What We Do

The Cape Cod Stranding Network responds to live and dead stranded marine mammals (see What is a stranding?) on the shores of Cape Cod and southeastern MA, an area with approximately 700 miles of coastline.  Our mission is to promote the conservation of marine mammal species (dolphins, whales, and seals) and their habitat by improving response and humane care to stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and promoting public awareness through education.  Below are some of the specific goals of CCSN:

Stranding response

• Respond to live and dead stranded marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals.
• Evaluate live-stranded animals to identify candidates for rescue, relocation, rehabilitation, and release.
• Plan and conduct relocation and release procedures; locate rehabilitation facilities for appropriate candidates, and aid in the transport of animals to facilities.
• Prevent mass strandings of dolphins and whales whenever possible and appropriate.

Research

• Perform full post-mortem examinations (necropsies) on all possible fresh carcasses, including human interaction evaluations, photographs, measurements, and tissue sampling to determine cause of death.
• Provide requested samples and data to outside researchers to increase the knowledge learned from each stranding event.
• Conduct research into the causes of strandings and apply the results to the prevention of future strandings.
• Develop "stranding science" through improved assessment, handling, medical treatment, and transportation of stranded animals

Education

• Educate the public about marine mammals, their role in the larger marine ecosystem, reasons for stranding, and the impacts of humans on these animals.

Conservation

• Provide necessary and relevant information from marine mammal strandings to the federal regulatory body, NOAA Fisheries, and other researchers and agencies in an effort ensure the development of effective conservation measures for marine mammals.