VIDEO: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act
By Mark J. Palmer
It seems 2022 is a year for many celebrations. This year, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute. We will be reflecting on our 40 years dedicated to safeguarding whales, dolphins and their ocean homes.
2022 also marks the 50th anniversary of the most important marine mammal conservation law in our nation, or perhaps any nation: the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972.
For five decades, the MMPA has protected all marine mammals in U.S. waters, including whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions, polar bears, sea otters, and manatees.
The MMPA protects individual animals as well as entire populations by prohibiting human activities that “harass, hunt, capture or kill” any marine mammals or attempt to do so.
Scientists, environmental activists and legislators recognized the sentience and intelligence of marine mammals, and contributed to the passage of the MMPA in response to alarming declines in marine mammal populations.
Since that time, many species of marine mammals have begun to recover, such as the humpback and blue whale in US waters. This act has proven vital in preserving populations from depletion and extinction.
The oil and gas industry and the US Navy find the MMPA to be an inconvenience. The captivity industry regularly attempts to circumvent the MMPA restrictions. Over the years the MMPA has been weakened through amendments to the law by Congress members representing special interests and by dubious acts by administrations on behalf of private companies that stand to profit from a less robust MMPA
And yet the Act is still viable and still providing much needed protection to many species of marine mammals.
While we celebrate the many ways the MMPA helps whales and seals in 2022, IMMP and our coalition of conservation and animal welfare groups plan to leverage public support for marine mammals to push legislative improvements in the Act.
We will be posting more specific information on legislation in the upcoming months, and how you can help improve the MMPA, so be sure to check back regularly.
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The passage of the MMPA in 1972 was a major milestone in the protection of our aquatic cousins, but much more needs to be done. Can you help with a donation to the work of the International Marine Mammal Project? Your donations go to protect a range of marine mammals from harm. Thank you for your support.
