Presidential Letters

The Society for Marine Mammalogy uses the Presidential Letter process as a mechanism whereby the Society may respond to issues of concern in a timely fashion. The SMM Conservation Committee monitors important marine mammal issues via input from the SMM Board of Governors and the SMM membership.

At the request of the Board of Governors, the Committee will research an issue of concern and develop a position. Based on the consensus view of the Committee, the Chair will draft a letter for signature by the President on behalf of the Society. Such letters and appropriate background and responses are published on the Society’s website.

December 24, 2019

Presidential Letter sent to Director Wieting, NOAA Office of Protected Resources, regarding the endangered southern resident population of killer whales

The following Presidential Letter was sent to Director Wieting, NOAA Office of Protected Resources, regarding the endangered southern resident population of killer whales on 23 December 2019. Read the signed letter sent to Donna Wietling, Director, NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Species 23 December 2019 Donna Wieting, Director NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Species 1315 […]

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November 9, 2019

Presidential Letter to Obrador Concerning the Vaquita

The following Presidential Letter was sent to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President of México, on behalf of the Society for Marine Mammalogy on November 9, 2019 concerning the survival of the vaquita in the Sea of Cortez. See letter sent to President Obrador in English See letter sent to President Obrador in Spanish Lic. […]

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August 9, 2019

Presidential Letter Concerning Conservation of North Atlantic Right Whales

The following Presidential Letter concerning the conservation of North Atlantic right whales was sent to The Hon. Tim Gallaudet, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA Administrator; the Hon. Neil Jacobs, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and […]

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June 27, 2019

Presidential Letter Concerning the Vaquita and Gulf of California World Heritage Site

On 27 June 2019, the following Presidential Letter was sent to Dr. Mechtild Rössler, Director of the World Heritage Center in support of recommending the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California to be inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites in danger. View the Vaquita and Gulf of California World Heritage […]

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November 6, 2018

Presidential Letter to Minister Han concerning recent removals of Critically Endangered Yangtze River finless porpoises for public display

This Presidential letter was sent to the Minister Han expressing concern over recent removals of Critically Endangered Yangtze River finless porpoises for public display.   Dear Minister Han, I am writing to express concern about recent removals of Critically Endangered Yangtze River finless porpoises for public display. China has made an important contribution to conservation […]

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