The Consortium for Ocean Leadership applauds Hawaii Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-1st) for introducing the National Marine Mammal Research Program Act of 2008 (H.R.5106).  The bill will create a national marine mammal research program to be administered by the Marine Mammal Commission.  Implementation of this research program will greatly improve our understanding of marine mammals, especially the impact sound has on these animals.  

The need for increased support for marine mammal research was identified by the National Research Council (NRC) and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP). In their most recent report to Congress, the Marine Mammal Commission stated as their first recommendation: “Establish a coordinated national research program on the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals and the marine environment.”

“Marine mammals deal with major threats in the ocean, including entanglement in fishing gear, contaminants, harmful algal blooms, disease, habitat loss, and environmental change,” said Robert B. Gagosian, President & CEO of Ocean Leadership.  “Understanding the biology of these animals will provide the federal agencies with the tools to develop conservation and management protocols that will allow the military and maritime industries to coexist with marine mammals.”

The Marine Mammal Research Program Act would codify an existing interagency coordinating committee with representatives from the Navy, Minerals Management Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Science Foundation, Marine Mammal Commission, research community and the environmental community.  This committee would develop a national marine mammal research priority plan that serves as the blueprint for a competitive program to undertake the science identified in the plan.

The USCOP, the NRC and the Marine Mammal Commission all recognize the significant gaps in our understanding of marine mammal science.  H.R.5106 will fill these gaps, and the information will further marine mammal conservation efforts and improve mitigation measures used by the military and ocean industries. 

Ocean Leadership is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization that represents 95 of the leading public and private ocean research education institutions, aquaria and industry with the mission to advance research, education and sound ocean policy.  The organization also manages ocean research and education programs in areas of scientific ocean drilling, ocean observing, ocean exploration, and ocean partnerships.