The primary goal of this proposal is to support cascadia's ongoing stranding marine mammal stranding response and large whale disentanglement efforts throughout washington state

This Project Grant award of $213,612 from the Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides funding through the Marine Mammal Data Program (CFDA 11.439) to support the ongoing marine mammal stranding response and large whale disentanglement efforts of Cascadia Research Collective in Washington State. As the primary responder covering large portions of southern Puget Sound, Hood Canal, and the Washington outer coast, including Olympic National Park, Cascadia will utilize the funding to continue conducting over 1,000 stranding responses and necropsies per year. The award period is from October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023. Nondiscretionary funding under the Marine Mammal Data Program supports state agencies and organizations in collecting and analyzing data on marine mammals that interact with state-managed fisheries and other marine resources.

Elements of our stranding program address several category B2 national and regional priorities (outlined in the objectives below). Cascadia's long experience with stranding response and necropsies (over 1,000 strandings in the last 10 years, see organization summary), and large whale stranding and entanglement response in particular, is an important stabilizing element in washington. Response in this state is somewhat fragmented as several small groups (many providing level a only examinations) cover tiny portions of coastline, particularly in inland waters. Cascadia's primary response areas include large portions of the state – southern puget sound, hood canal, and a majority of the washington outer coast (recently expanded to include olympic national park), all of which are important areas for both cetacean a