Marine Mammal Commission

Congressional Testimony

On several occasions, the Marine Mammal Commission has been called to testify to Congress on specific actions impacting marine mammals and their environment. Past Congressional testimony by the Commission is provided below. The Commission has also organized Congressional briefings on specific topics of interest or concern.

Image of sea otters in water.

Sea otters.

October 25, 2011
Statement of Timothy J. Ragen, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Marine Mammal Commission
Submitted to the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs regarding H.R. 2714 to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow the transport, purchase, and sale of pelts of, and handicrafts, garments, and art produced from, Southcentral and Southeast Alaska northern sea otters that are taken for subsistence purposes.
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October 17, 2011
Statement of Timothy J. Ragen, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Marine Mammal Commission

Submitted to the House Committee on Natural Resources regarding “NOAA’s Steller Sea Lion Science and Fishery Management Restrictions: Does the Science Support the Decisions?”
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June 10, 2010
Statement of Timothy J. Ragen, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Marine Mammal Commission

Submitted to the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife regarding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and its effects on marine mammals.
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Sperm whale

Sperm whale.

August 2, 2007
Statement of John E. Reynolds, III, Ph.D.
Chairman, Marine Mammal Commission

Submitted to the House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans, regarding H.R. 1769, a bill to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to reduce predation on endangered Columbia River salmon.
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July 24, 2003
Statement of David Cottingham
Executive Director, Marine Mammal Commission

Submitted to the House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans for the hearing regarding reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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July 16, 2003
Statement of David Cottingham
Executive Director, Marine Mammal Commission

Submitted to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation regarding reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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Mother manatee and calf image

Mother manatee and calf (Sam Farkas for NOAA OAR photo contest).

June 13, 2002
Statement of John E. Reynolds, III, Ph.D.
Chairman, Marine Mammal Commission

Submitted to the House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans for the hearing regarding reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
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October 11, 2001
Statement of John E. Reynolds, III, Ph.D.
Chairman, Marine Mammal Commission

Submitted to the House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans.
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April 6, 2000
Statement of John E. Reynolds, III, Ph.D.
Chairman, Marine Mammal Commission

Submitted to the House Committee on Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans.
View statement