New phone numbers to report sea turtle and marine mammal strandings in Louisiana are now available. The public is encouraged to report strandings as soon as possible with as much information, such as photos and GPS location, as can be obtained to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at the numbers below.
The number for sea turtle strandings is 1-844-SEA-TRTL (1-844-732-8785). Select option 4 to report a stranded sea turtle and then option 4 for Louisiana.
If the call to the Louisiana Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network is unanswered, leave a detailed message with your name, phone number, date, location of the stranding and condition of the turtle and a stranding coordinator will return your call as soon as possible.
To contact the NOAA Southeast Region Marine Mammal Stranding Network call 1-877-942-5343 .
Sea turtles and marine mammals are protected by state and federal laws such as the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It is illegal to harass or interact with marine mammals whether they are dead or alive.
To report marine mammal violations, such as people feeding, attempting to feed, or harassing marine mammals in the wild, please contact the national NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964 or LDWF’s Operation Game Thief at 1-800-442-2511. Information may be left anonymously.
