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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Commission Announces Recipients of FY20 Research Grants
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Pair of vaquitas in Northern Gulf of California (Photo Credit: Todd Pusser).
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This fiscal year (FY20) the Commission requested research proposals that would 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. We were especially interested in projects addressing human impacts on marine mammals and their ecosystems, or those proposing research with clear management applications.
We are pleased to announce the six projects, totaling over $180,000, selected for funding:
- Mortality reduction of vaquita, Phocoena sinus, through removal of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear and deterrence of illegal fishing in the Vaquita Protection Refuge
- Resource user outreach on Molokai for cooperative conservation and long-term management of Hawaiian monk seals
- Evaluating the efficacy of broad-scale ship speed restrictions for reducing large whale mortalities in the U.S. East Coast EEZ
- Evaluating the utility of Protected Species Observer data to address cetacean management and conservation
- Systematic analysis of injuries sustained by rorquals (humpback, fin, and minke whales) from documented entanglements off the U.S. East Coast
- Protecting the sentinels of the Peruvian Sea: Electronic monitoring and mitigation measures to reduce cetacean bycatch in the most important fishery of Peru
For more information, visit our
2020 Grant Awards
webpage and check back in November for information about next year's request for proposals.
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Survey of Federally Funded Research: FY19 Results are in
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This spring the Commission announced the launch of its new and improved
Survey of Federally Funded Marine Mammal Research
. 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, to illuminate areas of strength in federal research investment, and to inform recommendations on needed agency actions and budget priorities.
The fiscal-year 2019
results summary
is now available on our website, and the Commission thanks all participating federal agencies for providing their information. Requests for additional information or details about federal marine mammal research and funding reported in FY 2019 can be made by contacting the Commission at
surveyffr@mmc.gov
. The fiscal-year 2020 data call will begin in November 2020.
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Supporting Ocean Policy Conversations at Virtual CHOW!
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The Commission was pleased to support ocean conservation conversations at the national level during the first virtual Capitol Hill Oceans Week, hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The Commission was thrilled to sponsor a session titled “Margaret Davidson Emerging Leaders: New Perspective on Conserving Nature,” highlighting potential solutions to biodiversity loss, supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields, and calling for data integration across disciplines. Executive Director Peter Thomas and Representatives Raul Grijalva and Joe Cunningham provided introductory remarks to the session. Video recordings of the plenaries and sessions can be viewed
here
.
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Spotlight on the Commission's Oversight Role
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See links below to some of the Commission's recommendations, like the
27 July 2020 comment letter
regarding
the
supplement to Vineyard Wind Offshore Energy Project draft environmental impact statement (Photo Credit: Department of Energy).
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The Commission
provides science-based oversight of domestic and international policies and actions of federal agencies, reviewing proposed actions and providing recommendations to minimize their impacts on marine mammals and their environment. The Commission drafts and submits over one hundred recommendation letters every year, each of which is posted to our
website
along with responses from recipients when available. Check out some of our recommendation letters from the past few months, spanning the topics of marine mammal strandings, construction, fisheries management, military testing, and offshore wind:
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The Commission's Website is a Resource for all!
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Did you know that the Commission's website has over 130 pages for you to explore!?
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The Marine Mammal Commission’s website,
www.mmc.gov
,
was visited by over 80,000 users in the past year. Whether you are a teacher or young scientist looking for educational or career resources or a citizen looking for up-to-date information on species of concern like the North Atlantic right whale, our website has something for you.
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Marine Mammal Commission
Staff, Scientific Advisors, and Commissioners 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 Mediterranean monk seals in Cabo Blanco, Mauritania/Morocco (Photo Credit: M. Haya, CBD-Habitat).
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