Time to modernize the marine mammal protection act iagc. Marine mammal protection act what is the marine mammal protection act. The marine mammal protection act mmpa was the first legislation to mandate an ecosystembased approach to marine resource management. Fish and wildlife service office of law enforcement 16. Directorgeneral to be notified of actions taken in respect of marine mammals. The congress finds that 1 certain species and population stocks of marine mammals are, or may be, in danger of extinction or depletion as a result of mans activities. Overview of the threats to polar bears the polar bear has been protected in the u. Under the mmpa, congress directed that the primary objective of marine mammal management should be to maintain the health and stability of the marine ecosystem and, when consistent with that primary objective.
Marine mammals protection regulations 1992 sr 1992322. This rule establishes conditions for evaluating a harvesting nations regulatory program to address incidental and measures to address intentional mortality and serious injury of marine mammals. The current status of many marine mammal populations is considerably better than in 1972. The marine mammal protection act mmpa or act prohibits, with certain exceptions, the take of marine mammals in u. In this act captive marine mammal means a marine mammal under human care and maintained in a captive marine mammal facility. All marine mammals are federally protected under the marine mammal protection act mmpa of 1972, through which congress declared marine mammals to be. Nowhere else in the world had a government made the conservation of healthy and stable ecosystems as important as the conservation of individual species. This rule establishes conditions for evaluating a harvesting nations regulatory program to address incidental and measures to address intentional mortality and serious injury of marine mammals in.
Protection and restoration of marine life in the inland. Determination of alaska native status under the marine mammal. Animal protection groups, and a growing number of scientists, counter that the lives of captive marine mammals are impoverished, people do not receive an accurate picture of a species from captive representatives, and the trade in live marine mammals negatively affects populations and habitats. Congress enacted the marine mammal protection act mmpa in 1972, due in part to the high level of dolphin mortality in the eastern tropical pacific tuna fishery estimated at more than 400,000 animals per year in the late 1960s. B in1 section 118 and title iv other than section 408. Marine mammal protection act page 3 of 56 7 the term marine mammal product means any item of merchandise which consists, or is composed in whole or in part, of any marine mammal. Marine mammal protection act the sierra club favors legislation to prohibit all hunting and harassment of marine mammals, with the exception of 1. For complete classification of this act to the code, see short title note set out under section 61 of this title and tables. Office of protected resources and the marine mammal protection act the marine mammal protection act of 1972 was enacted in response to increasing concerns among scientists and the public that significant declines in some species of marine mammals were caused by human activities. Increased populations of pinnipeds harbor seals and california sea lions, resulting from their protection by the marine mammal protection act, are considered a major stressor on pacific herring, and.
The mmpa prohibits, with certain exceptions, the take of marine mammals in u. This act may be cited as the marine mammal protection act. Reauthorization issues description this discusses a range of issues likely to be raised during any reauthorization debate, the reasons behind them, and possible proposals that could be offered to address these concerns. The importance of the marine mammal protection act of 1972. Fish and fish product import provisions of the marine. The marine mammal protection act defines a marine mammal stock as a group of individuals of the same species or smaller taxa in a common spatial arrangement that interbreed when mature. Marine mammal protection act mmpa or act prohibits, with certain exceptions, the take of marine mammals in u. In august 2016, nmfs published a final rule 81 fr 54390.
November 17, 2018 the marine mammal protection act mmpa or act prohibits, with certain exceptions, the take of marine mammals in u. Jul 27, 2017 in 1994, the act was amended to include annual reports of various marine mammal species populations found in u. Pursuant to section 28 of the marine mammals protection act 1978, her excellency the governorgeneral, acting by and with the advice and consent of the executive council, hereby makes the following regulations. This chapter may be cited as the marine mammal protection act 1990. Mmpa was signed into law on october 21, 1972, by president richard.
Us marine mammals marine mammal protection act animal. The marine mammal protection act mmpa was enacted on october 21, 1972. In addition, the mmpa regulates the import and export of all products made from marine mammals, such as ivory. Determination of alaska native status under the marine. The act prohibits, with certain exceptions, the take of marine mammals in u.
The mmpa regulatory definitions emphasizes 14 blood quantum as the primary criteria for identifying an alaska native. Marine mammal protection act of 1972 as amended 2007. Section 117 of the 1994 amendments to the marine mammal protection act mmpa requires that an annual stock assessment report sar for each stock of marine mammals that occurs in waters under usa jurisdiction, be prepared by the national marine fish. The marine mammal protection act mmpa was the first act of the united states congress to call specifically for an ecosystem approach to wildlife management. Marine mammal protection act agencies noaa office for. The regulation, the list of foreign fisheries, and a regional analysis of marine mammal bycatch lauren fields national marine fisheries service office of international affairs and seafood inspection program september 25, 2018. The marine mammal protection act mmpaprotects marine mammals and prohibits, with certain exceptions, the take of marine mammals in u. Assessing stocks gives us valuable information on marine mammal population trends, productivity rates, estimates of humancaused mortality and other. Marine mammals for public display under the marine mammal protection act to the agency on june 15, 2012. The marine mammal protection act mmpa was passed by congress in 1972 to protect marine mammals in our oceans and on our shores from harassment and harm. Must be issued and carry onboard a mmap certificate report marine mammal injury or mortality take an observer if requested. Dangerously near extinction or depletion, certain population stocks no longer maintain their role in the ecosystem.
Marine mammal protection act mmpa protects all marine mammals, including cetaceans whales, dolphins, and porpoises, pinnipeds seals and sea lions, sirenians manatees and dugongs, sea otters, and polar bears within the waters of the united states. A harvesting nation must demonstrate that all aquaculture operations, regardless of their classification, sited in marine mammal habitat or interacting with marine mammals, are prohibited from the intentional killing or serious injury of marine mammals in the course of aquaculture operations or have established procedures to reliably certify that exports of fish and fish products to the united states are not the product of an intentional killing or serious injury of a marine mammal. The congress finds that 1 certain species and population stocks of marine mammals are, or may be, in danger. An act to make provision for the protection of marine mammals. August 15, 2016 implementing the fish and fish product import provisions section 101a2 of the marine mammal protection act mmpa. Recognized threat to marine mammals and external petition pressure, marine mammal protection act mmpa provisions to prohibit fish imports from nations with unsustainable marine mammal bycatch, the secretary of the treasury shall ban the importation of commercial fish or fish product from fish which have been. Read3 1gund institute for ecological economics, university of vermont, burlington, vermont. On the atlantic outer continental shelf alone, current procedural requirements led to 1,221 days for noaa to make a. Fish and wildlife service office of law enforcement 16 usc 611407 marine mammal protection act page 3 of 56 7 the term marine mammal product means any item of merchandise which consists, or is composed in whole or in part, of any marine mammal. It recognizes the importance of marine mammals to the oceans and seeks to restore or maintain populations at healthy and productive levels. A looming giant for offshore permitting ryan steen stoel rives llp. Assent 2nd august, 2005 commencement 10th august, 2005 1.
It prohibits with certain exceptions the take of marine mammals in u. This final action implements the import provisions of the marine mammal protection act mmpa. Approach for marine mammal impact assessment in the. Navy training and testing activities in the hawaiisouthern california training and testing study area may 2019. Under the mmpa, congress directed that the primary objective of marine mammal management should be to maintain the health and stability of the marine ecosystem and, when consistent with that primary objective, to obtain and maintain optimum sustainable populations of marine mammals. The national marine fisheries service nmfs proposes to issue an amendment to scientific research permit no. The marine mammal protection act mmpa protects all marine mammals in u. Fletcher, bob, president, sportfishing association of california. Fish and wildlife service office of law enforcement.
The act established a national policy to prevent marine mammal. The government of the republic of the marshall islands recognizes that marine mammals are resources of international significance and that they should be protected to the extent feasible with sound policies of resour ce ma nag. Passed in 1972, the marine mammal protection act has two fundamental objectives. In 1994, the act was amended to include annual reports of various marine mammal species populations found in u. Fostering unjust captivity practices since 1972 stephanie dodson dougherty there is about as much educational benefit to be gained in stud. Marine mammal authorization program to engage in the lawful incidental taking of marine mammals in a category i or ii commercial fishery, an owner of a vessel. Fish and fish product import provisions of the marine mammal. Operators would have to apply for incidental take authorizations for their specific surveys. The marine mammal protection act of 1972 as amended 5 f indings and declaration of policy 16 u. Approach for marine mammal impact assessment in the atlantic. Marine mammal protection act page 4 of 56 fishery, the purpose of which is the conservation and management of that fishery and the management of issues relating to that fishery. The marine mammal protection act of 1972, referred to in text, is pub. The marine mammal protection act mmpa is the main regulatory vehicle that protects marine mammal species and their habitats in an effort to main sustainable populations. Marine mammal protection act 1972 this act states that certain species or populations of marine mammals including manatees, dolphins, and whales are or may be in danger of extinction or depletion as a result of human activities.
Sep 20, 2012 the marine mammal protection act of 1972, on october 21, 1972. It is administered by the department of conservation. Dunphydaly,3 caitlin campbell,4 michael jasny,5 and andrew j. Marine mammal protection marine mammal protection act policies, guidance, and regulations. The full text of the marine mammal protection act of 1972 as amended introduction section 2. Strategic framework for marine mammal restoration activities. The mmpa established a national policy to prevent marine mammal species and population stocks from declining beyond the point where they ceased to be significant functioning elements of the ecosystems of which they are a part. The department of commerce through the national marine fisheries service is charged with protecting whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and seal lions. Marine mammal protection act united states fish and. Marine mammals protection act 1978 no 80 as at 21 december. Marine mammals in the gulf of mexico gom inhabit a broad range of habitats, from offshore including the continental shelf to coastal waters and bays, sounds, and estuaries. Marine mammal protection act policies, guidance, and. The mmpa gives the secretary of commerce, working through the national oceanic and atmospheric administrations national marine. The environmental organisation project jonah gave the major impetus for the government to create the act.
If noaa fisheries does not take appropriate action within sixty days to cure the violations outlined in this notice letter, our organizations will file suit and pursue appropriate remedies. The marine mammals protection act 1978 is an act of parliament passed in new zealand in 1978. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives. Marine mammal protection act letter of authorization. Kurt, bioacoustics research program, cornell laboratory of ornithology. Goals of the marine mammal protection act mmpa to maintain the optimum sustainable population osp and ecosystem function of marine mammal stocks to restore depleted stocks to their optimum sustainable population levels to reduce mortality and serious injury bycatch of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing. Marine mammal protection act marine mammal commission.
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