Republicans Punt on Gutting Marine Mammal Protection Act
By Mark J. Palmer
After introducing a terrible piece of legislation to gut the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, on Tuesday, July 22nd, the Republican-controlled House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries took up the legislation and did…nothing.
Representative Nicholas Begich (R) of Alaska introduced legislation to remove many of the legal barriers to killing whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals.
His legislation starts out criticizing the MMPA, in which he falsely claims “this Act has, since its enactment and subsequent revisions, unduly and un-necessarily constrained government, tribes, and the regulated community as a result of the application by the Secretary of subjective factors, including the ‘precautionary principle’, when implementing this Act…”
In fact, the “precautionary principle” is a well-established, scientific management tool meant to protect species and ecosystems from collapse because of errors and unknowns in scientific harvesting proposals.
And what does Rep. Begich expect to replace the standard?
“…by striking ‘which will result in the maximum productivity’ and inserting ‘necessary to support the continued survival…’’’, according to his draft.
In other words, instead of protecting marine mammal populations at maximum healthy levels, Begich would only seek to maintain whales and dolphins and seals at levels that allow them to survive, and nothing more. That means a whole lot of marine mammals can disappear and still be compatible with the title “Marine Mammal Protection Act”, as in not much protection at all.
He would further remove language prohibiting activities that “have a potential to injure” or “have a potential to disturb,” and instead substitute activities that “disturb” or “injure” animals, which would weaken such protection.
So, on Tuesday, July 11th, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, a subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources, held a hearing on the Begich legislation. Several people testified, and Subcommittee members discussed the draft. And then they adjourned, setting aside the MMPA for some time in the future.
That future is a bit of a ways off – Speaker Mike Johnson, who leads the Republicans in the House of Representatives, announced adjournment of the House for the summer recess early, to avoid embarrassing legislation related to the Epstein scandal. The House will not be working until they come back to DC around September 1st.
On the positive side, Rep. Begich is reportedly worried about the opposition to his gutting of the MMPA from his own constituents in Alaska. Organizations have generated letters of protest about the bill. The Alaska office of the Center for Biological Diversity wrote an opinion piece for the Anchorage Daily News titled: “What does Rep. Nick Begich have against Alaska marine mammals?” Mr. Begich and other Republicans have a right to be worried. People love marine mammals.
The MMPA legislation will likely be back at some point, possibly by Rep. Begich or possibly in some other form, but we have a few months, so now is the time to take action to block passage.
The best way to do that is to ask your members of Congress to stop this ugly legislation!
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Your members of Congress need to hear from you!
Contact your House Representative and two Senators. Ask them to block any weakening amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) in Congress. The legislation is key to protection of wildlife throughout the United States.
Tell them in your own words why you support protection for humpback whales, sea otters, and other key species protected now by the MMPA and the ESA.
Urge them to vote no on these bills and to urge their fellow members of Congress to also vote no.
For information on contacting your two Senators in Washington DC, go here.
For information on contacting your member of the House of Representatives, go here.
(HINT: Most websites for each Representative and Senator will have a CONTACT page with information on how to contact them, usually including a form for emails.)
You can also call the Capitol Switchboard (1) 202-224-3121 and ask the operator to connect you with your Representative’s or Senator’s office.
Address Letters to:
Your Representative (Rep. John Doe)
House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Your Senator (Senator John Doe)
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Thank you for your support for our wildlife heritage! We will have more information as the legislation takes shape in Congress and heads to the House and Senate floor for votes.
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Marine mammals and endangered species need your help. They cannot talk to your members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, but you can speak for them. The International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute urges you to take action by contacting your Congressional representative and Senator. Your donations to IMMP will go to protect whales, dolphins, sea otters, seals and sea lions, and other species protected under the MMPA and ESA. Please donate today -- thank you for your support!
