Marine Mammals
Species | Status | Conservation | More Info | Reports & Publications
Overview
Marine mammals are mammals that are well adapted for life in the marine environment. Two major groups of marine mammals are:
- Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises)
- Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses)
All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA); some marine mammals may be designated as "depleted" under the MMPA. Endangered and threatened marine mammals are further protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Status of Marine Mammals
The table below includes marine mammals that have been designated as depleted under the MMPA, including, by default, ESA-listed marine mammals. For non-depleted marine mammals managed under the MMPA, please refer to the second list below.*
(E = "endangered"; T = "threatened"; P = "proposed"; D = "depleted"; C = "candidate"; S = "species of concern"; DL = "delisted"; F = "foreign")
Species | Status |
---|---|
|
C |
|
|
|
P/S/D |
|
E/D |
|
|
|
D |
|
E/D |
|
E/D |
|
E/D (F) |
|
E/D |
|
|
|
E/D |
|
DL |
|
T/D (F) |
|
E/D (F) |
|
E/D |
|
E/D |
|
E/D (F) |
|
|
|
E/D |
|
D |
|
E/D (F) |
|
|
|
D |
|
E/D |
|
E/D |
|
C |
|
C |
|
E/D (F) |
|
C |
|
E/D |
|
E/D (F) |
|
E/D |
|
|
|
D |
|
|
|
D |
|
|
|
E/D T/D |
|
T/D |
Non-Depleted/Non-Candidate Marine Mammals (MMPA)
|
Marine Mammal Conservation
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources works in collaboration with NMFS' Regional Offices, Science Centers, and partners to develop and implement a variety of programs for the protection, conservation, and recovery of the approximately 160 marine mammal stocks listed under the MMPA, including:
- Developing and implementing Conservation Plans for species designated as depleted
- Establishing cooperative agreements with states and Alaska Natives regarding marine mammal resources
- Identifying important research needs to collect appropriate information for management decisions
- Managing the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program
- Administering the national program for display of captive whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions
- Coordinating with the USFWS on issues concerning the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- Administering various authorizations and permits
- Conservation Plans
- Health and Stranding Response Program
- Marine Mammal-Commercial Fisheries Interactions Program
- Ocean Acoustics Program
- Permits and Authorizations for Marine Mammals
- Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing
- Right Whale Mandatory Ship Reporting System
- Stock Assessment Reports (SARs)
- Take Reduction Planning
- Tuna-Dolphin Program / Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP)
*Note: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implements programs and regulations for manatees, polar bears, sea otters, and walruses.