Marine mammal alliance nantucket is the only stranding team for nantucket, tuckernuck and muskeget islands off the coast of cape COD, MA

Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket, Inc. received a $113,050 Project Grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Marine Mammal Data Program (CFDA 11.439) for the period January 1 – December 31, 2026. The award supports enhancement and sustainability of year-round marine mammal stranding response and rescue operations serving Nantucket, Tuckernuck, and Muskeget Islands off Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The organization responds to 235–306 field emergencies annually involving stranded and entangled seals (grey, harp, and harbor) and dolphins, with peak activity occurring November through February when the team rescues abandoned grey seal pups and directs them to rehabilitation facilities.

Specifically, the grant funds compensation for volunteer team leadership, acquisition of a dedicated transport vehicle for emergency response, travel expenses for staff training and professional conference attendance, and expansion of public outreach and education programming. These investments directly support the organization's core mission to protect marine mammals from human interaction and stranding events while building community awareness of marine mammal conservation. The funding aligns with NOAA's broader Marine Mammal Data Program objectives, which support stranding network operations, live animal rehabilitation, entanglement response, and data collection activities across coastal regions nationwide.

Our rescuers respond year round to stranded grey seals, harp seals, harbor seals and dolphins and very occasionally whales. Our field responses number between 235-306 per year. During our busiest times, from november through february, we protect and rescue abandoned grey seal pups, sending them off to rehab when necessary. February through june we respond to seal entanglements in marine debris along with injured and infirm grey seals, protecting them from human interaction. Summer brings dolphin strandings and educational opportunities. This project, enhancing and sustaining our current activities, requests compensation for a currently all volunteer team leadership, equipment in the form of a dedicated transport vehicle, travel money for training and conferences and funding to expand our outreach to educate the public - a crucial aspect of success. This project meets many aspects of national and regional priorities 1-4 and will greatly enhance our ability to continue to protect marine mammals on and around nantucket.