This proposal requests funds to support the washington department of fish & wildlife's ongoing marine mammal stranding program and associated activities

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife a $266,676 project grant under the Marine Mammal Data Program to support the state's ongoing marine mammal stranding program through October 31, 2023. Key objectives of the program include providing live stranding responses, triage, and interventions for animals out of habitat or entangled; conducting thorough necropsies of fresh dead animals to assess causes of mortality; evaluating emerging diseases; increasing communication regarding stranding investigations; and coordinating with the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. The state agency will deliver these services to benefit marine mammal conservation in Washington waters. As the sub-awardee, the Washington Department of Public Instruction will support these program activities.

The specific objectives of this program are to: 1) provide live stranding responses and triage, requiring skilled expertise in live animal handling including animals out of habitat, oil spills, entanglement responses, umes, mass strandings, and other priority events requiring interventions; 2) conduct thorough necropsies of fresh dead animals to assess causes of mortality including human interactions, disease, and other causes; 3) evaluate the incidence and impact of emerging diseases that may increase mortality or increase health risks to marine mammals; 4) increase communication with other agencies, media and the general public regarding marine mammal stranding investigations; 5) continuing participation, communication, coordination within the west coast marine mammal stranding network; 6) attend meetings and trainings associat