BOOTHBAY HARBOR, Maine (AP) — Republican lawmakers are targeting the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a long-standing piece of legislation credited with helping to save rare whales from extinction. This move comes as conservative leaders feel they have the political backing to modify key aspects of the act, initially established in 1972 to protect marine mammals.
A GOP-led bill, which is currently in development, has already garnered support from fishermen in communities like Maine, who argue the current regulations complicate the lobster fishing industry and other marine operations. Lobbyists representing high-value seafood species, such as tuna and crab, also believe the act is outdated.
However, conservation groups oppose the proposed changes, stating that diluting the law will undo years of progress made toward protecting endangered species, particularly the North Atlantic right whale, whose population is currently below 400 individuals and is vulnerable to fishing entanglements.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act is essential because it grounds our conservation efforts in science, emphasized Kathleen Collins, a marine campaign manager with the International Fund for Animal Welfare. She articulated that past achievements in marine species recovery are linked to this critical law.
Meanwhile, the proposed amendments could open doors for easier regulations, reversing measures intended to prevent accidental harm to fur-bearing marine mammals. A draft of the bill would notably change definitions of harm and repeal provisions that were built to safeguard these vulnerable populations.
Supporters of the changes believe they will enable better management of marine species without compromising the industry’s viability. Democratic lawmakers, however, warn that releasing these constraints could spiral into ecological damage.
As the discussion continues, the fate of the Marine Mammal Protection Act remains under scrutiny, colliding the interests of the fishing industry with the urgency of environmental conservation.
