| Discussion topics: | bycatch, stranding, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora |
| Guest speaker: | Dr. Michael Moore, Director of the WHOI Marine Mammal Center |
| Website: | WHOI Marine Mammal Center |
| Reading: |
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Background material and links:
- Boston Globe: Chasing Bayla - Michael Moore
- Oceanus Magazine: Michael Moore
- Marine Mammal Commission: Marine mammal legislation and agreements (including the full text of the MMPA, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES))
- CITES: Conservation of cetaceans, trade in cetacean specimens and the relationship with the International Whaling Commission and new listing of sharks and manta rays.
- Also interesting is the Q&A of CITES species by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
- In the United States, CITES protections are integrated in to the Lacey Act and the Pelly Amendment. The Department of Justice website provides information on the prosecution of federal wildlife crimes. The Endangered Species Act Penalty Schedule also includes penalty amounts for trade in violation of CITES (see page 2). Recent examples: (1) as required by the Pelly Amendment, President Obama directs federal agencies to take action in response to Iceland's international trade in whale meat and products and (2) A Maryland waterman pleads guilty in federal striped bass poaching case for attempting to violate the Lacey Act.
- Marine conservation mechanisms: background material for all weeks
