Department of Commerce NOAA Fisheries
Office for Law Enforcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2004

NOAA FISHERIES RECEIVE REPORTS OF MARINE MAMMAL SHOOTING
Agency Requests Information from Residents

The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Law Enforcement Field Office in Petersburg, Alaska, has received complaints of marine mammals having been illegally shot or shot at over the past several months.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 is a federal law established to protect seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales and all other species of marine mammals. Under the MMPA and its corresponding regulations, it is illegal to harass, shoot, pursue or feed marine mammals in the wild. A violation of the act is considered a "take" and can result in civil penalties of up to $12,000 and criminal fines of up to $20,000 and jail time.

NOAA's Office for Law Enforcement is asking anyone who has any information about these crimes to contact the field office in Petersburg at (907) 772-2285 or the national hotline at (800) 853-1964. Any person who provides information that results in a conviction may be eligible for a $2,500 reward.

NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources through scientific research, management, enforcement and the conservation of marine mammals and other protected marine species and their habitat.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources.