Marine Mammal Commission

Letters and Reports

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) provided the Marine Mammal Commission independent oversight of marine mammal conservation policies and programs being carried out by various federal regulatory agencies. We provide input on proposed regulations, incidental take authorizations, environmental assessments and environmental impact statements, permits, and other authorizations related to the taking and importation of marine mammals, and general policy development for protecting and conserving marine mammals.

Northern elephant seal pup in shallow water.

Northern elephant seal pup in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. (Robert Schwemmer, CINMS, NOAA)

Some of our input is provided formally through letters to other federal agencies and action proponents. We also publish various reports each year and have been called to testify to Congress on specific actions regarding marine mammals and their environment. Lastly, we support marine mammal research through our grants and research program and through Commission-sponsored publications.