MMAN monitors, protects and assists marine mammals on and around Nantucket.
A Second Chance.
The Mission of the Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket is to monitor, rescue and protect marine mammals on Nantucket, advocate for their well-being, and educate the public.
Making a difference.
Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket
is an all-volunteer non-profit organization, formed in cooperation with NOAA Fisheries to monitor, protect and assist marine mammals around Nantucket, Muskeget and Tuckernuck islands. Our team is here to advise and educate the public on what is normal behavior for marine mammals and what needs to be reported for help. We respond and disentangle pinnipeds from fishing gear, escort stranded cetaceans to safer waters and deliver injured or ill animals to rehab when necessary. Through outreach, education, collaboration and advocacy, we strive to make a difference.
Raising Awareness.
Global warming is causing marine life to change their migration patterns and habits. These changes put them on a direct path toward increased human interaction. Ship strikes have become commonplace as have seals and whales entangled in fishing gear. Seabirds, fish and mammals are ingesting fatal quantities of plastics; whales, dolphins and turtles are being found far off course resulting in mass strandings and beaches littered with cold stunned Mola mola and turtles. Marine life depends on our stewardship. As Greta Thunberg said, “Our house is burning!”
All of us are connected to the ocean, no matter where we live, and the health of her inhabitants is paramount to a healthy ocean ecosystem.
“If you protect the ocean, you protect yourself.”
– Jean-Michel Cousteau, American Underwater Treasures
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![We’d like to thank the many concerned people who took a moment to call our Hotline (ca 40 calls to 833-667-6626), or call and text members of our team about the injured adult male seal who maneuvered his way along the south shore of Nantucket on Sunday. This unfortunate creature had been seriously injured by a boat propeller (indicated by 3 gashes across his back). His behavior of making his way on the surface of the water some 15-20 feet from shore was highly unusual and drew the attention of hundreds of beach goers and lifeguards. The MMAN team had observed him a few days before and followed his progress from 12:30 PM until early evening on Sunday. We had hoped he would come ashore to possibly facilitate a visual exam at least, and take a much needed rest. By sundown, he was out of sight and hopefully hauled out in a quiet place on Tuckernuck.
MMAN is a stranding response team. We are not permitted for water rescue. Add to that this was an adult male gray seal - likely 500+ lbs. and not a size we could capture and transport to rehab several hours out of state. We are grateful to all who called, texted, and spoke to us on the beach. Your compassion was felt and heartening. Please call us for any marine mammal ashore. Remember to stay 150’ away, leash your dog. Seals need to rest 50% of the time! If he/she notices you, you are too close. Give them space. Thank you from all of us at MMAN - Nantucket’s only NOAA authorized marine mammal rescue team! #rescueanimals #marinemammalrescue #compassion #wildliferescue]()
We’d like to thank the many concerned people who took a moment to call our Hotline (ca 40 calls to 833-667-6626), or call and text members of our team about the injured adult male seal who maneuvered his way along the south shore of Nantucket on Sunday. This unfortunate creature had been seriously injured by a boat propeller (indicated by 3 gashes across his back). His behavior of making his way on the surface of the water some 15-20 feet from shore was highly unusual and drew the attention of hundreds of beach goers and lifeguards. The MMAN team had observed him a few days before and followed his progress from 12:30 PM until early evening on Sunday. We had hoped he would come ashore to possibly facilitate a visual exam at least, and take a much needed rest. By sundown, he was out of sight and hopefully hauled out in a quiet place on Tuckernuck. MMAN is a stranding response team. We are not permitted for water rescue. Add to that this was an adult male gray seal - likely 500+ lbs. and not a size we could capture and transport to rehab several hours out of state. We are grateful to all who called, texted, and spoke to us on the beach. Your compassion was felt and heartening. Please call us for any marine mammal ashore. Remember to stay 150’ away, leash your dog. Seals need to rest 50% of the time! If he/she notices you, you are too close. Give them space. Thank you from all of us at MMAN - Nantucket’s only NOAA authorized marine mammal rescue team! #rescueanimals #marinemammalrescue #compassion #wildliferescueButton
