Ocean Disposal of Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Carcasses

EPA has issued a general permit under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) to authorize the transport and disposal of marine mammal and sea turtle carcasses in ocean waters under specified conditions. The term “marine mammal” means any mammal that is morphologically adapted to the marine environment, including sea otters and members of the orders Sirenia (e.g., manatee, dugong), Pinnipedia (e.g., seal, sea lion), and Cetacea (e.g., dolphin, whale) or primarily inhabits the marine environment (e.g., polar bears, sea otters). The Marine Turtle Conservation Act defines a sea turtle using the term “marine turtle”, which means any member of the taxonomic family Cheloniidae or Dermochelyidae.

The MPRSA general permit does not require that marine mammal or sea turtle carcasses be disposed of in ocean waters; it merely authorizes ocean disposal when there is a need for such disposals. The general permit was published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2025 [90 FR 31998]. 

The previous general permit was published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2016 [81 FR 87928 (pdf)] and expired on January 4, 2024. The EPA did not make substantive changes to the content of the previous general permit, though it did revise the scope and eligibility provisions.

Why is this permit needed?

Transportation of any material, including marine mammal and sea turtle carcasses, for the purpose of disposal in ocean waters requires a permit under the MPRSA. In the past, EPA issued MPRSA permits for disposal of marine mammal carcasses in ocean waters on an emergency basis. This general permit streamlines MPRSA authorization and reduces burdens associated with case-by-case emergency permitting. 

What are the potential adverse effects of ocean disposal of marine animal carcasses?

Ocean disposal of marine mammal and sea turtle carcasses is not anticipated to have any effect on human health, fisheries resources or marine ecosystems. This conclusion is based upon scientific studies of the decomposition of large carcasses on the seafloor.

Who is eligible under the permit for ocean disposal of marine mammal and sea turtle carcasses?

The general permit authorization to transport from the United States and dispose of a marine mammal or sea turtle carcass in ocean waters is available only for: 

• any officer, employee, agent, department, agency or instrumentality of federal, state, Tribal, or local unit of government;
• any Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program Stranding Agreement Holder or authorized member of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (see Section A of permit); and
• any Alaska Native and members of the Makah Indian Tribe already authorized to take a marine mammal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and/or Endangered Species Act.

Questions regarding Section A of the permit

Does this general permit require the disposal of marine mammal or sea turtle carcasses in ocean waters?

The general permit does not require disposal in ocean waters; it merely authorizes ocean disposal when there is a need for disposition of such carcasses in ocean waters. If the risk of human contact with a beached carcass is very low, it may be unnecessary to disturb the carcass at all. Under other circumstances, land-based disposal may be more expeditious than disposal at sea.

Can any marine mammal or sea turtle carcass be disposed of at sea?

There may be circumstances where the disposal of a marine mammal or sea turtle carcass in ocean waters is not permitted. For example, if a large whale has been chemically euthanized with chemicals that represent a threat to the marine environment, disposal in ocean waters would not be appropriate. Similarly, if marine mammal or sea turtle carcasses are heavily oiled or covered with some other chemical contaminant, land-based disposal options, such as incineration, may be more appropriate. Coordination with EPA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will include assessing whether there are any potential contamination concerns that might preclude a marine mammal or sea turtle carcass from being disposed of in ocean waters.

Does EPA have a preferred disposal method for marine mammal or sea turtle carcasses?

EPA does not recommend any specific disposal method. Factors such as carcass size, carcass location, number of carcasses and availability of local resources affect the practicability of disposal options. Consequently, selection of a preferred disposal method is situationally dependent and made on a case-by-case basis. If you determine that ocean disposal for the carcass is appropriate, rather than a land-based disposal option, please contact the appropriate EPA Regional contact as soon as possible.

If I have determined that ocean disposal is the best option, how do I identify an appropriate disposal location and receive assistance from EPA on the selection of a location?

To expedite EPA concurrence on the selection of a disposal location, please contact the appropriate EPA Regional contact as soon as possible. EPA may have already identified acceptable ocean disposal locations for marine mammal or sea turtle carcasses close to the location of the carcass(es), or EPA can help you identify an appropriate disposal location.

Does a marine mammal or sea turtle carcass need to be sunk once it has been transported to the disposal location?

The decision of releasing or sinking a carcass at the disposal location will be situationally dependent and is based upon a number of factors. If there is significant potential for undesirable outcomes (e.g., creating a hazard to navigation or washing back to shore) to arise from the release of a floating carcass, EPA may recommend sinking the carcass. 

What type of materials can be used to sink a marine mammal or sea turtle carcass?

When considering your options for materials, please be aware that (1) materials described in 40 CFR Section 227.5 and 227.6 may not be used, and (2) materials should not have external features extending away or outward such that there is a snagging hazard to trawl line, nets or anchors. Please contact the appropriate EPA Regional contact as soon as possible prior to ocean disposal for either their assistance in identifying appropriate materials or their approval of materials that you have identified.

Do I need to send a report to EPA if I dispose of marine mammal or sea turtle carcasses in ocean waters?

Yes. The permittee must submit a report on the ocean disposal activities authorized by this general permit to the applicable EPA Regional Office within 30 days after carcass disposal. Different reporting requirements apply under Section B for Alaska Natives. Information that needs to be included in the report is described in the general permit. Permittees (government entities and Stranding Agreement Holders) may use the Section A Reporting Form (pdf) to submit reports to the applicable EPA Regional Office.

Who can I contact for more information on Section A of the Permit?

For more questions about ocean disposal of marine mammal or sea turtle carcasses, please contact the appropriate EPA Regional contact. For NOAA please contact the appropriate Marine Mammal Stranding Network Coordinator or member of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network associated with your location. For the U. S. Coast Guard, please contact the appropriate District Command Center.  

Questions regarding Section B of the permit (requirements for any Alaska Native, who already may take a marine mammal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act)

Does this general permit require the disposal of marine mammal carcasses in ocean waters?

The general permit does not require disposal in ocean waters; it merely authorizes ocean disposal when there is a need for such disposal.

Do I need to obtain approval from EPA on the selection of a disposal location if I dispose of marine mammal carcasses in ocean waters?

No. Any Alaska Native engaged in subsistence uses of marine mammals may transport a carcass to a site offshore where, based on available information, which may include local or traditional knowledge, currents and winds are not expected to return the carcass to shore and the carcass is not expected to pose a hazard to navigation.

Do I need to send a report to EPA if I dispose of marine mammal carcasses in ocean waters?

Yes. The permittee must submit a report on all disposal activities authorized by this general permit that the permittee has conducted in the prior calendar year. Reports must be submitted to the EPA’s Region 10 within 30 days of the end of the calendar year. Information that needs to be included in the report is described in the general permit. Permittees (Alaska Natives, who already may take a marine mammal under the MMPA and ESA) may use the Section B Reporting Form (pdf) to submit a report to the EPA’s Region 10.

Who can I contact for more information on Section B of the permit (requirements for any Alaska Native, who already may take a marine mammal under the MMPA and ESA)?

Bridgette Lohrman
Environmental Protection Agency – Region 10 Wetlands and Oceans Section
Oregon Operations Office
805 SW Broadway, Suite 500
Portland, Oregon
Phone: 503-326-4006
Email: lohrman.bridgette@epa.gov.

Questions regarding Section C of the permit (requirements for members of the Makah Indian Tribe, who already may take a marine mammal under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act)

Does this general permit require the disposal of marine mammal carcasses in ocean waters?

The general permit does not require disposal in ocean waters; it merely authorizes ocean disposal when there is a need for such disposal. If the risk of human contact with a beached carcass is very low, it may be unnecessary to disturb the carcass at all. Under other circumstances, land-based disposal may be more expeditious than disposal at sea.

Do I need to obtain approval from EPA on the selection of a disposal location if I dispose of marine mammal carcasses in ocean waters?

Yes. To expedite receiving concurrence on the selection of a disposal location, members of the Makah Indian Tribe engaged in subsistence harvest of marine mammals should contact the EPA’s Region 10 Office as soon as possible. EPA may have already identified acceptable ocean disposal locations for marine mammal close to the location of the carcass(es), or EPA can help you identify an appropriate disposal location.

Do I need to send a report to EPA if I dispose of marine mammal carcasses in ocean waters?

Yes. The permittee must submit a report on the ocean disposal activities authorized by this general permit to EPA’s Region 10 Office within 30 days after carcass disposal. Information that needs to be included in the report is described in Section C of the general permit. Permittees may use the Section C Reporting Form (pdf) to submit reports to EPA’s Region 10 Office.

Who can I contact for more information on Section C of the permit (requirements for members of the Makah Indian Tribe, who already may take a marine mammal under the MMPA and ESA)?

Bridgette Lohrman
Environmental Protection Agency – Region 10 Wetlands and Oceans Section
Oregon Operations Office
805 SW Broadway, Suite 500
Portland, Oregon
Phone: 503-326-4006
Email: lohrman.bridgette@epa.gov.