Protected Species Response
The Division of Marine Fisheries collaborates with several partners toward the conservation of marine protected species, including marine mammals, sea turtles, and endangered fish species. The Division’s role in protected species has included both as first responders, removal of stranded species, and releasing rehabilitated animals. Reporting on standings for such species are critical in both preserving those that can be rehabilitated and furthering our understanding on what causes these events to occur.
Below is contact information for specific areas of interest. Alternatively, to report a sighting you can also contact the Department of Environmental Management at (401) 222-3070 and the Division of Marine Fisheries at (401) 423-1923. For further questions on the Division’s involvement with protected species, contact Tara Plee.
Strandings
Stranded animals include those that are deceased (floating offshore or on the shoreline), alive on a beach but unable to return to the water, alive on a beach and in need of apparent medical attention, or alive in the water and unable to return to its natural habitat without assistance. Remember that seals routinely haul out (beach themselves) and no response is warranted until after 24 hours unless injured or sick.
Stranded sea turtles and marine mammals including whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals should be immediately reported to Mystic Aquarium or NOAA. When reporting a stranded animal, include date and time, location, description of animal, and contact information.
Mystic Aquarium Stranding Hotline: (860) 572-5955, Press 0 for an operator or ext. 107.
NOAA Regional Stranding Hotline: (866) 755-6622
You can also use NOAA’s Dolphin and Whale 911 app to report a stranded marine mammal. The app is available for Apple devices.
If you see a stranded marine mammal or sea turtle, keep people and pets back a safe distance of at least 50 yards (150 feet).
Entanglements
If a sea turtle or marine mammal is entangled it is critical to report it as soon as possible. When reporting, provide the date and time, location, detailed description of the gear/debris, where the entanglement is located on the animal, behavior of the animal, condition of the animal (alive or dead), and species- if known. Photos or videos from different angles and from a safe and legal distance (note that regulations apply to certain species and areas) can provide valuable information to entanglement response teams. If you can stand by the animal at a safe distance until responders arrive, it will be the best help for the animal and response team.
For large whales: Immediately contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Ch-16 or NOAA’s regional hotline (866) 755-6622.
For dolphins, porpoises, seals, or sea turtles: Immediately contact Mystic Aquarium Stranding Hotline: (860) 572-5955, Press 0 for an operator or ext. 107 or NOAA regional hotline (866) 755-6622.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISENTANGLE without NOAA authorization and instruction
Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale Sightings
Report all right whale sightings to NOAA regional hotline (866) 755-6622, the U.S. Coast Guard via VHF Ch-16 or through the Whale Alert app. Include the date and time, location, and photos/videos, if possible, from a safe and legal distance.
Sturgeon
All reports on endangered species of sturgeon should be reported immediately. Call with exact date, location, description of the animal, and contact information to the DEM Division of Marine Fisheries at (401) 423-1923.