food sources when water temperatures are at their warmest. While they are typically observed hunting schools of fish, dolphins are intelligent animals and have been known to follow commercial watermen!

How long are they found in the area?
Dolphins stick around as long as food sources are abundant and water temperatures remain warm. Sightings have been reported as far north as Kent County. Occasionally, they appear in the Severn River, as well as around Kent Island. Sightings north of the Bay Bridge do occur, but are far less common than those occurring farther south in Calvert, Dorchester, Somerset, St. Mary’s and Talbot counties. Sightings are the most common along the Atlantic Coast at Ocean City and Assateague Island National Seashore.

Do other marine species migrate here? Manatee
Yes. To date, 23 migrating species have been found in Maryland waters, which tend to vary seasonally. In the warmer months, bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles and whales are most common. However, a few West Indian manatee sightings are also reported in the bay every summer. Sea turtles and whales remain in the area during the fall, and there is a shift to other species of dolphins. Once they’ve moved on, cooler temperate species such as harbor porpoises and seals arrive for the winter and tend to stay until spring. Rare species such as True’s beaked whales and spotted dolphins are also seen along the shore.

Did I see a dolphin or a porpoise?
Contrary to popular belief, dolphins and porpoises are not the same. While frequently confused for one another, they actually have a number of distinct differences:

​Dolphins Porpoises
Size 7.5-12.5 ft. long 4.5-5.5 ft. long
Dorsal Fin High, curved, sickle-shaped Low, broad-based, triangular
Teeth Cone-shaped Spade-shaped
Head Thick beak called a rostrum Blunt
Coloration Dark grey or black on top, lighter belly Dark grey or back on top, light-grey belly, white underside


Who do I contact if I think something is wrong?
To report an injured, entangled or dead marine mammal or sea turtle, or to report suspected illegal activity, please contact the Maryland Natural Resources Police Call Center, available toll-free 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-628-9944.

Sea Turtle

Is someone keeping track of these species?
Yes. The Maryland Fisheries Service Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response Program—established in the fall of 1990—responds to all dead strandings that occur in the Chesapeake Bay and along the Atlantic Coast, which includes approximately 3,800 miles of coastline.

Since the program’s inception, personnel have responded to more than 450 marine mammals and 600 sea turtles. Program staff works cooperatively with the National Aquarium in Baltimore, which responds to live strandings.

Reporting sightings benefits both programs, as it provides a greater understanding of both the number and variety of species frequenting Maryland waters. The Stranding Program also partners with the Smithsonian Institution to examine endangered and rare species, and the carcasses and skeletal specimens are eventually accessioned into their collections.​

What should I do after an encounter?
Enjoy the experience! You are welcome to take photos or even a video to document your encounter.

However, remember that the Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits the harassment of any marine mammal species. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, chasing or following an animal and/or getting too close, touching an animal, and attempting to swim with or feed them. This is as much for their safety as it is for your own.

Additionally, maintain discretion when encountering sea turtles. All species are threatened or endangered and protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Fines up to $25,000 and up to a year in jail can be imposed if illegal activity is determined.

Please note: Stranding Response Program staff are not responsible for dead animal disposal. By adhering to established guidelines the Stranding Response Program ensures its efforts remain focused on scientific research and conservation.  Individuals seeking assistance with the disposal of deceased marine wildlife can view a list of relevant contacts by county.


Fact sheets on the seven most common marine mammal and sea turtle species found in Maryland waters.

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For additional information, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Stranding Response Program website.

For questions, comments or concerns, please contact Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Coordinator Amanda Weschler or Fish and Wildlife Health Program Leader Dr. Cindy Driscoll.​​​



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