Marine Mammal Protection | NOAA Fisheries

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ og: http://ogp.me/ns# rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# schema: http://schema.org/ sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema# "> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <style>/* @see https://github.com/aFarkas/lazysizes#broken-image-symbol */.js img.dam-image:not([src]) { visibility: hidden; }/* @see https://github.com/aFarkas/lazysizes#automatically-setting-the-sizes-attribute */.js img.lazyloaded[data-sizes=auto] { display: block; width: 100%; }/* Transition effect. */.js .dam-image, .js .lazyloading { opacity: 0; }.js .lazyloaded { opacity: 1; -webkit-transition: opacity 2000ms; transition: opacity 2000ms; }</style> <meta name="description" content="NOAA Fisheries works to help all marine mammals protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and other laws and policies." /> <meta name="keywords" content="Whales,Marine Mammal Protection Act,Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program,Marine Mammal Authorization Program" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/marine-mammal-protection" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="NOAA" /> <meta property="og:type" content="Topic" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/marine-mammal-protection" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Marine Mammal Protection" /> <meta property="og:description" content="NOAA Fisheries works to help all marine mammals protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and other laws and policies." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3//dam-migration/250x250-leopard-seal-noaa-opr.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/open-graph.jpg" /> <meta name="dcterms.title" content="Marine Mammal Protection | NOAA Fisheries" /> <meta name="dcterms.creator" content="NOAA Fisheries" /> <meta name="dcterms.subject" content="Marine Mammal Protection" /> <meta name="dcterms.description" content="NOAA Fisheries works to help all marine mammals protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and other laws and policies." /> <meta name="dcterms.contributor" content="Office of Communications" /> <meta name="dcterms.date" content="Tue, 08/06/2024 - 11:30" /> <meta name="dcterms.language" content="en" /> <meta name="dcterms.coverage" content="National" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Marine mammals are mammals that rely on the ocean to survive. They include whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, walruses, polar bears, sea otters, manatees, and dugongs. Some are fully aquatic, such as whales and dolphins. Others, such as seals and sea lions, spend most of their time in water but return to land or ice for activities such as resting or giving birth. Marine mammals are vital to the balance of marine ecosystems and are key indicators of the overall health of the ocean." /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@NOAAFisheries" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Marine Mammal Protection" /> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@NOAAFisheries" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3//dam-migration/250x250-leopard-seal-noaa-opr.jpg" /> <meta name="facebook-domain-verification" content="9ywy0d7q1zwxd9ajs6hh5cinjeg98h" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/custom/noaa_components/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <script>window.a2a_config=window.a2a_config||{};a2a_config.callbacks=[];a2a_config.overlays=[];a2a_config.templates={};</script> <title>Marine Mammal Protection | NOAA Fisheries</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/align.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/fieldgroup.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/container-inline.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/clearfix.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/details.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/hidden.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/item-list.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/js.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/nowrap.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/position-container.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/reset-appearance.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/resize.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/system-status-counter.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/system-status-report-counters.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/system-status-report-general-info.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/system/css/components/tablesort.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/misc/components/progress.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/views/css/views.module.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/addtoany/css/addtoany.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/extlink/css/extlink.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/custom/noaa_components/dest/style.css?snikw0" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.6.0/css/all.min.css" /> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/3946","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"gtm":{"tagId":null,"settings":{"data_layer":"dataLayer","include_environment":false},"tagIds":["GTM-M67WBF"]},"gtag":{"tagId":"","consentMode":false,"otherIds":[],"events":[],"additionalConfigInfo":[]},"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"eJxlj0F2AjEMQy-UmRyJpxA3LyWJje1hmJ6-acuiwEbP-tZCQs7OGEfE41g_lIeHxOzmConCwjfSf8SZm1cJdPdWxyVm3QRtfdhQmEujk6PEMuXVr_jE_Rn20PB1xB8Jg4HTmbvwoOEWz6z0BnnzDKe8JOXdZrnXgFWn2kVn87_fLKewiIsuLDR2SoJCc2u_bqTHU8gEiyMFO8ypxwSjcKu0W_zVtXPeGn0DDpp7kg","theme":"noaa_components","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":[],"lazy":{"lazysizes":{"lazyClass":"dam-image","loadedClass":"lazyloaded","loadingClass":"lazyloading","preloadClass":"lazypreload","errorClass":"lazyerror","autosizesClass":"lazyautosizes","srcAttr":"data-src","srcsetAttr":"data-srcset","sizesAttr":"data-sizes","minSize":40,"customMedia":[],"init":true,"expFactor":1.5,"hFac":0.80000000000000004,"loadMode":2,"loadHidden":true,"ricTimeout":0,"throttleDelay":125,"plugins":[]},"placeholderSrc":"","preferNative":false,"minified":true,"libraryPath":"\/themes\/custom\/noaa_components\/scripts\/lazyload"},"data":{"extlink":{"extTarget":false,"extTargetAppendNewWindowLabel":"(opens in a new window)","extTargetNoOverride":false,"extNofollow":false,"extNoreferrer":false,"extFollowNoOverride":false,"extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":false,"extSubdomains":false,"extExclude":"(\\.gov)","extInclude":"","extCssExclude":".site-header__top-bar-links--left, .site-header__top-bar-links--right","extCssInclude":"","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":false,"extAlertText":"This link will take you to an external web site. We are not responsible for their content.","extHideIcons":false,"mailtoClass":"0","telClass":"tel","mailtoLabel":"(link sends email)","telLabel":"(link is a phone number)","extUseFontAwesome":false,"extIconPlacement":"append","extFaLinkClasses":"fa fa-external-link","extFaMailtoClasses":"fa fa-envelope-o","extAdditionalLinkClasses":"","extAdditionalMailtoClasses":"","extAdditionalTelClasses":"","extFaTelClasses":"fa fa-phone","whitelistedDomains":["fisheriesmedia.s3.amazonaws.com"],"extExcludeNoreferrer":""}},"bootstrap":{"forms_has_error_value_toggle":1,"modal_animation":1,"modal_backdrop":"true","modal_focus_input":1,"modal_keyboard":1,"modal_select_text":1,"modal_show":1,"modal_size":"","popover_enabled":1,"popover_animation":1,"popover_auto_close":1,"popover_container":"body","popover_content":"","popover_delay":"0","popover_html":0,"popover_placement":"right","popover_selector":"","popover_title":"","popover_trigger":"click","tooltip_enabled":1,"tooltip_animation":1,"tooltip_container":"body","tooltip_delay":"0","tooltip_html":0,"tooltip_placement":"auto left","tooltip_selector":"","tooltip_trigger":"hover"},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"1d87436a23a3c7b16505545d02fd6b7bdf2b8334fff658303c46b25995068842"}}</script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery/jquery.min.js?v=3.7.1"></script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/once/once.min.js?v=1.0.1"></script> <script src="/core/misc/drupalSettingsLoader.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/core/misc/drupal.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/core/misc/drupal.init.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/tabbable/index.umd.min.js?v=6.2.0"></script> <script src="/core/misc/debounce.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtm.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtag.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/core/misc/jquery.form.js?v=4.3.0"></script> <script src="/core/misc/progress.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/themes/contrib/bootstrap/js/misc/progress.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/loadjs/loadjs.min.js?v=4.3.0"></script> <script src="/core/misc/announce.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/core/misc/message.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/themes/contrib/bootstrap/js/misc/message.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/core/misc/ajax.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/themes/contrib/bootstrap/js/misc/ajax.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtag.ajax.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.5.1/jquery.min.js"></script> </head> <body> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-M67WBF" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <header role="banner"> <div class="region region-header"> <div id="block-outdatedbrowser"> <div class="alert alert--alert "> <span class="alert__icon fa fa-exclamation-circle"></span> <div class="alert__content"> <span class="alert__title">Unsupported Browser Detected</span> <div class="alert__message"> <p>Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. For the best experience, please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <nav aria-label="block-noaamegamenu-menu" id="block-noaamegamenu"> <header class="site-header"> <div class="site-header__top"> <div class="site-header__top-bar--wrapper"> <div class="container"> <div class="site-header__top-bar"> <details id='details'> <summary><img class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/645c86263e501848bd72e0a8_us_flag_small.svg" alt="U.S. flag">An official website of the United States government <span class="link"> Here’s how you know </span></summary> <div class="site-header--well"> <div class="site-header--notice"> <div> <img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/svgs/icon-dot-govern.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true"> </div> <div> <strong>Official websites use .gov</strong> <p>A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.</p> </div> </div> <div class="site-header--notice"> <div> <img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/svgs/icon-https.svg" role="img" alt="" aria-hidden="true"> </div> <div> <strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong> <p> A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description" focusable="false"> <title id="banner-lock-title">Lock</title> <desc id="banner-lock-description">Locked padlock icon</desc> <path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"></path> </svg> </span>) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. </p> </div> </div> </div> </details> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <div id="block-promobanner" class="block_timestamp_1727789413"> </div> <div id="block-seafoodpromo" class="block_timestamp_1677885824"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="site-header__branding col-lg-6 col-md-5 col-sm-8 col-xs-8"> <div class="site-header__label"> <a href="/" title="Home" class="site-header__label-image-link"> <img class="site-header__logo-text" src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/NOAA_FISHERIES_logoH.png" alt="NOAA Fisheries emblem"> </a> <br> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-6 col-md-7 col-sm-6 hidden-sm hidden-xs"> <form id="input-search-form_header-search" class="input-search" action="/search" method="GET"> <label for="header-search" class="sr-only">Search NOAA Fisheries</label> <input type="search" id="header-search" name="oq" placeholder="Search NOAA Fisheries"> <button type="submit" class="fa fa-search input-search__button"><span class="sr-only">Search</span></button> </form> </div> <nav class="col-sm-4 col-xs-4 hidden-lg hidden-md site-header__menu"> <a class="site-header__menu-link" href="#" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false"><span class="site-header__menu-icon fa fa-bars"></span>Menu</a> </nav> </div> </div> </div> <div class="site-header__main hidden-sm hidden-xs"> <div class="container"> <nav class="main-menu"> <ul class="main-menu__items"> <li class="main-menu__item main-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" href="" >Find A Species</a> <ul class="main-menu__items main-menu__container--mega main-menu--hidden" id="container-1"> <li class="hidden"> <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--1"> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/find-species">Find a Species</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/dolphins-porpoises">Dolphins & Porpoises</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/fish-sharks">Fish & Sharks</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/highly-migratory-species">Highly Migratory Species</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/invertebrates">Invertebrates</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/sea-turtles">Sea Turtles</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/seals-sea-lions">Seals & Sea Lions</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/whales">Whales</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">Protected Species</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/species-directory/threatened-endangered">All Threatened & Endangered Species</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/species-directory/marine-mammals">Marine Mammals</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">Species By Region</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001106&items_per_page=25">Alaska</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001111&items_per_page=25">New England/Mid-Atlantic</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001116&items_per_page=25">Pacific Islands</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001121&items_per_page=25">Southeast</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001126&items_per_page=25">West Coast</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">Helpful Resources</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines">Marine Life Viewing Guidelines</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/marine-life-distress">Marine Life in Distress</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/report">Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/endangered-species-conservation/species-in-the-spotlight">Species in the Spotlight</a> </li> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__item main-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" href="" >Fishing & Seafood</a> <ul class="main-menu__items main-menu__container--mega main-menu--hidden" id="container-2"> <li class="hidden"> <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--1"> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/sustainable-fisheries">Sustainable Fisheries</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/bycatch">Bycatch</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/laws-and-policies/catch-shares">Catch Shares</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/fishery-observers">Fishery Observers</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/international-affairs/iuu-fishing">Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported Fishing</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/laws-policies/magnuson-stevens-act">Magnuson-Stevens Act</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/science-data/research-surveys">Research Surveys</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/population-assessments">Population Assessments</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/resources-fishing">Resources for Fishing</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/resources-fishing/commercial-fishing">Commercial Fishing</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/resources-fishing/recreational-fishing">Recreational Fishing</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/resources-fishing/subsistence-fishing">Subsistence Fishing</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/rules-and-announcements/notices-and-rules">Fishery Management Info</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/permits-and-forms/fishing-seafood">Permits & Forms</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/rules-and-regulations/fisheries">Rules & Regulations by Region</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/sustainable-seafood">Sustainable Seafood</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/sustainable-seafood/seafood-profiles">Seafood Profiles</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/aquaculture">Aquaculture</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade">Commerce & Trade</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade/seafood-inspection">Seafood Inspection</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">Related Topics</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species">Atlantic Highly Migratory Species </a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/offshore-wind-energy">Offshore Wind Energy</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/sustainable-fisheries/national-cooperative-research-program">Cooperative Research</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/enforcement">Enforcement</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/funding-opportunities/financial-services">Financial Services</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/international-affairs">International Affairs</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/science-and-data">Science & Data</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/socioeconomics">Socioeconomics</a> </li> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__item main-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" href="" >Protecting Marine Life</a> <ul class="main-menu__items main-menu__container--mega main-menu--hidden" id="container-3"> <li class="hidden"> <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--1"> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/endangered-species-conservation">Endangered Species Conservation</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/endangered-species-conservation/listing-species-under-endangered-species-act">Listing Species Under ESA</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/endangered-species-conservation/critical-habitat">Critical Habitat</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/consultations/endangered-species-act-consultations">Consultations</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/endangered-species-conservation/recovery-species-under-endangered-species-act">Species Recovery</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/science-data/research-surveys">Research Surveys</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/endangered-species-conservation/species-in-the-spotlight">Species in the Spotlight</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/laws-policies/endangered-species-act">Endangered Species Act</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/marine-mammal-protection">Marine Mammal Protection</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/marine-life-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program">Health & Stranding Response</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/laws-policies/marine-mammal-protection-act">Marine Mammal Protection Act</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/science-data/research-surveys">Research Surveys</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/population-assessments/marine-mammals">Population Assessments</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-take-reduction-plans-and-teams">Take Reduction Plans</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/marine-life-distress">Marine Life in Distress</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/report">Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/bycatch">Bycatch</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/science-data/ocean-noise">Ocean Acoustics/Noise</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-unusual-mortality-events">Unusual Mortality Events</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/insight/understanding-vessel-strikes">Vessel Strikes</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">Related Topics</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines">Marine Life Viewing Guidelines</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/enforcement">Enforcement</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/funding-opportunities">Funding Opportunities</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/international-affairs/international-cooperation-on-key-issues">International Cooperation</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/permits-and-forms/protected-resources">Permits & Authorizations</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/rules-and-regulations/protected-resources">Regulations & Actions</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/offshore-wind-energy">Offshore Wind Energy</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/science-and-data">Science & Data</a> </li> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__item main-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" href="" >Environment</a> <ul class="main-menu__items main-menu__container--mega main-menu--hidden" id="container-4"> <li class="hidden"> <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--1"> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/ecosystems">Ecosystems</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/ecosystems/regional-ecosystems">U.S. Regional Ecosystems </a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/ecosystems/evolving-management">Management</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/ecosystems/ecosystem-science">Ecosystem Science</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/habitat-conservation">Habitat Conservation</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/habitat-conservation/habitat-restoration-under-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation-reduction-act">Priority Restoration Investments</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/habitat-conservation/how-we-restore">Habitat Restoration</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/habitat-conservation/how-we-protect">Habitat Protection</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/habitat-conservation/types-of-habitat">Types of Habitat</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/habitat-conservation/habitat-conservation-in-the-regions">Habitat by Region</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/habitat-conservation/science">Science</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/consultations/habitat-consultations">Consultations</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/climate-change">Climate Change</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/climate-change/understanding-the-impacts">Understanding the Impacts</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/climate-change/climate-change-solutions">Climate Change Solutions</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/climate-change/climate,-ecosystems,-and-fisheries">Climate, Ecosystems & Fisheries Initiative</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/climate-change/regional-activities">Regional Activities</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/offshore-wind-energy">Offshore Wind Energy</a> </li> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__item main-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" href="" >Regions</a> <ul class="main-menu__items main-menu__container--mega main-menu--hidden" id="container-5"> <li class="hidden"> <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--1"> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/regions">Our Regions</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/region/new-england-mid-atlantic">New England/ Mid-Atlantic</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/region/pacific-islands">Pacific Islands</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">Contact Us</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/contact-directory/regional-offices">Regional Offices</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/contact-directory/science-centers">Science Centers</a> </li> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__item main-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" href="" >Resources & Services</a> <ul class="main-menu__items main-menu__container--mega main-menu--hidden" id="container-6"> <li class="hidden"> <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--1"> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">Rules & Regulations</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/rules-and-regulations/fisheries">Fisheries Rules & Regs</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/rules-and-announcements/notices-and-rules">Fisheries Management Info</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/rules-and-regulations/protected-resources">Protected Resources Regs & Actions</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">Permits</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/permits-and-forms/fishing-seafood">Fishing & Seafood</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/permits-and-forms/protected-resources">Protected Resources</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/fishing-and-seafood-permits?fishing_permits%5B1000008636%5D=1000008636">International & Trade</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">Funding & Financial Services</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/funding-opportunities/funding-opportunities">Funding Opportunities</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/funding-opportunities/financial-services">Financial Services</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/grant/john-h-prescott-marine-mammal-rescue-assistance-grant-program">Prescott Grants</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/grant/saltonstall-kennedy-grant-program">Saltonstall-Kennedy Grants</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/grant/coastal-and-marine-habitat-restoration-grants">Habitat Restoration Grants</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/consultations">Consultations</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/consultations/habitat-consultations">Habitat</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/consultations/endangered-species-act-consultations">Endangered Species</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/consultations/tribal-engagements-and-consultations">Tribal</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/science-and-data">Science & Data</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/research">Research</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/surveys">Surveys</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/data">Data</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/maps">Maps & GIS</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/resources/all-publications">Publications</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/peer-reviewed-research">Published Research</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/key-reports">Key Reports</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/documents">Documents</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/publication-databases">Publication Databases</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/outreach-materials">Outreach Materials</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/laws-policies">Laws & Policies</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/laws-policies/magnuson-stevens-act">Magnuson-Stevens Act</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/laws-policies/endangered-species-act">Endangered Species Act</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/laws-policies/marine-mammal-protection-act">Marine Mammal Protection Act</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/laws-policies/policies">Policies</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/outreach-and-education">Outreach & Education</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/for-educators">For Educators</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/for-students">For Students</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/educational-materials">Educational Materials</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/outreach-materials">Outreach Materials</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/teacher-at-sea-program">Teacher at Sea</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/resources/outreach-events">Events</a> </li> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__item main-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" href="" >About Us</a> <ul class="main-menu__items main-menu__container--mega main-menu--hidden" id="container-7"> <li class="hidden"> <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--1"> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">NOAA Fisheries</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/about-us">Our Mission</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/about-us/who-we-are">Who We Are</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/about-us/where-we-work">Where We Work</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/about-us/our-history">Our History</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">News & Media</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/news-and-announcements/news">News & Announcements</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/news-and-announcements/bulletins">Bulletins</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/news-and-announcements/multimedia">Multimedia</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/news-and-announcements/science-blog">Science Blogs</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/events">Events</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="https://videos.fisheries.noaa.gov/">Video Gallery</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/photo-gallery">Photo Gallery</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/careers-more">Careers & More</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/careers-more/career-paths">Career Paths</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/careers-more/noaa-fisheries-hiring-positions-available-support-inflation-reduction-act">Inflation Reduction Act Opportunities</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/careers-more/internships-and-more">Internships</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/careers-more/citizen-science-and-volunteering">Citizen Science and Volunteering</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/careers-more/diversity-and-inclusion">Diversity & Inclusion</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/contact-us">Contact Us</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/contact-directory/national-program-offices">National Program Offices</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/contact-directory/regional-offices">Regional Offices</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/contact-directory/science-centers">Science Centers</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <a class="link--cta" href="/topic/partners">Our Partners</a> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/partners">Regional Fishery Management Councils</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/partners/marine-fisheries-advisory-committee">Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/partners/american-fisheries-advisory-committee">American Fisheries Advisory Committee</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/partners/government-agencies">Government Agencies</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/topic/partners/non-government-organizations">Non-Government Organizations</a> </li> </li> </ul> <li class="main-menu__column--mega" > <ul class="main-menu--mega main-menu--2"> <span class="main-menu__title">Inflation Reduction Act</span> <br> <div class="bar" ></div> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/climate/helping-america-prepare-and-respond-climate-change-under-inflation-reduction-act">Priority Investments</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/tags/inflation-reduction-act">Recent Updates</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/habitat-conservation/habitat-restoration-under-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation-reduction-act">Habitat Restoration</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/endangered-species-conservation/north-atlantic-right-whale-recovery-under-inflation-reduction-act">North Atlantic Right Whales</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/national/climate/recovering-pacific-salmon-under-inflation-reduction-act">Pacific Salmon</a> </li> <li class="main-menu__item"> <a class="link link--text main-menu__link" href="/climate/red-snapper-data-improvements-under-inflation-reduction-act">Red Snapper</a> </li> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="site-header__bottom hidden-lg hidden-md"> <nav class="mobile-menu"> <ul class="mobile-menu__level" data-level="1" aria-expanded="false"> <form id="input-search-form_header-search-mobile" class="input-search" action="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/search" method="GET"> <label for="header-search-mobile" class="sr-only">Search NOAA Fisheries</label> <input type="search" id="header-search-mobile" name="oq" placeholder="Search NOAA Fisheries"> <button type="submit" class="fa fa-search input-search__button"><span class="sr-only">Search</span></button> </form> <ul class="mobile-menu__items"> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--first mobile-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="#" >Find A Species</a> <ul class="mobile-menu__level" data-level="2" aria-expanded="false"> <div class="mobile-menu__back"> <a class="link link--breadcrumb" href="#" role="button">Back</a> </div> <div class="mobile-menu__explore"> <span class="link link-cta">Find A Species</span> </div> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/find-species">Find a Species</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/dolphins-porpoises" title="Dolphins & Porpoises">Dolphins & Porpoises</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/fish-sharks" title="Fish & Sharks">Fish & Sharks</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/highly-migratory-species" title="Highly Migratory Species">Highly Migratory Species</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/invertebrates" title="Invertebrates">Invertebrates</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/sea-turtles" title="Sea Turtles">Sea Turtles</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/seals-sea-lions" title="Seals & Sea Lions">Seals & Sea Lions</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/whales" title="Whales">Whales</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">Protected Species</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/species-directory/threatened-endangered" title="All Threatened & Endangered Species">All Threatened & Endangered Species</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/species-directory/marine-mammals" title="Marine Mammals">Marine Mammals</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">Species By Region</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001106&items_per_page=25" title="Alaska">Alaska</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001111&items_per_page=25" title="New England/Mid-Atlantic">New England/Mid-Atlantic</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001116&items_per_page=25" title="Pacific Islands">Pacific Islands</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001121&items_per_page=25" title="Southeast">Southeast</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/species-directory?oq=&field_species_categories_vocab=All&field_region_vocab=1000001126&items_per_page=25" title="West Coast">West Coast</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">Helpful Resources</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines" title="Marine Life Viewing Guidelines">Marine Life Viewing Guidelines</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/marine-life-distress" title="Marine Life in Distress">Marine Life in Distress</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/report" title="Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal">Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/endangered-species-conservation/species-in-the-spotlight" title="Species in the Spotlight">Species in the Spotlight</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--first mobile-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="#" >Fishing & Seafood</a> <ul class="mobile-menu__level" data-level="2" aria-expanded="false"> <div class="mobile-menu__back"> <a class="link link--breadcrumb" href="#" role="button">Back</a> </div> <div class="mobile-menu__explore"> <span class="link link-cta">Fishing & Seafood</span> </div> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/sustainable-fisheries">Sustainable Fisheries</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/bycatch" title="Bycatch">Bycatch</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/laws-and-policies/catch-shares" title="Catch Shares">Catch Shares</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/fishery-observers" title="Fishery Observers">Fishery Observers</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/international-affairs/iuu-fishing" title="Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported Fishing">Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported Fishing</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/laws-policies/magnuson-stevens-act" title="Magnuson-Stevens Act">Magnuson-Stevens Act</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/science-data/research-surveys" title="Research Surveys">Research Surveys</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/population-assessments" title="Population Assessments">Population Assessments</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/resources-fishing">Resources for Fishing</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/resources-fishing/commercial-fishing" title="Commercial Fishing">Commercial Fishing</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/resources-fishing/recreational-fishing" title="Recreational Fishing">Recreational Fishing</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/resources-fishing/subsistence-fishing" title="Subsistence Fishing">Subsistence Fishing</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/rules-and-announcements/notices-and-rules" title="Fishery Management Info">Fishery Management Info</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/permits-and-forms/fishing-seafood" title="Permits & Forms">Permits & Forms</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/rules-and-regulations/fisheries" title="Rules & Regulations by Region">Rules & Regulations by Region</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/sustainable-seafood">Sustainable Seafood</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/sustainable-seafood/seafood-profiles" title="Seafood Profiles">Seafood Profiles</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/aquaculture" title="Aquaculture">Aquaculture</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade" title="Commerce & Trade">Commerce & Trade</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/seafood-commerce-and-trade/seafood-inspection" title="Seafood Inspection">Seafood Inspection</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">Related Topics</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species" title="Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ">Atlantic Highly Migratory Species </a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/offshore-wind-energy" title="Offshore Wind Energy">Offshore Wind Energy</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/sustainable-fisheries/national-cooperative-research-program" title="Cooperative Research">Cooperative Research</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/enforcement" title="Enforcement">Enforcement</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/funding-opportunities/financial-services" title="Financial Services">Financial Services</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/international-affairs" title="International Affairs">International Affairs</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/science-and-data" title="Science & Data">Science & Data</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/socioeconomics" title="Socioeconomics">Socioeconomics</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--first mobile-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="#" >Protecting Marine Life</a> <ul class="mobile-menu__level" data-level="2" aria-expanded="false"> <div class="mobile-menu__back"> <a class="link link--breadcrumb" href="#" role="button">Back</a> </div> <div class="mobile-menu__explore"> <span class="link link-cta">Protecting Marine Life</span> </div> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/endangered-species-conservation">Endangered Species Conservation</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/endangered-species-conservation/listing-species-under-endangered-species-act" title="Listing Species Under ESA">Listing Species Under ESA</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/endangered-species-conservation/critical-habitat" title="Critical Habitat">Critical Habitat</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/consultations/endangered-species-act-consultations" title="Consultations">Consultations</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/endangered-species-conservation/recovery-species-under-endangered-species-act" title="Species Recovery">Species Recovery</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/science-data/research-surveys" title="Research Surveys">Research Surveys</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/endangered-species-conservation/species-in-the-spotlight" title="Species in the Spotlight">Species in the Spotlight</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/laws-policies/endangered-species-act" title="Endangered Species Act">Endangered Species Act</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/marine-mammal-protection">Marine Mammal Protection</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/marine-life-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program" title="Health & Stranding Response">Health & Stranding Response</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/laws-policies/marine-mammal-protection-act" title="Marine Mammal Protection Act">Marine Mammal Protection Act</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/science-data/research-surveys" title="Research Surveys">Research Surveys</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/population-assessments/marine-mammals" title="Population Assessments">Population Assessments</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-take-reduction-plans-and-teams" title="Take Reduction Plans">Take Reduction Plans</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/marine-life-distress">Marine Life in Distress</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/report" title="Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal">Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/bycatch" title="Bycatch">Bycatch</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/science-data/ocean-noise" title="Ocean Acoustics/Noise">Ocean Acoustics/Noise</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-unusual-mortality-events" title="Unusual Mortality Events">Unusual Mortality Events</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/insight/understanding-vessel-strikes" title="Vessel Strikes">Vessel Strikes</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">Related Topics</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines" title="Marine Life Viewing Guidelines">Marine Life Viewing Guidelines</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/enforcement" title="Enforcement">Enforcement</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/funding-opportunities" title="Funding Opportunities">Funding Opportunities</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/international-affairs/international-cooperation-on-key-issues" title="International Cooperation">International Cooperation</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/permits-and-forms/protected-resources" title="Permits & Authorizations">Permits & Authorizations</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/rules-and-regulations/protected-resources" title="Regulations & Actions">Regulations & Actions</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/offshore-wind-energy" title="Offshore Wind Energy">Offshore Wind Energy</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/science-and-data" title="Science & Data">Science & Data</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--first mobile-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="#" >Environment</a> <ul class="mobile-menu__level" data-level="2" aria-expanded="false"> <div class="mobile-menu__back"> <a class="link link--breadcrumb" href="#" role="button">Back</a> </div> <div class="mobile-menu__explore"> <span class="link link-cta">Environment</span> </div> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/ecosystems">Ecosystems</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/ecosystems/regional-ecosystems" title="U.S. Regional Ecosystems ">U.S. Regional Ecosystems </a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/ecosystems/evolving-management" title="Management">Management</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/ecosystems/ecosystem-science" title="Ecosystem Science">Ecosystem Science</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/habitat-conservation">Habitat Conservation</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/habitat-conservation/habitat-restoration-under-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation-reduction-act" title="Priority Restoration Investments">Priority Restoration Investments</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/habitat-conservation/how-we-restore" title="Habitat Restoration">Habitat Restoration</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/habitat-conservation/how-we-protect" title="Habitat Protection">Habitat Protection</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/habitat-conservation/types-of-habitat" title="Types of Habitat">Types of Habitat</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/habitat-conservation/habitat-conservation-in-the-regions" title="Habitat by Region">Habitat by Region</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/habitat-conservation/science" title="Science">Science</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/consultations/habitat-consultations" title="Consultations">Consultations</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/climate-change">Climate Change</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/climate-change/understanding-the-impacts" title="Understanding the Impacts">Understanding the Impacts</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/climate-change/climate-change-solutions" title="Climate Change Solutions">Climate Change Solutions</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/climate-change/climate,-ecosystems,-and-fisheries" title="Climate, Ecosystems & Fisheries Initiative">Climate, Ecosystems & Fisheries Initiative</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/climate-change/regional-activities" title="Regional Activities">Regional Activities</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/offshore-wind-energy" title="Offshore Wind Energy">Offshore Wind Energy</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--first mobile-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="#" >Regions</a> <ul class="mobile-menu__level" data-level="2" aria-expanded="false"> <div class="mobile-menu__back"> <a class="link link--breadcrumb" href="#" role="button">Back</a> </div> <div class="mobile-menu__explore"> <span class="link link-cta">Regions</span> </div> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/regions">Our Regions</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/region/alaska" title="Alaska">Alaska</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/region/new-england-mid-atlantic" title="New England/ Mid-Atlantic">New England/ Mid-Atlantic</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/region/pacific-islands" title="Pacific Islands">Pacific Islands</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/region/southeast" title="Southeast">Southeast</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/region/west-coast" title="West Coast">West Coast</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">Contact Us</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/contact-directory/regional-offices" title="Regional Offices">Regional Offices</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/contact-directory/science-centers" title="Science Centers">Science Centers</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--first mobile-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="#" >Resources & Services</a> <ul class="mobile-menu__level" data-level="2" aria-expanded="false"> <div class="mobile-menu__back"> <a class="link link--breadcrumb" href="#" role="button">Back</a> </div> <div class="mobile-menu__explore"> <span class="link link-cta">Resources & Services</span> </div> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">Rules & Regulations</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/rules-and-regulations/fisheries" title="Fisheries Rules & Regs">Fisheries Rules & Regs</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/rules-and-announcements/notices-and-rules" title="Fisheries Management Info">Fisheries Management Info</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/rules-and-regulations/protected-resources" title="Protected Resources Regs & Actions">Protected Resources Regs & Actions</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">Permits</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/permits-and-forms/fishing-seafood" title="Fishing & Seafood">Fishing & Seafood</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/permits-and-forms/protected-resources" title="Protected Resources">Protected Resources</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/fishing-and-seafood-permits?fishing_permits%5B1000008636%5D=1000008636" title="International & Trade">International & Trade</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">Funding & Financial Services</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/funding-opportunities/funding-opportunities" title="Funding Opportunities">Funding Opportunities</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/funding-opportunities/financial-services" title="Financial Services">Financial Services</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/grant/john-h-prescott-marine-mammal-rescue-assistance-grant-program" title="Prescott Grants">Prescott Grants</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/grant/saltonstall-kennedy-grant-program" title="Saltonstall-Kennedy Grants">Saltonstall-Kennedy Grants</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/grant/coastal-and-marine-habitat-restoration-grants" title="Habitat Restoration Grants">Habitat Restoration Grants</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/consultations">Consultations</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/consultations/habitat-consultations" title="Habitat">Habitat</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/consultations/endangered-species-act-consultations" title="Endangered Species">Endangered Species</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/consultations/tribal-engagements-and-consultations" title="Tribal">Tribal</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/science-and-data">Science & Data</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/research" title="Research">Research</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/surveys" title="Surveys">Surveys</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/data" title="Data">Data</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/maps" title="Maps & GIS">Maps & GIS</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/resources/all-publications">Publications</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/peer-reviewed-research" title="Published Research">Published Research</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/key-reports" title="Key Reports">Key Reports</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/documents" title="Documents">Documents</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/publication-databases" title="Publication Databases">Publication Databases</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/outreach-materials" title="Outreach Materials">Outreach Materials</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/laws-policies">Laws & Policies</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/laws-policies/magnuson-stevens-act" title="Magnuson-Stevens Act">Magnuson-Stevens Act</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/laws-policies/endangered-species-act" title="Endangered Species Act">Endangered Species Act</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/laws-policies/marine-mammal-protection-act" title="Marine Mammal Protection Act">Marine Mammal Protection Act</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/laws-policies/policies" title="Policies">Policies</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/outreach-and-education">Outreach & Education</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/for-educators" title="For Educators">For Educators</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/for-students" title="For Students">For Students</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/educational-materials" title="Educational Materials">Educational Materials</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/outreach-materials" title="Outreach Materials">Outreach Materials</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/teacher-at-sea-program" title="Teacher at Sea">Teacher at Sea</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/resources/outreach-events" title="Events">Events</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--first mobile-menu__item--expanded"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="#" >About Us</a> <ul class="mobile-menu__level" data-level="2" aria-expanded="false"> <div class="mobile-menu__back"> <a class="link link--breadcrumb" href="#" role="button">Back</a> </div> <div class="mobile-menu__explore"> <span class="link link-cta">About Us</span> </div> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">NOAA Fisheries</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/about-us" title="Our Mission">Our Mission</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/about-us/who-we-are" title="Who We Are">Who We Are</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/about-us/where-we-work" title="Where We Work">Where We Work</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/about-us/our-history" title="Our History">Our History</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">News & Media</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/news-and-announcements/news" title="News & Announcements">News & Announcements</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/news-and-announcements/bulletins" title="Bulletins">Bulletins</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/news-and-announcements/multimedia" title="Multimedia">Multimedia</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/news-and-announcements/science-blog" title="Science Blogs">Science Blogs</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/events" title="Events">Events</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="https://videos.fisheries.noaa.gov/" title="Video Gallery">Video Gallery</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/photo-gallery" title="Photo Gallery">Photo Gallery</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/careers-more">Careers & More</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/careers-more/career-paths" title="Career Paths">Career Paths</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/careers-more/noaa-fisheries-hiring-positions-available-support-inflation-reduction-act" title="Inflation Reduction Act Opportunities">Inflation Reduction Act Opportunities</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/careers-more/internships-and-more" title="Internships">Internships</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/careers-more/citizen-science-and-volunteering" title="Citizen Science and Volunteering">Citizen Science and Volunteering</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/careers-more/diversity-and-inclusion" title="Diversity & Inclusion">Diversity & Inclusion</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/contact-us">Contact Us</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/contact-directory/national-program-offices" title="National Program Offices">National Program Offices</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/contact-directory/regional-offices" title="Regional Offices">Regional Offices</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/contact-directory/science-centers" title="Science Centers">Science Centers</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <a class="link link--cta" href="/topic/partners">Our Partners</a> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/partners" title="Regional Fishery Management Councils">Regional Fishery Management Councils</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/partners/marine-fisheries-advisory-committee" title="Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee">Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/partners/american-fisheries-advisory-committee" title="American Fisheries Advisory Committee">American Fisheries Advisory Committee</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/partners/government-agencies" title="Government Agencies">Government Agencies</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/topic/partners/non-government-organizations" title="Non-Government Organizations">Non-Government Organizations</a> </li> </ul> </li> <ul class="mobile-menu__level list--arrow" data-level="3" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="mobile-menu__title">Inflation Reduction Act</span> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/climate/helping-america-prepare-and-respond-climate-change-under-inflation-reduction-act" title="Priority Investments">Priority Investments</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/tags/inflation-reduction-act" title="Recent Updates">Recent Updates</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/habitat-conservation/habitat-restoration-under-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-and-inflation-reduction-act" title="Habitat Restoration">Habitat Restoration</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/endangered-species-conservation/north-atlantic-right-whale-recovery-under-inflation-reduction-act" title="North Atlantic Right Whales">North Atlantic Right Whales</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/national/climate/recovering-pacific-salmon-under-inflation-reduction-act" title="Pacific Salmon">Pacific Salmon</a> </li> <li class="mobile-menu__item mobile-menu__item--second"> <a class="mobile-menu__link link link--text" href="/climate/red-snapper-data-improvements-under-inflation-reduction-act" title="Red Snapper">Red Snapper</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </ul> </nav> </div> </header> </nav> </div> </header> <main role="main" id="main-content" tabindex="-1"> <div class="region region-content"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <span class="a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list" data-a2a-url="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/marine-mammal-protection" data-a2a-title="Marine Mammal Protection"><a class="a2a_button_facebook" alt="Facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_x" alt="Twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_linkedin" alt="Linkedin"></a><a class="a2a_button_reddit" alt="Reddit"></a><a class="a2a_dd" alt="Share"></a></span> <div class="hero hero--nomargin"> <div class="hero__banner" style="background-image: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(2, 22, 39, .73), rgba(0, 51, 93, .59) 50%, rgba(6, 45, 98, 0)), url('/s3//styles/inline_field_banner/s3/dam-migration/1280x800-seals-cc0-pixabay.jpg?itok=YjU8ftqa');"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="hero__content col-md-12"> <h1 class="hero__title display">Marine Mammal Protection</h1> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-subnav__wrapper topic_wrapper"><div class="container hero-sub-nav__container"> <nav class="hero-sub-nav"> <a href="/topic/marine-mammal-protection/overview" class="sub-nav__link link hero-link--subnav hero-sub-nav__link--active" data-id="overview">Overview</a> <a href="/topic/marine-mammal-protection/conservation-and-management" class="sub-nav__link link hero-link--subnav " data-id="conservation-and-management">Conservation & Management</a> <a href="/topic/marine-mammal-protection/science" class="sub-nav__link link hero-link--subnav " data-id="science">Science</a> <a href="/topic/marine-mammal-protection/our-partners" class="sub-nav__link link hero-link--subnav " data-id="our-partners">Our Partners</a> <a href="/topic/marine-mammal-protection/resources" class="sub-nav__link link hero-link--subnav " data-id="resources">Resources</a> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <div> <div class="topic-custom"> <div class="topic-custom__content"> <div class="subnav-tab"> <div class="subnav-tab__content subnav-tab__content--active" id=overview> <div class="row"> <div class="subnav-tab__main col-md-12 col-lg-8"> <h2 class="subnav-tab__title">Marine Mammal Protection</h2> <div class="subnav-tab__main-content"> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-page-heading"></div> <div class="meta-title"></div> <div class="meta-decs">NOAA Fisheries works to help all marine mammals protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and other laws and policies.</div> </div> <div class="wyswyg-edit field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field--item"><p><span>Marine mammals are mammals that rely on the ocean to survive. They include whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, walruses, polar bears, sea otters, manatees, and dugongs. Some are fully aquatic, such as whales and dolphins. Others, such as seals and sea lions, spend most of their time in water but return to land or ice for activities such as resting or giving birth. Marine mammals are vital to the balance of marine ecosystems and are key indicators of the overall health of the ocean.</span></p><p><span>All marine mammals are protected<strong> </strong>under the </span><a href="/topic/laws-policies#marine-mammal-protection-act"><span>Marine Mammal Protection Act</span></a><span>. Some are also protected under the </span><a href="/topic/laws-policies#endangered-species-act"><span>Endangered Species Act</span></a><span> and the </span><a href="/national/international-affairs/convention-international-trade-endangered-species-wild-fauna-and"><span>Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora</span></a><span>. </span></p><p><span>With some exceptions, the MMPA prohibits the “take” of marine mammals—including harassment, hunting, capturing, collecting, or killing—in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas. The act also makes it illegal to import marine mammals and marine mammal products into the United States without a permit. </span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/topic/laws-policies#marine-mammal-protection-act"><span>Learn more about the MMPA </span></a></p><h3><span>Our Work Under the MMPA</span></h3><p><span>Our work to protect and conserve marine mammal species includes:</span></p><ul><li>Managing the take of marine mammals through <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permits-and-forms/protected-resources">permits and authorizations</a> (sections 101 and 104 of the MMPA)<span>.</span></li><li>Investigating and prosecuting violations of the MMPA (section 107). </li><li><a href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/species/marine_mammals/marine_mammals_home.html">Partnering with other nations</a> to <span>make sure they hold international fishing to our standards according to the MMPA (section 108).</span> </li><li><span>Evaluating the status of marine mammals to determine whether they should be designated as depleted and </span><a href="/topic/marine-mammal-protection#conservation-&-management"><span>developing conservation plans for depleted species</span></a><span> or stocks (section 115).</span></li><li><a href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessments"><span>Developing stock assessment reports</span></a><span>—with</span> scientific information on a species' or stock’s geographic range, population structure, abundance, and threats—to evaluate stock status <span>(section 117). </span></li><li><a href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program"><span>Managing incidental marine mammal interactions with commercial fisheries through authorization and reporting</span></a><span>, by assessing the level of </span><a href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-list-fisheries"><span>mortality and injury in commercial fisheries</span></a><span>, and by developing </span><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-take-reduction-plans-and-teams"><span>take reduction plans</span></a><span> (section 118).</span></li><li><a href="https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/pr/comanagement"><span>Collaborating with Alaska Native organizations to conserve marine mammal populations in Alaska</span></a><span> (section 119). </span></li><li><a href="/national/marine-life-in-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program"><span>Coordinating a national network to respond to marine mammal strandings</span></a><span> (section 403). </span></li><li><span>Investigating and responding to </span><a href="/national/marine-life-in-distress/marine-mammal-unusual-mortality-events"><span>marine mammal unusual mortality events</span></a><span> (section 404).</span></li></ul></div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__extra-content"> <hr> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <h2 class="horizontal-list__title horizontal-list__title--small">Featured News</h2> <div class="horizontal-list--2-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-11/sea-lion-noaa.jpg?h=82192ef0&amp;itok=Fe-OHSsj" width="540" height="360" alt="Closeup of a sea lion's head" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption">The survey seeks information on different methods of deterring marine mammals such as sea lions from damaging infrastructure or interfering with fishing activities and fishing gear. The survey will be available until December 22.</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Feature Story</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/feature-story/noaa-committee-conducting-survey-methods-deter-conflicts-marine-mammals" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>NOAA Committee Conducting Survey on Methods to Deter Conflicts with Marine Mammals</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-11/NOAA-USFWS-Logo-6.jpg?h=9e499333&amp;itok=lC--hPsi" width="540" height="360" alt="The NOAA Fisheries and USFWS Logos next to one another." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Agency Statement</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/agency-statement/update-continuing-process-clarify-marine-mammal-harvest-eligibility" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>Update on Continuing Process to Clarify Marine Mammal Harvest Eligibility</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <div class="horizontal-list--2-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-11/seals-swim-near-net-pens-BOM.jpg?h=d1cb525d&amp;itok=T1qkTzPD" width="540" height="360" alt="Two Hawaiian monk seals swim near an aquaculture net pen full of fish." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption">NOAA Fisheries, in collaboration with Blue Ocean Mariculture, is conducting a multi-year pilot study to evaluate observational methods and tools for studying Hawaiian monk seal behavior. Courtesy of Blue Ocean Mariculture</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Feature Story</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/feature-story/ai-meets-aquaculture-study-hawaiian-monk-seal-interactions-net-pens" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>AI Meets Aquaculture to Study Hawaiian Monk Seal Interactions With Net Pens</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="pacific-islands"> <a class="link link--region link--region-pacific-islands" href="/region/pacific-islands">Pacific Islands</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-11/Tonya_atsea1998.jpeg?h=effc4857&amp;itok=WwYZ1HOd" width="540" height="360" alt="A woman poses holding a fish while aboard a fishing vessel with fisherman and their catch separated into baskets in the background. " loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption">Tonya Wick aboard a fishing vessel at sea in 1998. Photo courtesy of Tonya Wick</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Feature Story</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/feature-story/deck-observer-0001-looking-back-30-years" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>On Deck With Observer 0001— Looking Back 30 Years</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="pacific-islands"> <a class="link link--region link--region-pacific-islands" href="/region/pacific-islands">Pacific Islands</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer horizontal-list__footer--center"> <a href="/news-and-announcements/news?title=&field_topics_vocab_target_id%5B1000001391%5D=1000001391" class="button button--primary">View More News</a> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer horizontal-list__footer--center"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__sidebar col-md-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="info-links"> <h2 class="info-links__title">More Information </h2> <ul class="list--arrow info-links__links"> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessments">Marine Mammal Stock Assessments</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines">Marine Life Viewing Guidelines </a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/topic/marine-life-distress">Marine Life in Distress</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/topic/bycatch">Bycatch</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/permits-and-forms/protected-resources">Permits and Authorizations</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/species/marine_mammals/marine_mammals_home.html">International Cooperation</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/marine-mammal-protection-act">Full Text of Marine Mammal Protection Act</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row sub-nav__footer-content"> <div class="col-md-12 col-lg-12"> <hr> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <div class="horizontal-list--3-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="vertical-list"> <h2 class="vertical-list__header vertical-list__header--small">Notices & Rules</h2> <div class="vertical-list__item"> <div class="label">Protected Resources</div> <div class="teaser teaser--small protected"> <div class="teaser__content--noimage teaser__content--small" style="width:100%"> <h4 class="teaser__title teaser__title--small"><a class="teaser__title-link" href="/action/incidental-take-authorization-us-army-corps-engineers-duckabush-estuary-restoration-project"> <span>Incidental Take Authorization: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Duckabush Estuary Restoration Project near Brinnon, Washington</span> </a></h4> <div class="teaser__meta teaser__meta--hide">  <div class="regions teaser__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="teaser__meta teaser__meta--small"> <div class="regions teaser__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="vertical-list__item"> <div class="label">Protected Resources</div> <div class="teaser teaser--small protected"> <div class="teaser__content--noimage teaser__content--small" style="width:100%"> <h4 class="teaser__title teaser__title--small"><a class="teaser__title-link" href="/action/incidental-take-authorization-university-texas-austins-marine-geophysical-survey-northwest"> <span>Incidental Take Authorization: University of Texas at Austin's Marine Geophysical Survey in the Northwest Gulf of Mexico</span> </a></h4> <div class="teaser__meta teaser__meta--hide">  <div class="regions teaser__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="teaser__meta teaser__meta--small"> <div class="regions teaser__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="vertical-list__item"> <div class="label">Protected Resources</div> <div class="teaser teaser--small protected"> <div class="teaser__content--noimage teaser__content--small" style="width:100%"> <h4 class="teaser__title teaser__title--small"><a class="teaser__title-link" href="/action/notice-availability-conservation-plan-eastern-pacific-stock-northern-fur-seal-laaqudan"> <span>Notice of Availability of the Conservation Plan for the Eastern Pacific Stock of Northern Fur Seal (Laaqudan)</span> </a></h4> <div class="teaser__meta teaser__meta--hide">  <div class="regions teaser__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="teaser__meta teaser__meta--small"> <div class="regions teaser__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="vertical-list__item"> <div class="label">Protected Resources</div> <div class="teaser teaser--small protected"> <div class="teaser__content--noimage teaser__content--small" style="width:100%"> <h4 class="teaser__title teaser__title--small"><a class="teaser__title-link" href="/action/incidental-take-authorization-pile-training-exercises-naval-base-ventura-county-port-hueneme"> <span>Incidental Take Authorization: Pile Training Exercises at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme in California (2025)</span> </a></h4> <div class="teaser__meta teaser__meta--hide">  <div class="regions teaser__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="teaser__meta teaser__meta--small"> <div class="regions teaser__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="vertical-list__item"> <div class="label">Protected Resources</div> <div class="teaser teaser--small protected"> <div class="teaser__content--noimage teaser__content--small" style="width:100%"> <h4 class="teaser__title teaser__title--small"><a class="teaser__title-link" href="/action/incidental-take-authorization-scripps-institution-oceanographys-marine-geophysical-survey"> <span>Incidental Take Authorization: Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Marine Geophysical Survey in the Nauru Basin of Greater Micronesia in the NW Pacific Ocean</span> </a></h4> <div class="teaser__meta teaser__meta--hide">  <div class="regions teaser__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="international"> <a class="link link--region link--region-international" href="/topic/international-affairs">International</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="teaser__meta teaser__meta--small"> <div class="regions teaser__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="international"> <a class="link link--region link--region-international" href="/topic/international-affairs">International</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="vertical-list__footer vertical-list__footer--small"> <a href="/rules-and-announcements/notices-and-rules?title=&field_topics_vocab_target_id[1000001391]=1000001391&field_species_vocab_target_id=&sort_by=field_relevant_date_value" class="link link--cta vertical-list__footer-link">More Fisheries Notices & Rules</a> <br> <a href="/protected-resource-regulations?title=&field_topics_vocab_target_id[1000001391]=1000001391&field_species_vocab_target_id=&sort_by=field_relevant_date_value" class="link link--cta vertical-list__footer-link">More Protected Resources Regs & Actions</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="no-result"> <h2 class="no-result__title no-result__title--small">Upcoming Events</h2> <p class="caption">There are currently no upcoming events.</p> <div class="no-result__footer no-result__footer--small"> <a href="/events" class="link link--cta">More Events</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="no-result"> <h2 class="no-result__title no-result__title--small">Open Funding Opportunities</h2> <p class="caption">There are currently no open funding opportunities.</p> <div class="no-result__footer no-result__footer--small"> <a href="/funding-opportunities/open-opportunities" class="link link--cta">More Opportunities</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="quick-fact"> <div class="quick-fact__fact"> <span class="quick-fact__label">FACT</span> <h2 class="quick-fact__title">All marine mammals are protected under the MMPA</h2> <div class="quick-fact__content"><p>All marine mammal species found in U.S. waters are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as well as marine mammals listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act worldwide. The MMPA prohibits, with certain exceptions, the "<a href="/laws-and-policies/glossary-marine-mammal-protection-act#take-and-incidental-take-under-the-marine-mammal-protection-act">take</a>" of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas, and the importation of marine mammals and marine mammal products into the United States.</p> </div> </div> <div class="quick-fact__fact"> <span class="quick-fact__label">FACT</span> <h2 class="quick-fact__title">3 federal agencies are charged with administering the MMPA </h2> <div class="quick-fact__content"><p><strong>NOAA Fisheries</strong> is charged with protecting whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. Walrus, manatees, sea otters, and polar bears are protected by the <strong>U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</strong>. The <strong>Marine Mammal Commission</strong> provides independent, science-based oversight of federal agencies’ policies and actions addressing human impacts on marine mammals and their ecosystems. Additionally, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, under the Department of Agriculture, is responsible for regulations managing marine mammals in captivity under the Animal Welfare Act. </p> </div> </div> <a href="#" class="link link--text quick-fact__another-fact"><span class="fa fa-sync-alt"></span>Show me another fact</a> </div> <hr> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <div class="horizontal-list--2-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item horizontal-list__item--baseline horizontal-list__item--info-blocks"> <h3>Stock Assessments</h3><p><span>NOAA Fisheries scientists collect and analyze data on the marine mammal populations we manage. We gather information on a species' or stock’s population structure, life history characteristics and productivity rates, abundance, and threats—particularly those caused by human activities. We publish this information, and our analyses, in annual stock assessment reports.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessments">Find marine mammal stock assessment reports</a></p> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item horizontal-list__item--baseline horizontal-list__item--info-blocks"> <h3>Permits and Authorizations</h3><p>The MMPA generally prohibits the "take" of marine mammals<span> (e.g., harassment, hunting, capturing, collecting, or killing). </span>The act also makes it illegal to import or export marine mammals and marine mammal products into or out of the United States without a permit or other applicable authorization.<span> </span>NOAA Fisheries authorizes take for certain activities, for example, scientific research, commercial and educational photography, and incidental take during commercial fishing operations and other non-fishery commercial activities like construction projects.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/permits-and-forms#protected-species-permits">Learn more about permits and authorizations</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <div class="horizontal-list--2-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item horizontal-list__item--baseline horizontal-list__item--info-blocks"> <h3>Take Reduction Planning</h3><p><span>Fisheries bycatch is the greatest direct cause of marine mammal death and injury. To address this threat, NOAA Fisheries develops and implements take reduction plans</span>—<span>plans to mitigate marine mammal death and serious injury in commercial fisheries to help stocks recover. Teams of scientists, members of the fishing industry, representatives of environmental groups, and resource managers work together to develop these plans. The teams design each plan to reduce bycatch within a specific timeframe through a combination of voluntary and regulatory measures.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-take-reduction-plans-and-teams"><span>Learn more about take reduction planning</span></a></p> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item horizontal-list__item--baseline horizontal-list__item--info-blocks"> <h3>Marine Mammal Authorization Program</h3><p><span>The MMPA prohibits killing or injuring marine mammals, except under certain circumstances. This program provides an annual exemption for the incidental mortality or injury of marine mammals that occurs during commercial fishing. This exemption does not include marine mammal stocks listed as endangered or threatened under the </span><a href="/topic/laws-policies#endangered-species-act"><span>Endangered Species Act</span></a>—incidental take of these species must be permitted separately<span>.</span> </p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program"><span>Learn more about the Marine Mammal Authorization Program</span></a></p> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <div class="horizontal-list--2-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item horizontal-list__item--baseline horizontal-list__item--info-blocks"> <h3>Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program</h3><p><span>Sometimes marine mammals are found in distress—sick, injured, or dead. The cause is often unknown, but sometimes it is shown to be disease, ship strikes, entanglements in marine debris or fishing gear, harmful algal blooms, pollution exposure, or other trauma. NOAA Fisheries works with trained partners in every coastal state to respond to reports of marine mammals in distress, assess the animals’ condition, and (in certain cases) try to rehabilitate or move them. If a marine mammal is dead, responders may perform a necropsy—an animal autopsy—to learn more. The valuable biological information collected during stranding responses helps us make better management decisions for marine mammal conservation. </span>Marine mammals are mammals like us, and several species live in coastal waters that people use, and forage on some of the same fish that people consume. As such, they can help serve as indicators of ocean health, giving insight into larger environmental issues, which may also have implications for human health and welfare<span>.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-life-in-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program"><span>Learn more about the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program</span></a></p> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item horizontal-list__item--baseline horizontal-list__item--info-blocks"> <h3>Unusual Mortality Events</h3><p>When marine mammal stranding rates are higher than usual, the MMPA sets out a process to evaluate strandings and determine whether they should be designated as unusual mortality events, which triggers a specific investigative response. UMEs can be caused by either natural or human factors, such as disease outbreaks, biotoxins from harmful algal blooms, oceanographic events, pollution, vessel strikes, and entanglement in fishing gear or marine debris.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-life-in-distress/marine-mammal-unusual-mortality-events"><span>Learn more about unusual mortality events</span></a></p> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> <hr> <div about="/insight/understanding-marine-mammal-protections"> <div class="insight-card"> <div class="insight-card__content"> <a href="/insight/understanding-marine-mammal-protections" class="insight-card__title-link"><h2 class="insight-card__title"> <span>Understanding Marine Mammal Protections </span> </h2></a> <div class="insight-card__text"><p>Learn how NOAA Fisheries protects all marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.</p></div> <div class="insight-card__footer"> <a href="/insight/understanding-marine-mammal-protections" class="insight-card__footer-link" id="read_more">Read More</a> </div> </div> <div class="insight-card__image"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/original/s3/2020-12/900x600_killerwhales_nwfsc.jpg?itok=oXZSu6up" alt="Pod of killer whales." typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list-featured"> <h2 class="horizontal-list-featured__title">Multimedia</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <a href="https://videos.fisheries.noaa.gov/"> <div class="horizontal-list-featured__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/seals_of_approval.jpg" alt="NOAA Fisheries Video Gallery Default Thumbnail Image"> </div> </div> <span class="horizontal-list-featured__image-icon fa fa-play"></span> </div> </a> <h3 class="horizontal-list-featured__subtitle"><a href="https://videos.fisheries.noaa.gov/">NOAA Fisheries Video Gallery</a></h3> </div> <div class="col-md-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-11/PAM-deployent-courtesy-WHOI.png?h=f6e8588b&amp;itok=XFndtMXC" width="540" height="360" alt="Three people wearing rubber boots, chest waders, and protective gear, haul a large yellow and white passive acoustic recorder out of the ocean at the end of a large boat. " loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption">Researchers retrieve a passive acoustic recorder. Courtesy: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Video</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/video/listening-whales-using-passive-acoustic-monitoring-track-north-atlantic-right-whales" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>Listening for Whales: Using Passive Acoustic Monitoring to Track North Atlantic Right Whales</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="mid-atlantic"> <a class="link link--region link--region-mid-atlantic" href="/region/mid-atlantic">New England/Mid-Atlantic</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2024-09/3872x2592-Bryde-s-Whale-Mariana-Fisheries-PIFSC.JPG?h=7685ba0d&amp;itok=yHWov1qY" width="540" height="360" alt="A Bryde's whale swims along the surface of the ocean." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption">A Bryde’s whale photographed in the Mariana Archipelago. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Adam Ü (NOAA Fisheries MMPA-ESA Permit #14097)</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Podcast</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/podcast/ai-identifies-mysterious-whale-calls" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>AI Identifies Mysterious Whale Calls</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="pacific-islands"> <a class="link link--region link--region-pacific-islands" href="/region/pacific-islands">Pacific Islands</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <div class="news-card"> <div class="news-card__image"> <div class="aspect-ratio--three-by-two"> <div class="aspect-ratio__content"> <img class="dam-image img-responsive" src="/s3//styles/inline_field_thumbnail/s3/2022-10/750x500-coral-nurseries-habitat-NOAA.jpg?h=9e499333&amp;itok=d-L3WCDI" width="540" height="360" alt="Hand made coral nurseries to restore coral reefs" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /> <span class="dam_caption">Coral nurseries are one tool NOAA uses to restore reefs, which are vital habitats for many managed seafood species. Credit: NOAA Fisheries</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-card__content"> <div class="news-card__eyebrow">Podcast</div> <h3 class="news-card__title"> <a href="/podcast/summer-news-roundup" class="header-link news-card__title-link"> <span>Summer News Roundup</span> </a> </h3> <div class="news-card__region"> <div class="regions "> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="mid-atlantic"> <a class="link link--region link--region-mid-atlantic" href="/region/mid-atlantic">New England/Mid-Atlantic</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="national"> <a class="link link--region link--region-national" href="/about-us">National</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__content" id=conservation-and-management> <div class="row"> <div class="subnav-tab__main col-md-12 col-lg-8"> <h2 class="subnav-tab__title">Conservation and Management</h2> <div class="subnav-tab__main-content"> <div class="wyswyg-edit field field--name-field-t1-content field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p>Three federal agencies share responsibility for the protection and conservation of marine mammals.</p><ul><li>NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the management of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions.</li><li>The <a href="https://www.fws.gov/international/laws-treaties-agreements/us-conservation-laws/marine-mammal-protection-act.html">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</a> is responsible for polar bears, walruses, sea otters, manatees, and dugongs.</li><li>The <a href="https://www.mmc.gov/">Marine Mammal Commission</a> provides independent, science-based oversight of federal agencies’ policies and actions addressing human impacts on marine mammals and their ecosystems.</li></ul><h3>Marine Mammal Protection and Take Prohibitions</h3><p>We are responsible for managing the taking of marine mammals through <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permits-and-forms/protected-resources">permits and authorizations</a>. The <a href="/topic/laws-policies#marine-mammal-protection-act">Marine Mammal Protection Act</a> generally prohibits the “take” of marine mammals—including harassment, hunting, capturing, collecting, or killing—in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas. The act makes some exceptions, though:</p><ul><li>Permitted incidental take (e.g., unintentional take) in the commercial fishing industry, managed through the <a href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program">Marine Mammal Authorization Program</a></li><li><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/node/23111">Authorized incidental take</a> during non-fishing activities including oil and gas development, military readiness activities, renewable energy projects, construction projects, and research</li><li><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permits-and-forms/protected-resources">Permitted directed take</a> and import for scientific research, enhancement, commercial or educational photography, and public display</li><li>Permitted import, export, and receipt of parts for scientific research. </li><li>Pre-act determinations for marine mammal parts taken before December 21, 1972</li></ul><p>The prohibition generally does not apply to Alaska natives who live on the Alaskan coast. The <a href="https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/pr/comanagement">MMPA contains provisions allowing for take for subsistence use</a>, or to create and sell handicrafts and clothing without permits or authorizations.</p><h3>Conservation Plans for Depleted Species</h3><p>We are responsible for developing and implementing conservation plans for marine mammal species that are designated as "depleted". <span>Species or populations are considered depleted if they are below their optimum sustainable population level, or are listed as endangered or threatened under the </span><a href="/topic/laws-policies#endangered-species-act"><span>Endangered Species Act</span></a><span>.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/topic/endangered-species-conservation">Learn more about the conservation and management of depleted species</a></p><h3>Commercial Fishing Interactions</h3><p><a href="/topic/bycatch">Fisheries bycatch</a> is the greatest direct cause of marine mammal injury and death. NOAA Fisheries is engaged in many conservation and management actions to reduce the death or injury of marine mammals from commercial fishing operations.</p><h4>Marine Mammal Authorization Program</h4><p>NOAA Fisheries implements the Marine Mammal Authorization Program, which provides exemptions to certain commercial fisheries for the accidental injury or death of marine mammals during fishing operations. The MMPA mandates that each fishery be categorized according to how common these deaths or injuries are there: frequent, occasional, or only remotely likely. This information is published annually in the “<a href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-list-fisheries">list of fisheries.</a>” A vessel owner or operator (or a fisherman working without a vessel) who works in certain categories on the list must register with the Marine Mammal Authorization Program. The program also requires that any death or injury of a marine mammal during commercial fishing operations must be reported to NOAA Fisheries.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-list-fisheries">View our List of Fisheries</a></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program"><span>Learn more about the Marine Mammal Authorization Program</span></a></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/guidelines-safely-deterring-marine-mammals">Proposed guidelines for safely deterring marine mammals</a></p><h4><span>Take Reduction Planning</span></h4><p><span>NOAA Fisheries develops and implements take reduction plans to minimize bycatch of </span><a href="/laws-and-policies/glossary-marine-mammal-protection-act#strategic-and-depleted-stocks"><span>strategic marine mammal stocks</span></a><span>. Each plan is designed to minimize serious injuries and deaths through a combination of voluntary and regulatory measures.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-take-reduction-plans-and-teams"><span>Learn more about the Marine Mammal Take Reduction Program</span></a></p><h4>Fishing Gear Modification</h4><p>To reduce marine mammal bycatch, NOAA Fisheries works with the fishing industry to modify fishing gear and fishing practices. Fishermen and <a href="/topic/fishery-observers">fishery observers</a> report marine mammals’ interactions with fishing gear. Scientists and managers then work with fishermen and gear designers to find ways to reduce marine mammal injury and mortality.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/bycatch/fishing-gear-and-risks-protected-species">Learn more about fishing gear and risks to protected species</a></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/bycatch/bycatch-reduction-engineering-program">Learn more about the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program</a></p><h4>International Fishing Operations</h4><p>We are also working to reduce marine mammal bycatch associated with international commercial fishing by holding nations exporting fish and fish products to the United States to the same standards as U.S. commercial fishing operations. Nations wishing to export fish and fish products to the United States have until 2022 to meet similar marine mammal protection standards to those in place for U.S. fisheries.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/content/noaa-fisheries-establishes-international-marine-mammal-bycatch-criteria-us-imports">Learn more about seafood import requirements</a></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/dolphin-safe"><span>Learn more about Dolphin Safe Tuna (Tuna Tracking and Verification Program)</span></a></p><h3>Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response</h3><p>NOAA Fisheries coordinates the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, which works <span>with trained partners in every coastal state to respond to reports of animals in distress and assess their condition when they are found sick, injured, or dead. Data are collected for inclusion in a national database, contributing to our understanding of marine mammal communities and helping us monitor the health of their populations.</span></p><p>The program has the following components:</p><ul><li>Volunteer stranding response networks managed through a <a href="/directory/marine-mammal-stranding-network-coordinators">national coordinator and regional coordinators</a></li><li>Investigations of <a href="/national/marine-life-in-distress/marine-mammal-unusual-mortality-events">unusual mortality events</a></li><li>Collection and cryogenic <a href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/national-marine-mammal-tissue-bank">storage of marine mammal tissue</a> collected during strandings</li><li>Biomonitoring</li><li>Analytical quality assurance</li></ul><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-life-in-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program">Learn more about the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program</a></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/topic/marine-mammal-protection/our-partners">Learn more about our stranding network partners</a></p><h3>Preventing Harassment</h3><p><span>Feeding or closely interacting with wild animals changes their behavior and puts them at risk. Under the MMPA, </span><em><span><strong>it is illegal to feed, attempt to feed, or otherwise harass marine mammals in the wild</strong>.</span></em><span> There are many ways to </span><a href="/topic/marine-life-viewing-guidelines"><span>view marine mammals responsibly</span></a><span> and enjoy their natural behaviors—we have developed regulations and guidelines with specific recommendations and distances for viewing whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and other marine animals. Our </span><a href="/topic/enforcement"><span>law enforcement officers</span></a><span> work with the U.S. Coast Guard and state natural resource enforcement agencies to ensure compliance and take action when these laws are broken.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/marine-life-distress/frequent-questions-feeding-or-harassing-marine-mammals-wild">Learn more about why it's illegal to feed or harass marine mammals in the wild</a></p></div> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-page-heading"></div> <div id="Conservation and Management-title" class="meta-title">Conservation and Management in Protecting Marine Mammals</div> <div id="Conservation and Management-gt" class="meta-decs">NOAA Fisheries works to protect, conserve, and manage marine mammals through permits and authorizations, take reduction plans, and more. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__sidebar col-md-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="info-links"> <h2 class="info-links__title">More Information </h2> <ul class="list--arrow info-links__links"> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program">Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/grant/john-h-prescott-marine-mammal-rescue-assistance-grant-program">John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/national/marine-life-distress/marine-mammal-unusual-mortality-event-contingency-fund">Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Event Contingency Fund </a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected_species/marine_mammals/task_force.bonneville.html">Sea Lions at Bonneville Dam </a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-policies-guidance-and-regulations">MMPA Regulations, Policies, and Guidance </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__content" id=science> <div class="row"> <div class="subnav-tab__main col-md-12 col-lg-8"> <h2 class="subnav-tab__title">Science</h2> <div class="subnav-tab__main-content"> <div class="wyswyg-edit field field--name-field-t2-content field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p><span>Science is critical to understanding the needs and status of marine mammal populations, as well as the threats to their health and well-being. NOAA Fisheries pursues a scientific understanding of these topics because it is essential to conservation efforts. Examples of our work include assessing and monitoring marine mammal stocks, researching disease agents (e.g., pathogens, parasites, and harmful algal blooms), and developing gear modifications to reduce entanglement and bycatch.</span></p><h3><span>Stock Assessments</span></h3><p><span>The </span><a href="/topic/laws-policies#marine-mammal-protection-act"><span>Marine Mammal Protection Act</span></a><span> defines a marine mammal stock as a group of individuals “of the same species or smaller taxa in a common spatial arrangement that interbreed when mature.” Assessing stocks gives us valuable information on marine mammal population trends, productivity rates, estimates of human-caused mortality and other sources of serious injury, and more. It allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation and recovery measures, and to adjust management approaches as needed.</span></p><p><span>Stock assessment reports for all marine mammals in U.S. waters were first required when the MMPA was amended in 1994. Since that time, all stocks have been reviewed at least every three years or as new information becomes available. Stocks that are </span><a href="/laws-and-policies/glossary-marine-mammal-protection-act#strategic-and-depleted-stocks"><span>designated as strategic</span></a><span>  are reviewed annually. Each draft stock assessment report is peer-reviewed by one of three regional </span><a href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/scientific-review-groups"><span>Scientific Review Groups</span></a><span> and revised and published after a public comment period.</span></p><p><span>Data collection, analysis, and interpretation are conducted through marine mammal research programs at each of our </span><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about-us#where-we-work"><span>Fisheries Science Centers</span></a><span> and by other researchers.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessments"><span>Learn more about marine mammal stock assessments</span></a></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-species-stock"><span>Find the most recent stock assessment reports</span></a></p><h3><span>Field Surveys</span></h3><p><span>Ship-based and aerial surveys are critical to achieving our marine mammal population assessment goals, which include estimating abundance and examining trends and human impacts relative to management objectives. Our </span><a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about-us#where-we-work"><span>science centers</span></a><span> conduct and manage a limited number of marine mammal surveys each year, often with external collaborators. The number of surveys depends on funding and available ship time and flight time.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected-species-surveys"><span>Learn more about our surveys</span></a></p><h3><span>Ocean Acoustics</span></h3><p>The efficiency of sound travel under water has led to increasing concern over how artificial sound potentially impacts the underwater environment. Our scientists support and conduct research to examine these potential impacts on marine animals and to increase understanding of:</p><ul><li>How marine animals use sound</li><li>How underwater acoustics can be used to assess marine animal populations</li><li>How and to what degree human activities are changing the underwater soundscape</li><li>How these changes may potentially impact marine animals in their acoustic habitat</li><li>What measures can be taken to mitigate potential impacts</li></ul><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/sound-ocean">Learn more about ocean acoustics</a></p><h3><span>Climate and Ecosystem Science</span></h3><p>Understanding climate change impacts on living marine resource distribution and occurrence patterns is a high priority for NOAA Fisheries. We know relatively little about the effects of global and regional climate dynamics on species distribution, abundance, and prey availability. The <a href="/deepdive/changing-arctic">Arctic</a> in particular is a window to changing climate patterns and a suitable biological laboratory to observe and record the impacts of receding sea ice, warming sea surface temperatures, and variable energy flow. These impacts all affect key marine ecosystem functions and native tribal communities that depend on Arctic resources for their livelihood and sustenance.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/topic/fisheries-protected-species-and-climate"><span>Learn more about climate-related changes in ocean ecosystems</span></a></p><h3><span>Bycatch Reduction</span></h3><p>Reducing bycatch of protected species can improve the recovery of marine mammals. Together with the fishing industry, we work to minimize bycatch by developing technological solutions and changes in fishing practices. These include gear modifications, avoidance programs, and/or improved fishing practices in commercial and recreational fisheries.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/bycatch/bycatch-reduction-engineering-program">Learn more about the Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program</a></p><h3><span>Marine Mammal Health and Strandings</span></h3><p><span>Marine mammal health is a key indicator of the overall health of our oceans. We and our </span><a href="/report"><span>stranding network partners</span></a><span> perform vital research into causes of death and emerging diseases in marine mammals. </span>This enables biologists to monitor the health of species populations and identify threats. They perform necropsies on freshly dead animals whenever possible. Blood serum, blubber, and tissue tests can provide information on contaminant loads and pathogens. During examinations, biologists also look for clues such as evidence of blunt force trauma (which can be an indicator of ship strikes) or signs of entanglement and fishery interactions. Data from stranding events are collected in a national database, and the information is used to increase our understanding of marine mammal communities and to monitor the health of their populations.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-life-in-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program"><span>Learn more about the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program</span></a></p><h3><span>Photo-Identification Surveys</span></h3><p><span>Marine mammals can often be identified by markings such as blemishes, fin nicks and notches, and scars. Several research programs rely on these markings—visible in images obtained during photo-identification surveys—to distinguish and catalog individual animals.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/finbase-photo-identification-database-system"><span>Learn more about the FinBase photo-identification database system</span></a></p><h3><span>Economics Research</span></h3><p>Species valuation studies enable us to assess the national benefits derived from protected species including marine mammals such as whales, porpoises, and sea lions. Protecting a species through <a href="/topic/laws-policies">laws and policies</a> implies that society considers these species to be valuable. Economics can be used to assess the value that people have for preserving a species for future generations regardless of whether they ever view the species or not.</p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/socioeconomics/protected-species-economics-research">Learn more about p<span>rotected species economics research</span></a></p><h3>Advanced Technologies</h3><p><span>Learn about </span><a href="/deepdive/advanced-technologies"><span>other advanced technologies</span></a><span> used by our scientists—including drones, satellite tagging and tracking, and genetic research—to study marine mammals and other ocean animals.</span></p></div> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-page-heading"></div> <div id="Science-title" class="meta-title">Marine Mammal Protection Science</div> <div id="Science-gt" class="meta-decs">Stock assessments, field surveys, and other scientific research are vital to understanding the needs of marine animals and threats to their health.</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__sidebar col-md-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="info-links"> <h2 class="info-links__title">More Information </h2> <ul class="list--arrow info-links__links"> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/guidelines-assessing-marine-mammal-stocks">Guidelines for Assessing Marine Mammal Stocks </a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-species-stock">Stock Assessment Reports </a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-acoustic-technical-guidance">Marine Mammal Acoustic Technical Guidance</a> </li> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/permits-and-forms#protected-species-permits">Scientific Research Permits</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__content" id=our-partners> <div class="row"> <div class="subnav-tab__main col-md-12 col-lg-8"> <h2 class="subnav-tab__title">Our Partners</h2> <div class="subnav-tab__main-content"> <div class="wyswyg-edit field field--name-field-t3-content field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field--item"><p><span>Conservation groups; academia; tribal nations; and federal, state, and local governments all make important contributions to the protection and conservation of marine mammals. We collaborate with these organizations to minimize harmful effects on marine mammals and work toward their recovery. Together, we and our partners develop and implement conservation strategies, review and make recommendations on activities to help reduce harm to marine mammals, and provide grants to support marine mammal stranding response around the country.  Some of our key partners in protecting marine mammals include:</span></p><ul class="list--arrow"><li><a href="https://www.fws.gov/program/marine-mammals"><span>U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.mmc.gov/"><span>Marine Mammal Commission</span></a><span> </span></li><li><a href="https://www.uscg.mil/Portals/0/Strategy/USCG_OceanGuardian_Final.pdf"><span>U.S. Coast Guard</span></a><span> (PDF, 12 pages)</span></li><li><a href="https://iwc.int/home"><span>International Whaling Commission</span></a></li></ul><h3><span>Marine Mammal Stranding Network</span></h3><p><span>Every year there are thousands of reports of stranded marine mammals throughout the United States. We rely on a national network of stranding responders to respond to these events, investigate, and collect valuable data. </span><a href="/report"><span>Stranding networks have been established in every coastal state</span></a><span> and are largely volunteer. Through a </span><a href="/directory/marine-mammal-stranding-network-coordinators"><span>national coordinator and five regional coordinators</span></a><span>, NOAA Fisheries oversees, coordinates, and authorizes these activities and trains personnel.</span></p><p><span>Public contributions help fund some of our network partners, and some receive program funds from parent agencies or organizations. As network participants, they are eligible to compete for federal funds through the </span><a href="/grant/john-h-prescott-marine-mammal-rescue-assistance-grant-program"><span>Prescott grant program</span></a><span> to support special studies or supplement basic operations.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="/national/marine-life-in-distress/marine-mammal-health-and-stranding-response-program"><span>Learn more about the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program</span></a></p><h3>Co-Management with Alaska Native Organizations</h3><p><span>Co-management involves collaboration between the federal government and Alaska Native organizations to conserve marine mammal populations in Alaska.</span></p><p><span>Co-management efforts have integrated the field skills and traditional/indigenous knowledge of Alaska Native hunters with the scientific and technological expertise of NOAA scientists to better our understanding of marine mammals: their stock structure, status, trends, movement and habitat-use patterns, responses to climate change, animal health and condition, contaminants, and disease. Sampling of Native-harvested animals for scientific purposes (biosampling) has provided tissues for a variety of studies. Education and outreach efforts have trained hunters in good hunting practices and biosampling, and familiarized Alaska Native youth with cultural and subsistence traditions. Such efforts contribute significantly to marine mammal conservation and the maintenance of subsistence cultures.</span></p><p><a class="alt-link--more" href="https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/pr/comanagement"><span>Learn more about the co-management of marine mammals in Alaska</span></a></p></div> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-page-heading"></div> <div id="Our Partners-title" class="meta-title">NOAA's Partners in Protecting Marine Mammals</div> <div id="Our Partners-gt" class="meta-decs">Learn how NOAA Fisheries partners with government agencies, tribal nations, and other organizations to protect and conserve marine mammals. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-tab__sidebar col-md-12 col-lg-4"> <div class="info-links"> <h2 class="info-links__title">More Information </h2> <ul class="list--arrow info-links__links"> <li class="info-links__links-item"> <a class="link" href="/insight/our-partners">NOAA Fisheries' Partners</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12 col-lg-12"> <div class="subnav-tab__content" id=resources> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-title">Marine Mammal Protection Resources</div> <div class="meta-decs">Find documents, data and maps, research, outreach and education materials, and other resources about marine mammal protection.</div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <h2 class="horizontal-row__title--nobold">Documents</h2> <div class="horizontal-list--4-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/document/biological-opinion-us-army-corps-engineers-sitka-cbs-gpip-vessel-haulout-project"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Document</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/document/biological-opinion-us-army-corps-engineers-sitka-cbs-gpip-vessel-haulout-project"> <span>Biological Opinion U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sitka CBS GPIP Vessel Haulout Project, Sitka, Alaska</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Biological Opinion for United States Army Corps of…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/document/conservation-plan-eastern-pacific-stock-northern-fur-seal-laaqudax-2024"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Document</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/document/conservation-plan-eastern-pacific-stock-northern-fur-seal-laaqudax-2024"> <span>Conservation Plan for the Eastern Pacific Stock of Northern Fur Seal (Laaqudax̂) (2024)</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">The 2023 draft conservation plan for northern fur seals has been finalized based on public comments</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/document/final-programmatic-environmental-impact-statement-expenditure-funds-increase-prey"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Document</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/document/final-programmatic-environmental-impact-statement-expenditure-funds-increase-prey"> <span>Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement--Expenditure of Funds to Increase Prey Availability for Southern Resident Killer Whales</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Final programmatic environmental impact statement evaluating effects of funding programs to…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/document/biological-opinion-united-states-army-corps-engineers-furie-cook-inlet-towing-and"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Document</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/document/biological-opinion-united-states-army-corps-engineers-furie-cook-inlet-towing-and"> <span>Biological Opinion United States Army Corps of Engineers Furie Cook Inlet Towing and Drilling, Cook Inlet, Alaska</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) Biological Opinion for United States Army Corps of…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> <a href="/resources/documents?title=&topic%5B1000001391%5D=1000001391&field_species_vocab_target_id=&sort_by=created" class="link link--cta">More Documents</a> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-title">Marine Mammal Protection Resources</div> <div class="meta-decs">Find documents, data and maps, research, outreach and education materials, and other resources about marine mammal protection.</div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <h2 class="horizontal-row__title--nobold">Data & Maps</h2> <div class="horizontal-list--4-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/data/alaska-harbor-seal-data-sets"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Data</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/data/alaska-harbor-seal-data-sets"> <span>Alaska Harbor Seal Data Sets</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">The Alaska Fisheries Science Center's harbor seal data sets are available on the NOAA Fisheries…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/data/noaa-nefsc-north-atlantic-right-whale-acoustic-data-and-annotations"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Data</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/data/noaa-nefsc-north-atlantic-right-whale-acoustic-data-and-annotations"> <span>NOAA NEFSC North Atlantic Right Whale Acoustic Data and Annotations</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">These datasets are a compilation of acoustic data and associated annotation logs, collected in the…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="mid-atlantic"> <a class="link link--region link--region-mid-atlantic" href="/region/mid-atlantic">New England/Mid-Atlantic</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/data/2023-results-steller-sea-lion-surveys-alaska"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Data</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/data/2023-results-steller-sea-lion-surveys-alaska"> <span>2023 Results Of Steller Sea Lion Surveys In Alaska</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">The Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) conducts annual crewed…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/data/2023-gulf-alaska-ecosystem-status-report-brief"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Data</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/data/2023-gulf-alaska-ecosystem-status-report-brief"> <span>2023 Gulf Of Alaska Ecosystem Status Report: In Brief</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">This assessment summarizes and synthesizes climate, biological, and fishing effects on the shelf…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> <a href="/resources/data-and-maps?title=&combine=All&topic%5B1000001391%5D=1000001391&field_species_vocab_target_id=&sort_by=created" class="link link--cta">More Data and Maps</a> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-title">Marine Mammal Protection Resources</div> <div class="meta-decs">Find documents, data and maps, research, outreach and education materials, and other resources about marine mammal protection.</div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <h2 class="horizontal-row__title--nobold">Research</h2> <div class="horizontal-list--4-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/peer-reviewed-research/population-size-estimate-north-atlantic-right-whales"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Peer-Reviewed Research</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/peer-reviewed-research/population-size-estimate-north-atlantic-right-whales"> <span>Population Size Estimate for North Atlantic Right Whales</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Population size estimation of North Atlantic right whales from 1990-2023.</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="mid-atlantic"> <a class="link link--region link--region-mid-atlantic" href="/region/mid-atlantic">New England/Mid-Atlantic</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> <a href="/resources/peer-reviewed-research?title=&topic%5B1000001391%5D=1000001391&field_species_vocab_target_id=&sort_by=created" class="link link--cta">More Research </a> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> </div> </div> <hr> <div class="tab-meta-data hidden"> <div class="meta-title">Marine Mammal Protection Resources</div> <div class="meta-decs">Find documents, data and maps, research, outreach and education materials, and other resources about marine mammal protection.</div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="horizontal-list__container"> <h2 class="horizontal-row__title--nobold">Outreach & Education</h2> <div class="horizontal-list--4-column"> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/educational-materials/marine-mammals-us-west-coast-poster"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Educational Materials</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/educational-materials/marine-mammals-us-west-coast-poster"> <span>Marine Mammals of the U.S. West Coast Poster</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Seeing marine wildlife in their natural environment can be a thrilling experience.</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="west-coast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-west-coast" href="/region/west-coast">West Coast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/outreach-materials/2024-aerial-surveys-steller-sea-lions-and-harbor-seals-alaska"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Outreach Materials</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/outreach-materials/2024-aerial-surveys-steller-sea-lions-and-harbor-seals-alaska"> <span>2024 Aerial Surveys of Steller Sea Lions and Harbor Seals in Alaska</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">Research Brief for 2024 Aerial Surveys of Steller Sea Lions and Harbor Seals in Alaska</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/outreach-materials/handout-marine-mammal-and-turtle-division-southeast-fisheries-science"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Outreach Materials</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/outreach-materials/handout-marine-mammal-and-turtle-division-southeast-fisheries-science"> <span>Handout: Marine Mammal and Turtle Division at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">The Marine Mammal and Turtle Division at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center produces societally…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="southeast"> <a class="link link--region link--region-southeast" href="/region/southeast">Southeast</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__item"> <div about="/resource/outreach-materials/2024-alaska-marine-mammal-field-work-flyer"> <div class="resource-card"> <div class="resource-card__eyebrow">Outreach Materials</div> <h3 class="resource-card__title"> <a class="resource-card__title-link" href="/resource/outreach-materials/2024-alaska-marine-mammal-field-work-flyer"> <span>2024 Alaska Marine Mammal Field Work Flyer</span> </a> </h3> <p class="resource-card__content text--small">The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) of NOAA Fisheries, National Oceanic & Atmospheric…</p> <div class="resource-card__region"> <div class="regions resource-card__meta-link-group"> <div class="regions__vocab"> <span class="alaska"> <a class="link link--region link--region-alaska" href="/region/alaska">Alaska</a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> </div> <div class="horizontal-list__footer"> <a href="/resources/outreach-materials?title=&topic%5B1000001391%5D=1000001391&field_species_vocab_target_id=&sort_by=created" class="link link--cta">More Outreach Materials</a> <br> <a href="/resources/educational-materials?title=&field_topics_vocab_target_id%5B1000001391%5D=1000001391&field_species_vocab_target_id=&sort_by=created" class="link link--cta">More Educational Materials</a> <br> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer role="contentinfo"> <div class="region region-footer"> <nav aria-label="block-noaa-components-footer-menu" id="block-noaa-components-footer"> <a href="#" id="scroll-to-top"><img src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/Scroll-To-Top_Icon@2x.png" alt="Scroll to Top Icon"></a> <div class="footer"> <div class="footer__top"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer__top-signup"> <div class="footer__top-image"> <img src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/Icon_Mail.png" alt="Sign Up Mail Button"> </div> <div class="footer__top-text"> <div class="footer__top-text--heading">Sign up for news and announcements</div> <div class="footer_top-text--subtext">Stay informed of all the latest regional news around NOAA Fisheries</div> </div> <div class="footer__top-button"> <a class="button button--secondary button--nomargin-bottom" href="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNOAAFISHERIES/subscriber/new">Sign Up Now!</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="footer__content"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <div class="footer__main"> <div class="footer__main-content"> <nav class="footer-menu"> <ul class="footer-menu__items row"> <li class="footer-menu__item col-lg-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <a class="footer-menu__title-link" href="/about-us" title="NOAA Fisheries">NOAA Fisheries</a> <ul class="footer-menu__items list--arrow"> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/about-us" title="About Us">About Us</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/topic/laws-policies" title="Laws & Policies">Laws & Policies</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/topic/sustainable-seafood" title="FishWatch">FishWatch</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="https://www.noaa.gov" title="NOAA">NOAA</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="https://www.commerce.gov" title="Department of Commerce">Department of Commerce</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/site-index" title="Site Index">Site Index</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item col-lg-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <a class="footer-menu__title-link" href="/topic/resources-fishing" title="For Fishermen">For Fishermen</a> <ul class="footer-menu__items list--arrow"> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/rules-and-regulations" title="Rules & Regulations">Rules & Regulations</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/permits-and-forms" title="Permits & Forms">Permits & Forms</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/resources-fishing/commercial-fishing" title="Commercial Fishing">Commercial Fishing</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/resources-fishing/recreational-fishing" title="Recreational Fishing">Recreational Fishing</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/topic/fishery-observers" title="Fishery Observers">Fishery Observers</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item col-lg-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <a class="footer-menu__title-link" href="/resources/research" title="For Researchers">For Researchers</a> <ul class="footer-menu__items list--arrow"> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/resources/peer-reviewed-research" title="Published Research">Published Research</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/science-and-data" title="Science & Data">Science & Data</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item col-lg-3 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"> <a class="footer-menu__title-link" href="/contact-us" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a> <ul class="footer-menu__items list--arrow"> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/contact-us" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/contact-directory/media-directory" title="Media Inquiries">Media Inquiries</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/national/enforcement/report-violation" title="Report a Violation">Report a Violation</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="/report" title="Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal">Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal</a> </li> <li class="footer-menu__item"> <a class="footer-menu__link" href="https://nsd.rdc.noaa.gov/" title="NOAA Staff Directory">NOAA Staff Directory</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="footer__social"> <div class="footer__social-title">Follow Us</div> <div class="footer__social-links"> <div class="footer__social-links-item"> <a href="https://twitter.com/@NOAAFisheries" class="footer__social-links-link"><span class="fa-brands fa-x-twitter"></span><span class="sr-only">Twitter</span></a> </div> <div class="footer__social-links-item"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NOAAFisheries" class="footer__social-links-link"><span class="fab fa-facebook-f"></span><span class="sr-only">Facebook</span></a> </div> <div class="footer__social-links-item"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/noaafisheries" class="footer__social-links-link"><span class="fab fa-instagram"></span><span class="sr-only">Instagram</span></a> </div> <div class="footer__social-links-item"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/usnoaafisheriesgov" class="footer__social-links-link"><span class="fab fa-youtube"></span><span class="sr-only">Youtube</span></a> </div> </div> <div class="footer__social-subtitle"> <a href="/site-index" class ="footer__social-subtitle-link">Can't Find What You Need?</a><br> <a href="/video/new-our-website-watch" class ="footer__social-subtitle-link">Tour Our Site</a> </div> <a class="button button--primary footer__social-button" href="https://eex-survey.fr011.ttecfed.com/se/5C342AAB1F117226"> How are we doing? Send us your feedback </a> </div> </div> <div class="footer__bottom"> <div class="footer__logo"> <a href="/"><img src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/noaa_logo_white.png" class="footer__logo-image" alt="NOAA Logo" /></a> <div class="footer__logo-text">Science. Service. Stewardship.</div> </div> <div class="footer__links"> <div class="footer__links-item"><a href="/national/about-us/accessibility-statement" title="Accessibility" class="footer__links-item-link">Accessibility</a></div> | <div class="footer__links-item"><a href="/about/office-equal-employment-opportunity" title="EEO" class="footer__links-item-link">EEO</a></div> | <div class="footer__links-item"><a href="https://www.noaa.gov/foia" title="FOIA" class="footer__links-item-link">FOIA</a></div> | <div class="footer__links-item"><a href="https://www.noaa.gov/information-quality" title="Information Quality" class="footer__links-item-link">Information Quality</a></div> | <div class="footer__links-item"><a href="/website-policies-and-disclaimers" title="Policies & Disclaimer" class="footer__links-item-link">Policies & Disclaimer</a></div> | <div class="footer__links-item"><a href="/privacy-policy" title="Privacy Policy" class="footer__links-item-link">Privacy Policy</a></div> | <div class="footer__links-item"><a href="https://www.usa.gov" title="USA.gov" class="footer__links-item-link">USA.gov</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </footer> </div> <script src="/core/assets/vendor/underscore/underscore-min.js?v=1.13.6"></script> <script src="https://static.addtoany.com/menu/page.js" async></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/addtoany/js/addtoany.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/lazy/js/lazy.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/modules/custom/noaa_extras/js/openwebpagefromquery.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/dest/script.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/scripts/misc.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/themes/custom/noaa_components/scripts/outdated-browser/outdated-browser.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/extlink/js/extlink.js?v=10.3.6"></script> <script src="/themes/contrib/bootstrap/js/drupal.bootstrap.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/themes/contrib/bootstrap/js/attributes.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/themes/contrib/bootstrap/js/theme.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/themes/contrib/bootstrap/js/popover.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/themes/contrib/bootstrap/js/tooltip.js?snikw0"></script> <script src="/modules/custom/noaa_extras/js/spa.js?snikw0"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Marine Mammal Protection | NOAA Fisheries