Highlights of IMMP’s 2022 Accomplishments Made Possible By Your Support
By Mark J. Palmer
In 2022, the International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute celebrated our 40th anniversary and four decades of achievements for marine mammals. Here are some of the highlights of the year:
New Report on Plastics and Marine Mammals: IMMP produced and released a compelling report, The Plastics Plague: Marine Mammals and Our Oceans in Peril, providing the latest scientific research and bold solutions to reduce marine plastic pollution and its devastating impacts on marine mammals. The report has been shared with key members of Congress, the International Whaling Commission, and the US Marine Mammal Commission.
IMMP’s Dolphin-Safe Tuna Monitoring Program: Our program to protect dolphins grew to 858 tuna companies in 76 countries, now saving more than 90,000 dolphins yearly from deaths in tuna nets. IMMP continued to pressure companies in Europe, the US, and Mexico that still catch tuna by setting nets on dolphins.
Saving the Rare Irrawaddy Dolphin: IMMP’s Philippines office prepared and presented a legal petition to the government, endorsed by 50+ organizations, to list Irrawaddy dolphins as critically endangered and to establish a reserve to prevent destructive impacts from boat traffic and fishing nets. Only three small populations of Irrawaddy dolphins are found in the Philippines.
Three orcas. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Support for Ending Cetacean Captivity: IMMP promoted and endorsed Congressional legislation to phase out captivity in the US for orcas, belugas, pilot whales, and false killer whales, securing co-sponsors among members of Congress. The legislation failed to move in the current Congress, but we expect it will be reintroduced in January.
No to Offshore Oil Drilling: IMMP was in Washington D.C. opposing Sen. Joe Manchin’s proposed amendments mandating more oil leasing and drilling on public lands and waters by undermining and setting unrealistic deadlines for environmental review. So far, Congress has rejected the Manchin amendments four times, thanks to huge grassroots opposition. IMMP expanded efforts to end offshore oil drilling, promoting green energy alternatives.
Ending Iceland’s Commercial Whaling: IMMP launched an international campaign with Oceanic Preservation Society to convince Iceland’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to end Iceland’s commercial whaling. IMMP drafted a sign-on letter for environmental and animal welfare organizations, as well as directing grassroots letters to the Iceland Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to stop issuing whaling permits.
Seeking Health Records for SeaWorld’s Captive Orcas: IMMP filed a new legal motion against SeaWorld, seeking health and welfare records for SeaWorld’s captive orcas.
Ending Entangling Drift Gillnets to Protect Whales: Legislation supported by Earth Island’s Shark Stewards and IMMP has been added to the Congressional omnibus legislation, expected to pass Congress later this week. The bill phases out the drift gillnet fishery for sharks and swordfish, while providing incentives for use of alternate gear that does not harm marine mammals.
Orcas are the biggest of the dolphin family. This large male is with a pod hunting marine mammals in California's Monterey Bay. Photo Credit: Mark J. Palmer/IMMP
Progress Against Plastic Polluters: IMMP’s landmark lawsuit, filed by Earth Island Institute against ten major plastic-producing companies, whose products wind up as trash on California beaches, continues to proceed, albeit slowly. A judge dismissed an effort to throw out the lawsuit and further determined the case could continue under California state jurisdiction, where pollution laws are stronger than in other states.
No More Desert Dolphins? After years of work by grassroots activists in Las Vegas, IMMP, and other organizations, the Mirage Hotel (newly owned by the Hard Rock Hotel chain) announced the permanent closure of the “Dolphin Habitat,” a set of pools holding captive bottlenose dolphins without shade in the Nevada desert. It is still not clear at this time where the seven remaining dolphins will go, but at least they will no longer be subject to the desert sun. And, other captivity news, Japan’s Shinagawa Aquarium announced they would close down their performing dolphin tanks, citing opposition to captivity.
Congress Helps Marine Mammals and Sharks: In the waning days of Congress this December, several major provisions have been added to protect the oceans, including language to improve monitoring of ocean noise, prevention of ships strikes on whales, a long overdue ban on buying and selling shark fins, and reauthorization of the US stranding program to help rehabilitate and release stranded and entangled marine mammals.
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This holiday season, please remember dolphins and whales! Your donation will help safeguard them and their ocean habitats. Thank you for caring and giving generously.
