Save the Marine Mammal Protection Act

The landmark law that has saved whales, dolphins, sea otters, and seals for over 50 years is now in need of saving.

Congress wants to take a sledgehammer to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and push whales, dolphins, and other wildlife to the brink of extinction.

From their role as sports team mascots and cinematic legends to the millions of dollars spent on whale watching each year, it’s clear: Americans love marine mammals. In fact, the MMPA passed over 50 years ago with broad bipartisan support due in part to a wave of public outcry. At that time, more than 400,000 dolphins were being killed in Pacific tuna nets, and the commercial whaling industry was still slaughtering whales at an industrial scale. But since the enactment of the MMPA, no marine mammal has gone extinct in U.S. waters.

To continue this track record of success, the MMPA must be fully intact. But the proposed bill undermines three of the MMPA’s keystone principles: a broad prohibition on actions that harm marine mammals and their habitat; reducing bycatch of marine mammals in fisheries; and using science-based management to recover populations to healthy levels. Marine mammals need us now. Sign the petition today to help protect whales, dolphins, otters, and other marine mammals at risk of extinction.