For about 1 penny per American per year, the Marine Mammal Commission has met its Congressional mandate to conserve marine mammals for over 40 years.
We work to ensure that marine mammal populations are restored and maintained as functioning elements of healthy marine ecosystems in the world's oceans.
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Thank you for your continued support!
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We are committed to our mission under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and continue to work tirelessly on the responsible management of our shared marine resources. In the Federal Budget for fiscal year 2018, passed by Congress on March 23, the Marine Mammal Commission was funded at the levels of FY16 and FY17. The Commission appreciates the support received for the work that we have carried out over the past four decades. See our
Chairman’s message for more details about the Commission’s status in the proposed budget for FY2019.
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The Marine Mammal Commission welcomes new Scientific Program Director
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We are excited to announce
Dr. Samantha E. Simmons as the Marine Mammal Commission’s new Scientific Program Director. In February, Dr. Simmons moved from her previous role as the Assistant Scientific Program Director, which she had occupied since 2009, into her new position. Dr. Simmons earned an M.S. in marine science and then a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California Santa Cruz, where her research focused on the behavior of seals and sea lions in relation to oceanography. Dr. Simmons replaces Dr. Dennis Heinemann, who has transitioned into the role of Senior Adviser for Fisheries Policy & Ecology. As Scientific Program Director, Dr. Simmons will continue to coordinate the Commission's use of the best available science in policy decisions and oversee the Commission’s research grant program. Sam is particularly interested in working with other Federal agencies and stakeholders to improve the science behind marine mammal stock assessments as required by Section 117 of the
Marine Mammal Protection Act and integrating emerging scientific methods and technologies into effective research and management of marine mammals.
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Dr. Samantha E. Simmons attaching a satellite tag to a male elephant seal (NMFS Permit #87-1743).
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Alaska Marine Mammal Co-Management Review Moves Forward
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In mid-March, the Steering Committee for the Commission’s
co-management review
met in Anchorage, AK, led by Dr. Jenna Malek and Vicki Cornish. During the two-day meeting, the Committee mapped out the elements of the review, including drafting a working definition of co-management (within the scope of MMPA Sec. 119), selecting co-management organizations for in-depth case studies, and identifying communities to visit to conduct focus groups and interviews in support of those case studies. The selected case studies include: the
Eskimo Walrus Commission
(EWC), the
Aleut Community of St. Paul Island
, and the
Aleut Marine Mammal Commission
(AMMC). The review will also look more broadly at the
Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission
(AEWC), and incorporate lessons learned from other co-management agreements. Jenna will be traveling to
Utqiaġvik (Barrow), Nome, Gambell, Savoonga, St. Paul, Atka, and Akutan
between May and September to meet with hunters and Alaska Native Organization members. She will also meet with Federal agency representatives in Anchorage and Seattle, WA. Updates on meeting agendas, trip schedules, and more will be posted on the project web page.
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Steering Committee members, from left to right: Jon Kurland (NMFS Alaska Regional Office), Vera Metcalf (EWC), Billy Adams (North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management; Ice Seal Committee Chairman), Lauren Divine (Ecosystem Conservation Office, Aleut Community of St. Paul Island), Jenna Malek (Marine Mammal Commission), Vicki Cornish (Marine Mammal Commission), Taqulik Hepa (North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management; IPCoMM Vice-Chair), and Patrick Lemons (FWS Alaska Region). Not pictured: Peggy Osterback (AMMC; IPCoMM Secretary/Treasurer).
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The Marine Mammal Commission’s 2018
Annual Meeting: Seattle, Washington
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Each year, the Marine Mammal Commission holds its annual meeting in a different region of the country to examine regional issues, as well as priority topics at the national and global levels. Mark your calendars and save the date to attend the
Marine Mammal Commission’s Annual Meeting of 2018 from May 29-31 in Seattle, Washington. At our annual meeting, which is open to the public, we will engage with other federal agencies, stakeholders, and interested members of the public on the science, policy, and management issues related to the Pacific Northwest. Some topics on the draft agenda include management issues facing Southern Resident Killer Whales, West Coast large whale entanglements, and recovering marine mammal populations. The official agenda of the meeting and details on the meeting venue will be available soon on our website.
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International Affairs Update
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Hot Topics in Marine Mammal Conservation: North Atlantic right whales and the research and development
of ropeless fishing technology
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North Atlantic right whale. Photo Credit: New England Aquarium. Photo taken under a Scientific Research Permit issued by NOAA.
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Bycatch in fishing gear remains the number one direct cause of marine mammal injury and death, and continues to be a major focus of the Commission’s activities. Entanglement in fishing gear is the leading cause of injury and mortality for the endangered
North Atlantic right whale. Even if entanglement does not result in death, it has been found to lead to long-term health declines. Only about 100 breeding females remain in this population of nearly 450 whales and there has been a decline in their calving rates. Failure of annual survey efforts to find
any right whale mothers with calves in their traditional calving areas off Georgia and Florida in winter 2018 has heightened concerns over the status of the species. In February, several representatives from the Commission joined over 90 participants in a workshop entitled “Overcoming Development, Regulatory and Funding Challenges for Ropeless Fishing to Reduce Whale Entanglement in the U.S. and Canada” hosted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the New England Aquarium. Information on the workshop and the newly established Ropeless Consortium can be found
here. The Commission’s research grant program provided seed funding in
2016 for some of the ropeless fishing gear innovations discussed at the workshop. These and other gear innovations were discussed in April 2017 at the
Commission’s Annual Meeting. Since that meeting, the Commission has called for
NMFS to explore all avenues to reduce or eliminate entangling vertical lines in the water column.
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Marine Mammal Commission scientific advisors, staff, and science in the news
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In addition to its three Commissioners, our nine-member Committee of Scientific Advisors (CSA) on Marine Mammals “knowledgeable in marine ecology and marine mammal affairs” and a Special Advisor on Native Affairs assist the Commission in its scientific and policy work and assist in reviews of proposals received for funding by our research program. A few recent media highlights reflect some of the ongoing scientific accomplishments of these world-renowned marine mammal scientists.
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Photo from BBC Blue Planet II Video Extra - "Behind the Scenes: Dolphins and Plastic"
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Smithsonian Mystery: International Conference on the Biology of Whales in Virginia in 1971 (NOAA)
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