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fewer than half of the whale and dolphin populations. Few 

 populations are monitored closely enough to detect declines 

 before they cause jeopardy. There is a clear need for a renewed 

 commitment for long term population monitoring and stock 

 assessment in the MMPA. 



Once depleted populations are identified, the mechanism for 

 habitat management in the current MMPA is conservation or 

 recovery plans. Of the 9 great whale species declared 

 endangered in 1970, only 2 have conservation or recovery plans. 

 While these two plans are fine, they are a drop in the bucket. 

 Furthermore, while the right whale recovery plan recommends ways 

 to reduce the threats posed by vessel collision and fishing 

 gear, these recommendations are not enforced. Marine mammal 

 protection will be better served by redirecting resources from 

 extensive permitting of trivial research takes to stock 

 assessment and conservation plans with some enforcement power. 

 The MMPA must be updated from regulating the intentional takes 

 of the whaling era to an era where a broad array of 

 unintentional impacts threaten marine mammals and the ecosystems 

 upon which they depend. 



