Pollution and Wildlife Reporting Hotlines

As good stewards of the environment, it is important to always report any oil, chemical, hazardous waste and sewage discharges to the proper authorities as well as any sick, injured, stranded, abandoned, harassed or disturbed wildlife.Reporting will help not only to protect our natural resources but also to minimize any potential impacts a spill or incident may cause.

Pollution Reporting

  • Emergency Telephone System:911

  • Oil, Chemical and Hazardous Waste Spills:
     
    • National Response Center 1(800) 424-8802 (CH 16) and California Office of Emergency Service 1(800) OILS911
      The discharge of fuel, oil, oily wastes and hazardous substances is absolutely prohibited into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or the waters of the contiguous zone if such discharge causes a film or sheen upon, or discoloration of the surface of the water, or causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water (40 CFR 110.3).

    • Any oil, chemical or sewage discharge should be reported immediately. Anyone who sees or causes a spill of oil or chemicals must report it by calling both the National Response Center 1(800) 424-8802 (CH 16) and California Office of Emergency Service 1(800) OILS911

    • Report an oiled animal at Wildlife Care Network (OWCN)
      If you see an oiled animal, please do not touch or approach it! Instead, please report the animal(s) to the OWCN Response Hotline at 1-877-UCD-OWCN (823-6926).
  • Sewage Discharges

    • California office of Emergency Response (800) OILS911 (645-7911)
    • National Response Center (800) 424-8802.

Wildlife Emergency Reporting

  • NOAA West Coast Region Stranding hotline (866-767-6114)
    Report stranded, injured or dead marine mammals along the West Coast

  • Marine Wildlife Rescue

    • Entangled Whales Statewide
      1-877-SOS-WHALE (1-877-767-9425)

    • Del Norte and Humboldt Counties
      Northcoast Marine Mammal Center: (707) 951-4722

    • Mendocino through San Luis Obispo
      The Marine Mammal Center: (415) 289-7350

    • Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
      Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute: (805) 567-1505

    • Los Angeles (Malibu only)
      California Wildlife Center: (310) 924-7256

    • Los Angeles County
      Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles: (800) 399-4253

    • Orange County
      Pacific Marine Mammal Center: (949) 494-3050

    • San Diego County
      SeaWorld of California: (800) 541-7325

    • California Turn in Poachers: 1(888) DFG-CALTIP (334-2258)  

    • NOAA West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response: (1-877-767-9425) 
      U.S. Coast Guard: VHF Ch.16

    • To report harassments and other violations to law enforcement: NOAA Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-853-1964
  • Reporting Dead Marine Mammals

    • Del Norte, Humboldt, Northern Mendocino Counties
      California Polytechnic State University–Humboldt: (707) 826-3650

    • Southern Mendocino through San Mateo County
      California Academy of Sciences: (415) 379-5381

    • Santa Cruz County
      Long Marine Laboratory: (831) 212-1272

    • Monterey County
      Moss Landing Marine Laboratory: (831) 771-4422

    • Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
      Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute: (805) 567-1505

    • San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura Counties
      Channel Islands Cetacean Research Unit: (805) 500-6220

    • Los Angeles County
      Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance: (949) 276-2237

    • Orange County
      Pacific Marine Mammal Center: (949) 494-3050

    • San Diego County
      NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center: (858) 546-7162

  • Reporting Sick or Dead Birds

Aquatic Invasive Species Sighting Reporting

  • Reporting Invasive Species in California:
    https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/report
    For questions about sightings of a known or potentially invasive animal (non-insect) or marine plant, please contact the Invasive Species Program at (866) 440-9530 or send an
    e-mail to invasives@wildlife.ca.gov

  • Reporting Aquatic Weeds in the Delta:
    For Water Hyacinth, Egeria densa, Curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, Fanwort and Water primrose sighting, please call the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) at (888) 326-2822 or send an e-mail to ais@parks.ca.gov. Include in your message the address or nearest landmark of the sighting. If possible, take photographs of the plant.

  • 24 Hour Vessel Assistance (Fees Involved): 1(800) 367-8222