U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

About Marine Mammals

All species of marine mammals are

protected under the Marine Mammal

Protection Act (MMPA), and some also are

protected under the U.S. Endangered

Species Act (ESA) and the Convention on

International Trade in Endangered Species

of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These

animals include whales, dolphins,

porpoises, seals, sea lions, walrus, polar

bears, sea and marine otters, dugongs, and

manatees. Polar bears are provided

additional protection under a five-Nation

international agreement. In the United

States, this agreement is implemented by

the provisions of the MMPA.

Jurisdiction for marine mammals under

the MMPA and ESA is shared by the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the

National Marine Fisheries Service

(NMFS). The USFWS has jurisdiction for

import and export of all marine mammals

listed under CITES. (See table on back.)

The Marine Mammal Protection Act

In general, it is prohibited under the

MMPA to (1) take, (2) import, and

(3) possess, transport, sell, export, or offer

to purchase, sell, or export marine

mammals or their products.

In general, exceptions may be made for

(1) Pre-MMPA specimens taken before

December 21, 1972; (2) International

Agreements entered into by the United

States before December 21, 1972;

(3) Alaska natives; (4) by permit for

scientific research, public display,

enhancing the survival or recovery of a

species, and incidental take in commercial

fisheries; and (5) if a waiver is granted by

the U.S. Government.

The U.S. Endangered Species Act

In general, it is prohibited under the ESA

to (1)take, (2) import, (3) export, (4) sell or

offer for sale, and (5) possess or transport

listed species.

Exceptions may be made for (1) Antique

items that are at least 100 years old and

have not been modified or repaired using

any listed species, (2) Pre-ESA specimens

acquired on or before December 28, 1973

(that have not entered into commerce since

that time), and (3) by permit for scientific

research and/or enhancement of

propagation or survival if the species is

endangered or threatened, and also for

zoological exhibition, educational purposes,

and special purposes consistent with the

ESA if the species is threatened.

The Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and

Flora

All cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and

porpoises), all sirenians (manatees and

dugongs) and several marine carnivores

(seals, otters, walrus, and polar bears) are

protected under CITES.

CITES applies to international shipments

of listed species. It does not apply to

activities conducted solely within the

United States

. The USFWS issues CITES

permits for all marine mammals protected

by CITES.

Authentic Native Alaskan articles of

handicrafts and clothing that contain

marine mammal parts may be purchased

without a permit. A CITES permit from

our office is generally required to export

such items. If you are a U.S. resident

traveling from Alaska through Canada to

the lower 48 states by car, cruise ship, etc.,

you may not need a CITES permit if you

carry the handicraft items as personal

effects in your accompanying baggage.

Before you travel, you should contact the

Canadian CITES Management Authority

(telephone 819-997-1840) and the USFWS

Regional Law Enforcement Office (http://www.le.fws.gov/le_chart.htm)

associated with the port of re-entry into the

lower 48 States to obtain information on

what documents are required for your

particular situation. Be aware, however,

that souvenirs or handicrafts that contain

marine mammal parts and are created by

Native peoples outside of the United States

(e.g., Canada or Greenland) may not be

USFWS imported into the United States.
The NMFS has jurisdiction of all other marine mammals under the MMPA and ESA.

For further permit information about species under jurisdiction of NMFS, contact:

National Marine Fisheries Service

Office of Protected Resources, F/PR1

1315 East West Highway

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

phone: 301-713-2289; fax: 301-713-0376

www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mar_mammals.htm

Common Name

Walrus

Polar bear

Northern sea otter

Southern sea otter

Marine otter

Dugong

West Indian manatee

Amazonian manatee

West African manatee

MMPA

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

ESA

Not listed

Not listed

Not listed

Threatened

Endangered

Endangered

Endangered

Endangered

Threatened

CITES

III

II

II

 I

I

I

I

I

II

Species

Odobenus rosmarus

Ursus maritimus

Enhydra lutris lutris

Enhydra lutris nereis

Lontra (=Lutra) felina

Dugong dugon

Trichechus manatus

Trichechus inunguis

Trichechus senegalensis

The USFWS has jurisdiction over the following marine mammals under the MMPA and the

ESA:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

International Affairs

Division of Management Authority

4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 700

Arlington, VA 22203

703/358-2104 or 800/358-2104

703/358-2281 fax

e-mail: managementauthority@fws.gov

http://international.fws.gov

http://permits.fws.gov

Spring 2003

Sea otter

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