Baby Elephant Seals

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."