"At a time when Americans are more concerned than ever with conserving our natural resources, this legislation provides the Federal Government with needed authority to protect an irreplaceable part of our national heritage--threatened wildlife." -President Richard Nixon on the Endangered Species Act
State and Federal Laws
Marine Mammal Protection Act
The Marine Mammal Protection Act was a federal law enacted in 1972. This document recognized that marine mammals were in danger of extinction due, in part, to human activities. It outlawed the harassment, capture, or killing of any marine mammals. The MMPA also outlawed the import to, export from, or sale within the United States of any marine mammal or its parts or products. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was placed in charge of conservation and management of pinnipeds and cetaceans, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was deemed responsible for the conservation and management of otters, walruses, polar bears, manatees, and dugongs[3].
Marine Mammal Protection Act
The Marine Mammal Protection Act was a federal law enacted in 1972. This document recognized that marine mammals were in danger of extinction due, in part, to human activities. It outlawed the harassment, capture, or killing of any marine mammals. The MMPA also outlawed the import to, export from, or sale within the United States of any marine mammal or its parts or products. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was placed in charge of conservation and management of pinnipeds and cetaceans, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was deemed responsible for the conservation and management of otters, walruses, polar bears, manatees, and dugongs[3].
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act was passed into law by President Nixon in 1973. Like the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it was one of many environmental conservation laws passed in the 1970s, a decade when the magnitude of negative human impacts on the environment was finally being recognized. The act specified the conditions which would qualify a species for listing. This listing brought special protections to ensure the continuation of the species. Like the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act listed the NOAA and the FWS as the agencies responsible for upholding the law[1].
The Endangered Species Act was passed into law by President Nixon in 1973. Like the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it was one of many environmental conservation laws passed in the 1970s, a decade when the magnitude of negative human impacts on the environment was finally being recognized. The act specified the conditions which would qualify a species for listing. This listing brought special protections to ensure the continuation of the species. Like the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act listed the NOAA and the FWS as the agencies responsible for upholding the law[1].
Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act
The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act was enacted in 1978. This law declared Florida a sanctuary and refuge for manatees. It gave the state, on a county-by-county basis, the right to set boat speed regulations as necessary and to enforce these rules with penalties[2].
The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act was enacted in 1978. This law declared Florida a sanctuary and refuge for manatees. It gave the state, on a county-by-county basis, the right to set boat speed regulations as necessary and to enforce these rules with penalties[2].
Programs
Florida Manatee Recovery Plan
Coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan establishes actions that should be taken to increase manatee populations above endangered status. Some of these actions include setting boat speed limits, posting regulatory speed signs, enforcing these speed laws, acquiring important manatee habitats, creating sanctuaries, conducting manatee research, and educating the public[4].
Coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan establishes actions that should be taken to increase manatee populations above endangered status. Some of these actions include setting boat speed limits, posting regulatory speed signs, enforcing these speed laws, acquiring important manatee habitats, creating sanctuaries, conducting manatee research, and educating the public[4].
Fish and Wildlife Service's Recovery and Rehabilitation Program for Manatees
Injured manatees are sent to zoos to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild once they are healed. Zoos have the knowledge and resources to give the animals the care they need, and people from other parts of the country, who would normally never come in contact with manatees, can learn about them. |
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