To report a stranded marine animal in the State of Maine, please contact the Maine Marine Animal Reporting Hotline: (800) 532-9551. A reference map can be found below. For additional information on what to do if you encounter a stranded Seal, Whale or Dolphin after reporting it to the hotline, please reference the links below:
Warning: Seals and seal pups rest on shore – Do NOT disturb them – It’s the law!
Do Not Touch the Animal
Harassment Warning Signs
Stay at least 150 feet away
Do not pour water on a seal, cover it, or attempt to move it back into the water
Keep pets on a leash
What to do if You Encounter a Stranded Whale or Dolphin
Do Not Touch the Animal
All Marine Mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It is illegal to touch, feed, disturb, or harass marine mammals. Violators can be arrested and/or fined. [back to top]
Harassment Warning Signs
When your presence causes increased vocalization, movement back into the water, or when your behavior changes their behavior. [back to top]
Stay at least 150 feet away
Seals that are continually approached do not get a chance to rest. Returning an exhausted animal to the ocean could be fatal. Continued disturbance of mother/pup pairs could lead to the abandonment and subsequent mortality of the pup. [back to top]
Do not pour water on a seal, cover it, or attempt to move it back into the water
It is normal for seals to come ashore to rest and be dry. [back to top]
Keep Pets on a Leash
Inquisitive dogs can startle a resting seal causing an aggressive, defensive response, that can injure your pet and/or the seal. In addition to possible injury, diseases can be transmitted between stranded animals and pets. [back to top]
What to do if you Encounter a Stranded Whale or Dolphin
Unlike seals, whales, porpoises, and dolphins are completely out of their element when on land. Such an event almost always indicates a more serious health problem. The process of stranding alone can be catastrophic for a cetacean, even for an animal that has simply lost its way. As a result, a cascade of physiological changes occurs resulting in shock and ultimately death. It is imperative that stranded whales, porpoises, and dolphins be given proper supportive care as soon as possible. Please call the hotline number above in order to mitigate this process. [back to top]
