Dolphins have been reported across several Chesapeake Bay waterways this week, including the Patuxent River, Potomac River, South River, Severn River, West River, Magothy River, and Corrottoman River.
Residents and visitors heading out on the water this summer are encouraged to keep watch for dolphins and other marine wildlife, while also maintaining a safe and respectful distance.
Sightings of dolphins can be reported through the Chesapeake DolphinWatch app or website.
Anyone who spots dolphins is reminded not to touch, feed, chase, or approach the animals.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is also asking residents and visitors enjoying coastal and tidal waterways to remain alert for marine mammals and sea turtles throughout the summer and into early fall.
Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, whales, and other marine wildlife are regular seasonal visitors to the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, the Atlantic Ocean, and Maryland’s coastal bays.
Anyone who sees a distressed or injured marine mammal or sea turtle in Maryland waters is encouraged to report it to the Maryland Natural Resources Police Hotline at 800-628-9944. Reports of deceased marine mammals or sea turtles may also be submitted through an online reporting form.
Anglers, boaters, beachgoers, and waterfront residents should be especially alert for animals that appear stranded, dead, sick, injured, or entangled.
“Maryland has 3,190 miles of tidal coastline, and without reports from the public, it would be impossible to monitor every waterway,” said Stranding Response Program Director Amanda Weschler. “Each stranded animal — and the select necropsies we perform — provides valuable information that contributes to the scientific understanding of marine mammals and sea turtles in Maryland.”
Since 1990, Maryland’s Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Response Program has collected reports of more than 1,630 strandings. During the summer months through early fall, marine mammal and sea turtle sightings are reported more frequently, including occasional sightings of West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus). While rare, sightings of West Indian manatees in Maryland are possible, as the species is considered out-of-habitat in the state. The most recent stranded manatee in Maryland was reported in April 2025.
The Stranding Response Program supports federal protections under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Through necropsies, which are similar to human autopsies, officials collect data on individual animals, coastal populations, and the overall health of Maryland’s marine environment.
Marine animals may strand for many reasons, including old age, disease, vessel strikes, predation, entanglement in fishing gear, and parasitism.
Not every deceased animal is suitable for necropsy. Factors such as decomposition, staff availability, access to the site, and safety conditions may affect whether a necropsy can be performed. In those cases, program staff may collect preliminary data, document the location, and take photographs.
Depending on the situation and local regulations, deceased animals may be left to decompose naturally, buried on-site, or removed to an approved disposal facility.
The department urges anyone who encounters a stranded marine animal, alive or dead, to keep a safe distance and document key details, including photographs, location, and the animal’s condition, before making a report.
