The Louisiana Marine Mammal Stranding Network is a volunteer organization operating under the auspices of the United States Marine Mammal Stranding Network; the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972; the Endangered Species Act; and the Animal Welfare Act. The network is administered by the Department of Commerce – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – The entire US network is staffed mainly by volunteers.
The US Marine Mammal Stranding Network has three legally mandated purposes:
– Provide rapid and effective action that will best serve the well being of the stranded animal(s).
– Collect and ensure proper data collection and analyses.
– Detect anomalous mortality events with near real time reporting.