For about 1 penny per American per year, the Marine Mammal Commission has met its Congressional mandate to conserve marine mammals for almost 50 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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A Year in Review: the Commission's 2021 Annual Report |
The Marine Mammal Commission is proud to release our 2021 Annual Report, highlighting our work and accomplishments in the previous calendar year. The Commission has published this yearly report to Congress since its inception in 1974. Within this edition, you will find information on our work to provide legal and policy oversight, engage local communities and stakeholders on marine mammal issues, and more. This annual report was designed primarily for electronic distribution and use, directing the reader to relevant sections of our website for additional information. To view Annual Reports from previous years, visit our website. |
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Celebrating 50 Years of Ocean and Coastal Conservation |
As we announced earlier this month, 2022 marks the 50 th anniversary of a set of powerful laws that helped form the foundation for the nation’s marine stewardship: the Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Marine Sanctuaries Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, and the Clean Water Act. The Marine Mammal Commission is working with partners at NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to celebrate these Acts and highlight their accomplishments over the past fifty years.
Things looked a lot different fifty years ago than they do today. Many marine mammals had been hunted to the brink of extinction, there was intense pressure to develop the nation’s shores for a variety of industrial, residential, and recreational uses, and the federal government lacked a comprehensive authority and mandate for underwater parks. To learn more about the past, present, and future of the nation’s marine mammals, coasts, and underwater parks, including national marine sanctuaries, marine national monuments, and national estuarine research reserves, please visit the new story map and the 50 Years of Ocean and Coastal Conservation website. |
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Welcoming our 2022 NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Fellow |
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The Commission is excited to host and welcome (virtually for now) Hannah Wellman for the 2022 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship. She earned her B.A. from Tufts University in archaeology, and afterwards worked with archaeological marine mammal remains at the National Museum of Natural History in D.C. Pursuing her interests in archaeology and historical ecology, she completed her M.S. and Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Oregon, where she studied ancestral tribal use of sea otters and cetaceans. She also pursued studies investigating pre-extirpation Oregon sea otter genetics and diet using ancient DNA and isotope analyses. Hannah is particularly interested in human-animal/human-environment interactions, and her dissertation research centered on understanding past environments and human-animal relationships to inform present day conservation concerns. Throughout her graduate education Hannah also focused on building her science communication and outreach skills. Hannah is excited to spend her Knauss Fellowship year gaining policy experience in support of marine mammal conservation.
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Hot Topics in Marine Mammal Conservation:
Protected Species Observer Data
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Protected species observers (PSOs) are utilized by several industries in the United States to help monitor and mitigate threats to protected species, including marine mammals, sea turtles, and some fish species, during anthropogenic activities and to help ensure industry compliance with the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. As part of this important work, PSOs regularly collect large amounts of data. While data collection is required, these data are rarely used in scientific studies, despite having the potential to enhance our understanding of species distribution, the effectiveness of mitigation measures, and the effects of industrial activities on these species. |
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The Marine Mammal Commission is pleased to have provided FY20 grant funds to support an ongoing New England Aquarium and NOAA Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office project on the use of PSO data. The project seeks to compare PSO data collected during site assessment activities in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island wind energy areas to line-transect data from aerial surveys conducted in the same southern New England areas. Through this comparison, the project team hopes to provide recommendations about how PSO data can be collected and standardized to provide the greatest value to protected species conservation and management. Look for future updates from the team as the project continues to progress!
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Protected Species Observer using Big Eye Binoculars, Credit: Laura Morse |
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The Commission Updates its Tribal Consultation Action Plan |
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The Commission's Tribal Consultation Action Plan can be found here.
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The Marine Mammal Commission has a long history of engagement with Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs) and Tribes on marine mammal issues in Alaska. In large part, this stems from the provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act that recognize and protect traditional uses of marine mammals by Alaska Natives for subsistence and the creation of handicrafts. Outside of Alaska, the treaty rights of the Makah Tribe in Washington expressly reserve hunting rights specific to marine mammals. In response to a 2021 Presidential Memorandum under Executive Order 13175, the Commission recently reviewed and updated its 2010 Action Plan regarding Consultation and Coordination with Tribal Governments. The Commission coordinated its review of the plan in Alaska through the Indigenous People’s Council for Marine Mammals (IPCoMM), a consortium of Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs) focused on marine mammal issues. In addition to consulting with the IPCoMM Board of Directors, the Commission sent the plan to 22 ANOs, Alaska Tribal villages, and Alaska regional organizations for review and comment. The Commission also sent the action plan to and consulted with the Makah Tribe. The Commission welcomes the care taken to review the action plan and has made revisions in response to comments received. A copy of the revised action plan, which specifies how the Commission will implement the policies and directives of Executive Order 13175, is available here.
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Reminder: Commission Accepting Research Proposals for Funding |
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The Commission announced a request for proposals for projects focused on climate change effects on marine mammals in Fall of 2021. We are specifically interested in projects that further our understanding of how climate change affects, either directly or indirectly, the reproductive performance, survivorship, abundance, or vital rates of marine mammals. The Commission is also accepting proposals that advance science-based conservation interventions or management strategies to mitigate climate-change induced threats to marine mammals. Ideally, such approaches should be transferable across species and/or locations.
This funding opportunity remains open until April 13, 2022. Additional details can be found on the Commissions website.
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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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Commission Scientific Advisor and NOAA scientist, Patricia Rosel photographs the Rice's whale skeleton. |
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