Who can euthanize a marine mammal in severe distress?
Section 109(h)(1) of the MMPA authorizes qualified Marine Mammal Stranding Network members (and government employees) to humanely euthanize non-endangered marine mammals in severe distress. Endangered marine mammals can only be euthanized by qualified stranding network members who have special permission granted directly from NOAA Fisheries or USFWS.
