Entanglements

people on a raft work to disentangle a whale
Marine Mammal Stranding Network volunteers work together to disentangle a gray whale from fishing lines. Photo: K. Hughes NOAA MMHSRP PERMIT #18786

The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary team is a proud partner with the Marine Mammal Stranding Network coordinated by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Sanctuary staff and vessel crew are trained and ready to support disentanglement of marine mammals in the Santa Barbara Channel Region.

a chart showing whale entenglement stats
Number of confirmed reports of large whales, including humpback, gray, and blue whales entangled in fishing gear, ropes and other sources along the U.S. West Coast from 2000 to 2013. Graph from NOAA Fisheries 2019 West Coast Whale Entanglement Summary Report. Last Updated April 2020. In the legend, color represents the different species of whales and “n” represents the total number of that species confirmed entangled in the study period. Of the 46 confirmed whale entanglements, 30 were reported off California, 6 of which originated from southern California (Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties). However, the location where entangled animals are observed and reported does not necessarily reflect where and when the entanglement originated. Figure credit: D. Lawson/NMFS WCRO PRD.

Information about recorded marine mammal entanglement incidents along the U.S. West Coast is available from NOAA Fisheries' West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program.

Reporting Hotlines

To report a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal along the West Coast
(i.e., off California, Oregon, and Washington)

  • West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline: 1-866-767-6114
  • Regional Stranding Response Contacts

To report entangled marine mammals

  • Entanglement Reporting Hotline: 1-877-SOS-WHAL or 1-877-767-9425
  • The U.S. Coast Guard via marine radio: VHF Ch. 16

To report marine wildlife harassments and other violations to law enforcement

  • NOAA Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-853-1964

To report lost fishing gear

  • Lost Fishing Gear Hotline: 1-855-542-3935

What information to report?

  • Species or description of the animal
  • Location (region/landmarks and/or specific location like GPS coordinates)
  • Date and time the animal was last seen
  • Approximate size of the animal (length and weight), take a photo with a phone if possible
  • Condition of the animal (alive, dead, wounded, entangled, bleeding, etc.)
  • Human interactions (evidence of ship strike, entangled, shooting, etc.)
  • Tags or branding on the animal (if applicable)
  • Name and contact number for the person reporting the incident