Report Emergency or Violation

kayakers paddling near a raft of sea otters
Kayakers should keep a safe distance of at least 50 yards from wildlife to prevent disturbances. Photo: Emily Pomeroy/Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest

Compliance with regulations is essential for protecting biodiversity and habitats and providing long-term social and economic benefits. Community support is built through education and outreach, and effective enforcement, which in turn enhances compliance with regulations.

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Who Do I Call?

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary relies on both state and federal enforcement partners to patrol sanctuary waters to protect sanctuary users, wildlife, and habitats. Regular patrols are conducted by air and sea by United States Coast Guard personnel, California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens and California State Park Service rangers. NOAA Office of Law Enforcement provides investigative services. Sanctuary staff provide technical support and situational awareness to valued enforcement partners.

To Report an Immediate Emergency

Call 911 for emergencies with significant threat to life

Emergencies are events which are in progress and pose an immediate and significant threat of harm to life, property, or the environment (e.g., a vessel on fire or sinking, violent harassment or destruction of wildlife, large oil spill). If you are aware of an emergency, dial 911 and your call will be forwarded to the appropriate emergency response agency.

To report a sanctuary emergency, call the 24/7 sanctuary emergency response hotline: (831) 236-6797.

To report an oil or hazardous material spill, call the California Office of Emergency Services: (800) 852-7550.

To report polluters (pouring waste into a storm drain for example), wildlife with oil on them, or any fish and wildlife violation, call the California Department of Fish and Wildlife CalTIP Hotline: (888) 334-CalTIP (334-2258), text: "CalTIP [your message]" to 847411.

To Report a Non-Emergency Sanctuary Issue

Sanctuary Violations

NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964 or the sanctuary resource protection coordinator at (831) 647-4253. Use the guidelines for documenting violations form as an aide when providing information by phone, or complete the fillable form and submit via email at: montereybay@noaa.gov.

Marine Life Disturbances or Harassments on Land

NOAA Enforcement Hotline: (800) 853-1964
California Department of Fish and Wildlife CalTIP Hotline: (888) 334-CalTIP (888-334-2258), text: "CalTIP [your message]" to 847411, or use CalTIP app [link to 9.4].

Entangled Marine Mammals at Sea

Entanglement Reporting Hotline: (877) SOS-WHAL (877-767-9425)
The U.S. Coast Guard via marine radio: VHF Ch. 16

Lost Derelict Gear at Sea

Lost Gear Hotline: (855) 542-3935

Live-Stranded Seals, Sea Lions, Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, and Sea Turtles

Live-Stranded or Deceased Sea Otters

Santa Cruz County and North

Monterey County

San Luis Obispo County and South

Live-Stranded or Deceased Wildlife with Oil

  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife CalTIP Hotline: (888) 334-CalTIP (334-2258), text: "CalTIP [your message]" to 847411, or use CalTIP app [link to 9.4].

Deceased Seals, Sea Lions, Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, and Sea Turtles

Bay Area Counties

Santa Cruz County (north of Pajaro River)

Monterey County (south of Pajaro River)

San Luis Obispo County

Live Birds or Terrestrial Mammals (in Distress)

Deceased Seabirds

Dead seabirds should be left in place and not buried on the beach. Biologists routinely survey beaches within the sanctuary for dead birds. In fact, the BeachCOMBER Program is part of these survey efforts. The collected data is used to study bird mortality patterns and identify any significant problems. Removal of dead seabirds can hinder these research efforts, therefore, resource protection agencies prefer to leave them in place.

If you find birds with oil on them, notify California Department of Fish and Wildlife CalTIP Hotline: (888) 334-CalTIP (334-2258), text: "CalTIP [your message]" to 847411, or use CalTIP app available from iTunes App Store or Google Play.

If you find an unusually large concentration of dead birds within the sanctuary, please email the BeachCOMBERS Coordinator at: beachcombersmb@gmail.com.