Some of the ocean's most skilled divers are marine mammals. Sperm whales and elephant seals can stay underwater for almost two hours. Sperm whales have been recorded at depths of more than 9,000 feet and elephant seals at depths greater than 3,000 feet.

Hearing is the most important sense to many marine mammals. In fact, most whales and dolphins rely on clicks, whistles or songs to communicate with each other.

Two of the world's most endangered species of marine mammals live in U.S. waters. There are as few as 300 northern right whales remaining off the U.S. East Coast, and only 1,300 Hawaiian monk seals live and breed at a few locations in the Hawaiian Islands.

In 1994, the gray whale became the only marine mammal species to be removed from the Endangered Species Act list. Almost driven to extinction by commercial whaling in the late 1800's, the gray whale's recovery is a true environmental success story.

Marine mammals are valued by the public for their great aesthetic, recreational and economic significance. For example, towns that historically relied on whaling to sustain their livelihoods now have tourist activities dedicated to whale watching, which has proven to be both educational and profitable. As we discover more about marine mammals, we learn to respect their value to our lives and their role as a vital link in the marine ecosystem.

The loss of marine mammals and their habitat affects everyone. Since our marine resources are in the public trust, they belong to everyone, and we should all work together to preserve marine life for future generations. Without the help of conservation laws and the hard work of numerous people and organizations, this might not be possible.

Marine mammals have become symbols of our changing attitudes toward protecting the environment. Threats to marine mammals have inspired people to take action in their own communities to preserve the oceans, which in turn, helps to protect related ecosystems within the global environment.

The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to protecting marine mammals through research, education, management and enforcement. Proper stewardship of marine species requires that we protect not just the animals, but the entire ecosystem. Habitat protection and species survival go hand in hand. NOAA carries out the missions of important environmental legislation, including the ones listed below.

Marine Mammal Protection Act
Endangered Species Act
National Marine Sanctuaries Act
Coastal Zone Management Act

NOAA works in cooperation with other federal agencies, local governments and conservation groups, to administer these laws. These partnerships help to develop and implement programs that protect marine mammals and their habitats. The primary objective of marine mammal management should be to maintain the health and stability of the marine ecosystem.

Get educated and share your knowledge!

Volunteer your time to non-profit organizations, marine mammal stranding networks, or the National Marine Sanctuary in your area. It's a great way to learn more about marine-related issues.

Conserve resources. Consume less, recycle, compost, properly dispose of non-recyclable trash, and encourage your school and/or workplace to do the same. Thrown away does not mean gone away. Waste products poured down the drain, put in the garbage or left on the ground can become marine debris. Plastic products and other refuse contribute to numerous marine mammal injuries and deaths each year.

Follow all laws and guidelines established to protect marine mammals and their habitat. When choosing recreational activities in the marine environment, remember these helpful suggestions:

Do not feed marine mammals or any other wild animals. It's dangerous for both you and the animals. It is also illegal.

Admire marine mammals from a distance. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens to observe their natural behavior. Marine mammals, like all wild animals, need their space.

Treat marine mammals with caution. Marine mammals are wild, unpredictable animals and should be treated with respect. For their sake, and yours, do not chase, closely approach, or attempt to touch wild marine mammals.

Year of the Ocean Information Line: 1-888-4YOTO98

Year of the Ocean Website: www.yoto.com

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service
Office of Protected Resources
1315 East-West Highway, 13th Floor
Silver Spring, MD 20910,
(301) 713-2289, FAX: (301) 713-0376
Website: kingfish.ssp.nmfs.gov/

NOAA's National Ocean Service
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
National Marine Sanctuaries Division
1305 East-West Highway, 11th Floor
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Website: www.nos.noaa.gov