Cetacean Mass Stranding Best Practices

“Mass strandings” describes a simultaneous stranding of two or more cetaceans (same or mixed species) at the same time and place (other than cow-calf pairs) (Geraci et al. 1999). Mass stranding responses are more complex than responses to single animals, and the best mass stranding outcomes occur when response personnel are trained and prepared for unforeseen and changing conditions, and equipped to make challenging decisions. This document brings together the best practices and standardized protocols that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recommends to make the most informed decisions and determine the best course of action during responses to mass cetacean strandings.