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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The Commission Announces Fiscal Year 2021 Grant Program!
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The Marine Mammal Commission announces a request for proposals for projects that will further the conservation and management goals of the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and assist the Commission in fulfilling its duties under the MMPA. Projects addressing human impacts on marine mammals and their ecosystems, or proposing research with clear management applications, are highly encouraged. All projects must include an outreach, communication, or engagement component. Additional weight will be given to proposals that: 1) focus on species or population(s) of conservation concern, or 2) increase the inclusion or representation of people from underrepresented groups in marine mammal research, management, or conservation. The Commission will be accepting research proposals until April 15, 2021. For more information, visit our website.
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New Population Estimate Underscores Urgency
Facing Right Whale Management
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The ongoing North Atlantic Right Whale Unusual Mortality Event remains active with five whales confirmed to have died or been seriously injured in U.S. waters during 2020. Three right whales were seen entangled in fishing gear, two of which were first seen in October, and two calves were struck by vessels. These five cases, along with any additional undocumented mortalities or serious injuries, contributed to the continued decline of the population. The recent preliminary population estimate released by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium in November and to be finalized in January 2021, puts the population at 356 whales alive at the end of 2019. This estimate does not include the deaths or births in 2020.
The Commission remains committed to protecting and conserving this iconic species. In addition to serving as a member of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, the Commission engaged on this issue on multiple occasions in the past few months by:
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supporting research through our FY20 Grants program aimed at addressing threats facing North Atlantic right whales, and
- briefing Congressional offices on North Atlantic right whale issues, budget needs, and developments.
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Commission Submits Recommendations on
USCG Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study
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The Commission has provided detailed comments and recommended routing measures to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) on its Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study. With accelerating loss of seasonal sea ice in the Arctic, the USCG is seeking input on routing measures that would minimize impacts of increased shipping on marine mammals and the Alaska Native communities that depend on marine mammals and the marine ecosystem for food security. In preparing its comments, the Commission analyzed best available scientific information on marine mammal distributions and seasonal movements in the U.S. Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, based on data from aerial surveys and passive acoustic monitoring as well as tagging and telemetry data. The Commission worked with biologists at NMFS and Duke University to generate month-by-month maps of the occurrence of walruses, belugas, and several species of large whales in Alaskan Arctic waters. Based on its analyses, the Commission identified coastal and offshore areas that should be avoided and preferred and alternate routes for vessels traveling between the Bering Strait and the Canadian Arctic. The Commission’s letter included recommendations on additional measures to minimize disturbance of marine mammals and to help ensure continued access to marine mammals by Alaska Native communities. The Commission’s letter and associated maps can be found on the Commission’s website.
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Welcome to our Scientific Program Officers!
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The Commission is delighted to announce the selection of Erin LaBrecque (left) and Dee Allen (right) for the two new Scientific Program Officer positions with the Commission. Dee has been with the Commission since 2014 as the Research Program Officer and we welcome Erin who will join the Commission on November 23rd. We are thrilled to have them both as part of the Commission team. Get to know our new Scientific Program Officers here.
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Additional Research Support with FY20 Grant Funds
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In a year in which COVID-19 travel restrictions and social distancing requirements limited the agency’s ability to host an Annual Meeting or conduct other professional travel, the Commission directed additional funds beyond the seven projects initially selected to support four additional small research grants. Partial funding of these projects will further the conservation and management goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and assist the Commission in fulfilling its duties under the MMPA. In all, the Commission funded 11 projects totaling almost $255,000. A list of the additional projects is below and for more information about all the funded projects, visit our FY2020 Grant Award page.
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- Best Management Practices for reducing ship strikes in the San Francisco Bay region
- Characterizing the occurrence of manatees in northwestern Cuba and their interaction with fisheries
- Creating momentum for integrated conservation measures for narrow-ridged finless porpoises
- A cooperative training workshop on seal-fisheries interactions for fishermen, scientists, marine mammal stranding network personnel and fisheries managers
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Call to Agencies for FY20 Data on Marine Mammal Research
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The call for fiscal year 2020 data for the Commission’s annual Survey of Federally Funded Marine Mammal Research opened on November 4th. This online survey and data repository aids the Commission in fulfilling its duties under the Marine Mammal Protection Act by helping to identify gaps or overlap in marine mammal research efforts or funding, illuminate areas of strength in federal research investment, and inform recommendations on needed agency actions and budget priorities. The fiscal year 2020 data call is open until December 11th. A summary of the fiscal year 2019 results is available here. The Commission thanks all participating federal agencies for providing their information.
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Marine Mammal Commission scientific advisors, staff, and science in the news
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Below are a few recent media highlights that reflect some of the ongoing scientific research, collaborations, and accomplishments of our world-renowned marine mammal scientists. For a reminder about our Commissioners, Committee of Scientific Advisors, and Staff, visit our website.
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A group of Commission staff gather while social distancing and wearing masks.
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