Report an Emergency

To Report a Sanctuary Emergency or Marine Enforcement Issue

Sanctuary resource emergency: 805-729-0611
Californians Turn In Poachers & Polluters (CalTIP): 1-888-334-2258
United States Coast Guard:

By marine radio: Channel 16 Marine Band Radio
By phone: 310-521-3600 (Sector LA/Long Beach emergency contact)

Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute Rescue Hotline: 805-567-1505 or online rescue form (for stranded live animals in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties).
West Coast Region Stranding Hotline: 866-767-6114 (for stranded sea lions, dolphins, and other marine mammals)
EPA National Resource Center (for a spill): 800-424-8802
NOAA Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-853-1964
Channel Islands National Park: 559-565-4221 (National Park Dispatch Center)

whale being disentangled — Photo: Whale Entanglement Team,
May 2014. NOAA
MMHSRP Permit 932-1489.

uscg helicopter lowering a basket — The sanctuary collaborates with the United States Coast Guard on emergency response and enforcement. Photo: Robert Schwemmer, NOAA/CINMS

ALERT (Southern California, Summer 2023): TOXIC ALGAL BLOOM AFFECTING MARINE MAMMALS

If you encounter a marine mammal in distress, keep your distance (and keep pets away) and contact Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute’s Hotline to report the situation: 805-567-1505 or complete their online rescue form. For more information, see this NOAA feature story.

Deceased dolphin and California sea lions showing symptoms of domoic acid poisoning. Photo: Staci Kaye-Carr, Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute.

Wildlife Reporting Hotlines

To report a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal:

Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute Rescue Hotline: 805-567-1505 or use online rescue form (for stranded live animals in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties).
West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline (off California, Oregon, and Washington): 1-866-767-6114
Channel Islands Cetacean Research Unit: 805-500-6220 (to report a dead stranded whale, dolphin, or porpoise)
Additional 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

northern elephant seal resting on a rocky beach — Elephant seal taking a break on an isolated beach in Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Robert Schwemmer, NOAA/CINMS