Dolphins are washing up on South Carolina’s beaches, and most die without anyone ever knowing why.

In just one week this November, two dead dolphins were found along the coast, one in North Myrtle Beach and one in Hilton Head Island. Necropsies revealed a severe parasite load in one and signs of pneumonia in the other. Neither case involved human interaction, but both point to deeper problems that often go undetected in our marine environment.

South Carolina’s coast is home to vibrant dolphin populations that are facing increasing threats from disease, pollution, and environmental stress. Right now, much of the response to stranded or dead dolphins is carried out by nonprofit organizations like the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, which rely heavily on volunteers and limited donations.

We are calling on the South Carolina Legislature and Governor Henry McMaster to support and fund a statewide Marine Mammal Stranding Response Program. This program should include:

• Dedicated funding for dolphin rescue and necropsy work
• Resources for rapid response teams across the coast
• Centralized reporting and data collection
• Public education about how to respond to stranded marine mammals

Every stranding is a chance to learn about what is happening to our oceans, whether it is rising disease rates, environmental toxins, or changing food availability. But without a coordinated, well-funded response system, these opportunities are lost.

Dolphins are more than just icons of the sea. They are indicators of ocean health, and what affects them often affects us. Tracking why dolphins die can also help detect water quality issues, harmful algal blooms, or ecosystem imbalances that may pose wider risks.

With tourism and coastal development on the rise, South Carolina must act now to protect its marine wildlife and invest in long-term monitoring.

Please sign this petition to urge the South Carolina Legislature to fund a statewide marine mammal stranding response program. Let us make sure no dolphin dies without its story being told, and without giving us the chance to protect others.

Photo Credit: The Independent