Protect whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals—reject this extinction plan

Right now, US lawmakers are considering a draft reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) that would undo five decades of progress in protecting whales, dolphins, seals, manatees, polar bears, sea otters, and more.

This discussion draft was introduced by Rep. Nicholas Begich (R-AK) to “modernize” the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)—a bedrock conservation statute established in 1972 in response to alarming marine mammal population declines. As currently proposed, this legislation would gut the legal safeguards that prevent industries from harming marine mammals—lowering the bar from recovery to mere survival and removing the science-based standards that have made the MMPA one of the world’s most effective conservation laws.

If passed, the bill would:

Eliminate key protections for endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale, resident orca whales, and polar bears

Legalize harmful activities across vast ocean areas—such as oil and gas exploration, high-speed vessel traffic, unmanaged commercial fishing, and more

Prevent agencies from taking action unless data is perfect, an impossible standard to meet

Open US markets to seafood from countries that kill marine mammals indiscriminately

Prevent US seafood producers from trading in international markets that hold their catch to higher conservation standards

We cannot let this happen. Send a letter to Congress now >>

The MMPA has worked for more than 50 years—no marine mammal species has gone extinct in US waters since it was enacted. But this bill threatens to reverse all that and leave our beloved marine mammals at risk.

Add your name today and tell Congress: reject this bill. Protect marine mammals, ocean ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them.

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{contact_data~salutation},

As your constituent, I urge you to oppose Rep. Begich’s bill to destroy conservation efforts outlined in the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

The discussion draft spells disaster for whales, seals, otters, and more as the bill aims to weaken take restrictions, putting the lives of marine mammals at risk. Since this bill was enacted in 1972, no marine species in US waters have gone extinct. If this bill were to pass, endangered and threatened species like the North Atlantic right whale, orca, West Indian manatee, and more, will be in danger of going extinct. However, it is not just marine mammals that will suffer. US seafood markets will downgrade, and producers will be unable to sell their catch in international markets with high conservation standards.

Originally a bipartisan bill, the MMPA has been essential in marine conservation efforts. In his draft bill, Rep. Begich proposes weakening marine mammal protection and prioritizing industry over a healthy ocean and competitive seafood market.

To protect marine mammals, safeguard the MMPA, and keep the US seafood industry competitive, please take a stand against Rep. Begich’s bill.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

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