Report Violations, Incidents, or Observations
Having extra eyes on the water can help law enforcement, aid in the rescue of distressed people or wildlife, and even support research on rare and unusual marine events. It is always best when the individual witnessing an incident makes the phone call directly, so that the agency receiving the report can get first hand answers to any follow-up questions they may have.
Note: Boaters in distress should call the U.S. Coast Guard for help on VHF Channel 16.
Report Violations
Report violations of sanctuary regulations and other fish, wildlife, boating and environmental laws with any of the following methods:
- Call 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).
- Dial *FWC or #FWC from a cell phone.
- Send a message to Tip@MyFWC.com
- Submit an online report.
Report harassment of marine mammals (dolphins, whales, manatees, etc) to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement at 1-800-853-1964.
Report other Florida environmental crimes with any of the following methods:
- Call Florida DEP's 24-hour State Warning Point hotline: 1-877-272-8335.
- Dial #DEP from a cell phone.
Report Incidents in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Oil, fuel or hazardous material spills: Call the 24-hour National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
Missing, damaged, or found waterway markers:
- FKNMS markers (Sanctuary Preservation Area, Wildlife Management Area, Ecological Reserve, or Research Only Area buoys), call 305-852-7717.
- FWC waterway markers in state waters, call 1-866-405-BUOY (1-866-405-2869).
- All other waterway markers, report online to USCG Navigation Center.
Suspected algal blooms or discolored water: Call Mote Marine Lab's C-OCEAN program at 305-395-8730 or file an online report.
Fish kills: Call FWC on 1-800-636-0511 or submit an online report. Learn more about Fish Kills.
Check Red Tide status information: View status of red tide events online, or call for red tide status from within Florida 1-866-300-9399, from outside of Florida 727-552-2448.
Injured or Nuisance Wildlife
Alligators: (Nuisance) Call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (1-866-392-4286). Learn more about Nuisance Alligators.
Bird Die Offs: Report wild bird die offs on FWC's website.
Birds: (Sick or Injured) Call one of the following:
- Florida Keys Wildlife Rescue at 305-872-1982
- Key West Wildlife Center at 305-292-1008
- Marathon Wild Bird Center at 305-743-8382
- Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center at 305-852-4486.
Coral Bleaching: Submit an online report to Mote.org/bleachwatch.
Dolphins: (Sick, Entangled, or Dead) Call 1-877-942-5343 or use the Dolphin and Whale 911 app.
Exotic/Invasive Fish: Report catch or sightings of exotic and potentially invasive marine fish, with photos and GPS points, if possible, at REEF's website.
Fish Kills: Call FWC on 1-800-636-0511 or submit an online report. Learn more about Fish Kills.
Manatees: (Sick, Injured, Entangled, or Dead) Call FWC Wildlife Alert Program at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922). From a cell phone, you can dial *FWC or #FWC. Learn more.
Pythons or Constrictors: (Invasive) Call FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline at 1-888-IVE-GOT1 (1-888-483-4681).
Sea Turtles: (Sick, Injured, Entangled, or Dead) Call Marathon Sea Turtle Hospital at 305-743-2552 or the FWC Wildlife Alert Program at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).
Whales: (Stranded, Injured, Entangled, or Dead) Call 1-877-942-5343 or use the Dolphin and Whale 911 app.
Other Injured or Orphaned Wildlife: Find local wildlife rehabilitators around the state of Florida, by county, with this FWC list.
Species Observations
Be a citizen scientist! Remember, photographs and GPS points are extremely valuable for helping scientists verify sightings.
Exotic/Invasive Fish: Report catch or sightings of exotic and potentially invasive marine fish, with photos and GPS points, if possible, at REEF's website.
Tagged Fish: Call FWC's Angler Tag Return hotline on 1-800-367-4661 or email tagreturn@MyFWC.com.
Horseshoe Crab: (Nesting Activity) Call 1-866-252-9326 or submit a horseshoe crab spawning beach survey.
Right Whale Sightings: Keep a distance of 500 yards or more from the right whale, record GPS position, slow vessel, and call 1-888-97-WHALE (1-888-979-4253) or FWC's Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).
Smalltooth Sawfish: Release if caught and report catch or sightings on FWC's website.