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.

August 6, 2014

Québec Premier Responds to Presidential Letter Regarding Cacouna Harbour and Belugas

The Society for Marine Mammalogy received the following response to our June 17, 2014 Presidential Letter concerning Cacouna Harbour and the St. Lawrence River beluga whales from the Premier of Québec: June 23, 2014 Dear Ms. Marsh: On behalf of the Premier of Québec, Mr. Philippe Couillard, I acknowledge receipt of your email dated June […]

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July 24, 2014

Response to Presidential Letter Regarding Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphins

The Society received the following response to its Presidential Letter regarding the Don Sahong Dam and the future of river dolphins, including the critically endangered Mekong population of Irrawaddy dolphins from David B. Shear, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam on June 4, 2014: Dear Ms. Marsh: Thank you for your letter dated May 14, 2014. In […]

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June 17, 2014

Presidential Letter on Cacouna Harbour Project and Beluga Whale Endangerment

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada Monsieur Philippe Couillard Premier ministre du Québec The Honourable Gail Shea Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Monsieur Laurent Lessard Ministre des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs Monsieur David Heurtel Ministre du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques Dear […]

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May 22, 2014

Presidential Letter on Don Sahong Dam and River Dolphins

Mr. Hans Guttman Chief Executive Officer Mekong River Commission Secretariat Vientiane, Lao PDR Minister H.E. Lim Kean Hor Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology Chairperson of Cambodia National Mekong Committee Member of the MRC Council for Cambodia Cambodia Minister H.E. Noulinh Sinbandhit Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Chairperson of Lao National […]

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April 22, 2014

Risk to Cape Verde Humpback Whales from Explosives in the Port of Sai-Rei

Directora Gabinete: Maria Edelmira Carvalho E a DGI: Odete Lima Dias Dr Moises Borges Dr Nuno Ribeiro Sr. Anibal Medina Mrs Sara Maria Duarte Lopes 22 April 2014 Dear Sirs and Madams: The Society for Marine Mammalogy is the world’s largest professional group dedicated to the study of marine mammals, with a membership of approximately […]

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