ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is urging boaters, anglers and beachgoers in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties to stay alert for marine mammals and sea turtles in local waterways and to report any stranded, injured or deceased animals immediately.
Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, whales and other marine wildlife are regular seasonal visitors to the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, and other tidal tributaries that define Southern Maryland’s coastline. With 3,190 miles of tidal shoreline across the state, public reports are essential for monitoring these animals.
Anyone who sees a distressed or injured marine mammal or sea turtle should call the Maryland Natural Resources Police Hotline at 800-628-9944. Dead animals can also be reported through a simple online form on the DNR website.
“Maryland has 3,190 miles of tidal coastline, and without reports from the public, it would be impossible to monitor every waterway,” said Stranding Response Program Director Amanda Weschler. “Each stranded animal — and the select necropsies we perform — provides valuable information that contributes to the scientific understanding of marine mammals and sea turtles in Maryland.”
Since 1990, Maryland’s Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response Program has documented more than 1,630 strandings. Sightings and strandings increase during the summer and early fall. While rare, West Indian manatees occasionally venture into Maryland waters as out-of-habitat visitors. The most recent stranded manatee was reported in April 2025.
The program supports federal protections under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Necropsies on deceased animals yield data on individual health, population status and the overall condition of Maryland’s marine environment.
Common causes of strandings include old age, disease, vessel strikes, predation, entanglement in fishing gear and parasitism. Not every reported animal can undergo a full necropsy due to decomposition, site accessibility or resource limitations. In such cases, staff collect preliminary data, location information and photographs. The carcass may be left to decompose naturally on site when safe and appropriate, benefiting the local ecosystem.
Southern Maryland’s extensive tidal shoreline makes the region particularly important for stranding response. Boaters and anglers in the Patuxent River, Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay tributaries and coastal areas of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties are often the first to spot animals in distress. Prompt reporting helps officials respond quickly and gather critical scientific data that informs conservation efforts for species that rely on these local waters.
The DNR advises the public to maintain a safe and respectful distance from any stranded animal, whether alive or dead. Observers should document the location, take photographs if possible and note the animal’s condition before calling the hotline.
Marine animals play important roles in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, and their health reflects broader environmental conditions in Southern Maryland. The stranding program contributes to understanding threats facing these species and helps guide protection strategies for the region’s valuable natural resources.
For more information on marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, including disposal guidance and contact lists for local assistance, visit the Maryland DNR website. The department encourages everyone enjoying Southern Maryland’s waterways this summer to keep an eye out and report sightings responsibly.
