1. Continue to perform high quality dead stranded animal response across the state of alaska through the continued funding of a necropsy biologist (formerly stranding coordinator) to direct necropsy…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded the University of Alaska Anchorage $133,335 under the Marine Mammal Data Program (CFDA 11.439) for the period November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026. This project grant supports comprehensive dead stranded animal response operations across Alaska through six primary deliverables: (1) maintaining high-quality necropsy operations directed by a full-time necropsy biologist responsible for sample management, handling, storage, and tracking; (2) conducting continuous surveillance and data analysis for toxins and infectious diseases with enhanced capabilities to maintain a year-round database and share Levels A-C data with NOAA and network partners; (3) organizing and archiving data for retrieval and distribution to support presentations, publications, and the HealthMap platform; and (4) providing support and training to rural volunteer network members while conducting outreach and necropsy training in underserved regions of northern and western Alaska.

The award additionally funds workforce development and capacity-building activities, including educational outreach through presentations and necropsy demonstrations at Anchorage schools and summer camps to inspire future stranding network participation, and hosting specialized large whale necropsy and human interaction training sessions. These activities collectively enhance Alaska's marine mammal stranding response infrastructure and contribute to the broader Marine Mammal Data Program's mission of collecting and analyzing information on marine mammals in U.S. waters to support conservation and health monitoring efforts.

1. Continue to perform high quality dead stranded animal response across the state of alaska through the continued funding of a necropsy biologist (formerly stranding coordinator) to direct necropsy sampling, manage sample handling, storage, shipping and tracking. 2. Facilitate continuous surveillance and data analysis for toxins and infectious disease with improved ability to share level a-c data with year-round database maintenance and sample archiving. 3. Organize data for easy retrieval for distribution to NOAA and network partners, use in presentations, publications and the healthmap 4. Provide support for previously trained network volunteers from rural areas to expedite and enhance local responses, perform outreach to recruit network volunteers and offer necropsy training in areas currently lacking coverage (i.e. northern and western, AK). 5. Inspire future stranding network members via presentations and necropsy demonstrations at anchorage schools, summer camps and other student venues when invited. 6. Support large whale necropsy response by hosting a large whale necropsy and human interaction training