How many marine mammal rehabilitation facilities are there in the United States?
NMFS oversees marine mammal stranding response through a Regional Stranding Coordinator in each of the five NMFS regions. In all, there are over 400 organizations authorized by NMFS to respond to marine mammals strandings in some form or another. However, there are currently only 42 facilities that can rehabilitate stranded marine mammals under NMFS jurisdiction. In addition to these live stranding centers, there are many stranding network participants who are strictly beach or “first” responders (i.e., they rescue the animal, but don’t have adequate facilities to rehabilitate marine mammals over a period of time). Further, there are even more network participants that respond solely to dead marine mammal strandings. Responders to dead strandings make up the vast majority of LOA holders and may include Federal, state, and local governmental entities; non-profit organizations, academic institutions, museums, scientists, and managers among others.
There are currently 32 facilities that can rehabilitate stranded marine mammals under NMFS jurisdiction. In all, there are over 120 organizations or stranding network participants authorized by NMFS to respond to marine mammal strandings, but only some of those facilities can rehabilitate marine mammals. There are many organizations/stranding network participants who are strictly first responders on the beach (i.e., they rescue the animal, but don’t have adequate facilities to rehabilitate marine mammals). Some network participants respond only to dead marine mammal strandings. Responders to dead strandings make up the vast majority of responders and may include Federal, state, and local governmental entities, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, museums, scientists, and managers among others. NMFS oversees marine mammal stranding response through a Regional Stranding Coordinator in all 6 of NMFS’ regions.
Related Questions
- How can NMFS support the marine mammal rehabilitation network to rescue injured or ill animals, while recommending that commercial fishermen shoot nuisance marine mammals?
- I am starting a brand-new marine mammal stranding response and/or rehabilitation facility. Am I eligible to apply for Prescott funds?
- How many marine mammal rehabilitation facilities are there in the United States?
