Every pinniped (seal and sea lion) is released from CWC outfitted with an orange flipper tag. These tags are not satellite trackers, and thus require direct observation and reporting to be effective. For decades, a challenge existed – there was no centralized database to catalog sightings. This challenge no longer exists! In the rehab field, when there is no pathway – we create a solution.

Supported by a John H. Prescott NOAA grant, the first collaborative database to track sightings of pinnipeds “wearing” an orange flipper tag, was born. Working with a local programmer and collaborating with the stranding network partners for desired functionality, the formerly splintered post release movement and survivorship information is now coming together.

To date, 3,900 sightings representing 700 unique seals and sea lions have been entered in the flippertags.info database. Historically, all datasets were gathered by each marine mammal rehabilitation center independently. Then the Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance began effort-based surveys, bringing trends to light on seasonal location preferences. An exciting development is the increase in entries from community members. People notice these magnificent ocean sentinels and now can share their observations and contribute to the database. Contributors are provided with release information for the resighted animal, the newest functionality.