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.
The Society was asked by the Government of Mexico (SEMARNAT and International Affairs) to review an impact statement on a proposed dredging project for phosphatic black sands off the Pacific coast of Baja. We accepted this request and referred the review to the Chairs of our Committee of Scientific Advisers (Doug Wartzok) and Conservation Committee […]
This Presidential letter was sent to the Government of India expressing concern over a Bill creating a new waterways development program. Natchiket Kelkar alerted the Society for Marine Mammalogy to the potential danger of this project for Ganges River Dolphins. Our letter expresses the SMM’s concern for the survival of the Ganges River Dolphin. The […]
Excelentísimo Señor Peña Nieto Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos Los Pinos, México Excelentísimo Señor Martinez y Martinez Secretario de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación December 22, 2014 Excelentísimo Señor Presidente, Excelentísimo Señor Secretario: The Society for Marine Mammalogy has contacted the Government of Mexico 5 times since 1998 with the […]
31 August, 2014 Mrs Marsh, On behalf of the minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, we answer your letter underlining your concern about the threats to the St. Lawrence beluga whale population linked to the proposed Cacouna Harbour. Our government is effectively aware that this isolated population is threatened. In Québec, beluga management is under […]
The Society for Marine Mammalogy received the following response from the Office of the Prime Minister in Ottawa regarding our June 17, 2014 Presidential Letter concerning Cacouna Harbor and the St. Lawrence beluga whale habitat July 11, 2014 Dear Ms. Marsh: I would like to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence of June 17 addressed to […]