Regulation
MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION Act of 1972 - [As amended through 1994]
Findings and Declarations of Policy (16 U.S.C. 1361)
The United States Congress finds that –
(1) certain species and population stocks of marine mammals are, or may be, in danger of extinction or depletion as a
result of man’s activities;
(2) such species and population stocks should not be permitted to diminish beyond the point at which they cease to be a
significant functioning element in the ecosystem of which they are a part, and, consistent with this major objective, they
should not be permitted to diminish below their optimum sustainable population. Further measures should be immediately
taken to replenish any species or population stock which has already diminished below that population. In particular,
efforts should be made to protect essential habitats, including the rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance
for each species of marine mammal from the adverse effect of man’s actions;
(6) marine mammals have proven themselves to be resources of great international significance, esthetic, recreational, as
well as economic, and it is the sense of the Congress that they should be protected and encouraged to develop to the
greatest extent feasible commensurate with the sound policies of resource management and that the primary objective of
their management should be to maintain the health and stability of the marine ecosystem. Whenever consistent with this
primary objective, it should be the goal to obtain an optimum sustainable population keeping in mind the carrying capacity
of the habitat.
Findings and Declarations of Policy (16 U.S.C. 1361)
The United States Congress finds that –
(1) certain species and population stocks of marine mammals are, or may be, in danger of extinction or depletion as a
result of man’s activities;
(2) such species and population stocks should not be permitted to diminish beyond the point at which they cease to be a
significant functioning element in the ecosystem of which they are a part, and, consistent with this major objective, they
should not be permitted to diminish below their optimum sustainable population. Further measures should be immediately
taken to replenish any species or population stock which has already diminished below that population. In particular,
efforts should be made to protect essential habitats, including the rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance
for each species of marine mammal from the adverse effect of man’s actions;
(6) marine mammals have proven themselves to be resources of great international significance, esthetic, recreational, as
well as economic, and it is the sense of the Congress that they should be protected and encouraged to develop to the
greatest extent feasible commensurate with the sound policies of resource management and that the primary objective of
their management should be to maintain the health and stability of the marine ecosystem. Whenever consistent with this
primary objective, it should be the goal to obtain an optimum sustainable population keeping in mind the carrying capacity
of the habitat.
California has recently established a system of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where, in some cases, no collecting is permitted.
Oil spills pose a significant threat to the health and balance of life on rocky shores. Past spills, such as the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay, have deposited oil on coastal rocky shores, including Duxbury Reef. Oil can smother mussel beds and kill acorn barnacles, limpets and other species.
Non-native species have made their way to California's rocky shores and can be especially prevalent near areas with high volumes of shipping traffic, like the San Francisco Bay.
Oil spills pose a significant threat to the health and balance of life on rocky shores. Past spills, such as the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill in San Francisco Bay, have deposited oil on coastal rocky shores, including Duxbury Reef. Oil can smother mussel beds and kill acorn barnacles, limpets and other species.
Non-native species have made their way to California's rocky shores and can be especially prevalent near areas with high volumes of shipping traffic, like the San Francisco Bay.