|
The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 protects all marine mammals (pinnipeds, whales, and dolphins) (MMPA); the Endangered Species Act (ESA) also protects some individual species. These regulations prohibit any interaction with marine mammals and it is a violation of the MMPA to disturb, harass, touch, move or kill any marine mammal. The MMPA transferred management jurisdiction for pinnipeds from state government to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS); consequently, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has no management authority for these species.
Please see the stranding information page for what to do if you encounter what you believe to be a stranded marine mammal. Please see links below for more information on federal law regarding marine mammals.
|
