Marine & coastal
Seals, sea lions, sea birds and sea turtles
Marine mammals and sea turtles are protected under federal law and are handled by authorized stranding-network responders. We accept the report, document the case, and coordinate the authorized next step rather than performing unauthorized field response.
Not sure what kind of animal or help is needed? Report it anyway.
Safety comes before rescue — always.
- Call 911 if a marine animal is causing a public safety hazard or if a person is injured.
- Never get between a marine mammal and the water, and never surround one on a beach.
- Keep dogs leashed and at least 50 yards away; dogs are a serious risk to stranded animals and to themselves.
- A seal pup alone on the sand is often normal and healthy. Crowding it can separate it from its mother permanently.
While you wait
Do
- Keep at least 50 yards away and keep others back too.
- Note the exact beach, nearest access point, tide conditions and time.
- Photograph from a distance with zoom so responders can assess condition.
- Report entanglement in fishing gear or netting immediately — it is time-critical.
- Contact the local authorized marine mammal stranding responder for the beach you're on.
- Wait for authorized responders and share what you observed.
Don't
- Don't touch, pour water on, feed, or push a marine animal back into the water.
- Don't attempt to cut netting or gear off an entangled animal.
- Don't allow a crowd, drones, or off-leash dogs near the animal.
- Don't move a sea turtle or collect any part of one — federal protections apply.
- Don't post an exact live location publicly before responders arrive.
- Don't assume DBT will respond in the field; marine cases require authorized-network coordination.
What we can and cannot do
Authorized-network coordination
Marine response requires federal authorization. We document the case and coordinate the authorized network for that stretch of coast, keeping the handoff tracked.
Documentation
We record marine reports so patterns — entanglement hotspots, repeated strandings — can be shared with the appropriate agencies.
Education
Beach safety, distance rules and dog etiquette around stranded animals are part of our public education work.
If this changes
If we ever obtain authorization or a formal partnership for marine work, it will be published and verified on our transparency page first.
Marine mammals are protected under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and sea turtles under the Endangered Species Act. Approaching, handling or disturbing these animals is a federal offense, regardless of intent to help.