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.
Hon John Key Prime Minister PO Box 18888 Parliament Buildings Wellington, New Zealand New Zealand can act to conserve the New Zealand sea lion Dear Prime Minister: The purpose of this letter is to convey the grave concern held by the Board of the Society for Marine Mammalogy about the future of the New Zealand […]
Rt. Hon. Helen Clark Prime Minister PO Box 18888 Parliament Buildings Wellington New Zealand New Zealand can act to conserve Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins Dear Prime Minister: The recent extinction of the baiji, (Lipotes vexillifer), a river dolphin endemic to China, is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of dolphins and porpoises to human activities. […]
Chief Justice William H. Rhenquist Supreme Court of the United States 1 First Street, NE Washington, DC20543 Dear Justice Rhenquist: The Society for Marine Mammalogy joins numerous conservation groups and wildlife organizations in expressing its concern for the proposed closing of the Smithsonian’s Conservation and Research Center near Front Royal, Virginia.This center is internationally known […]
President Vicente Fox President Constitucional de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos Residencia Official de los Pinos Col San Miguel Chapultepex C.P. 11850 Mexico, D.F. MEXICO Dear President Fox: The Society for Marine Mammalogy is an international society of more than 2000 scientists who study whales, dolphins, porpoise, seals and other marine mammals. It is the largest […]
Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon Presidente Constitucional de Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos Residencia Oficial de Los Piños Mexico DF Mexico Dear President Zedillo: The Society for Marine Mammalogy is an international society of over 1300 scientists who study whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals. It is the largest professional society in the world […]