[CINC] Marine Mammal Protection Act public comment

[Morgan Coffey]

I am sending this because MMPA policy is certainly of interest to my fellow naturalists, and because this is not a request for a petition signature, rather, it is just to inform you that NOAA is currently accepting public comments on an issue that directly relates to our shared interests.
 
Please know that if you choose to submit a comment, it must be on your behalf as a private citizen and have no connection to your affiliation with CINC. 
 
That said,
 
The U.S. Commerce Department is considering banning the imports of foreign swordfish until exporting countries can provide proof that their fishing practices are equally protective of marine mammals - including whales, dolphins, and sea lions - as methods used by U.S. fishermen.  
 
Recent evidence shows that foreign nations kill over 100,000 marine mammals every year. The U.S. can save tens of thousands of whales, dolphins, seals and other wildlife by simply enforcing the Marine Mammal Protection Act!
The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires any country wishing to import fish products into the United States to provide proof that the country's fishing practices do not harm or kill marine mammals in excess of U.S. standards. Recent information, obtained from a Freedom of Information Act request, has revealed that the U.S. government has ignored this mandatory duty for decades. 
 
Public Comment ends January 29th!
HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS:1.    Click Here2.    Enter your first & last name under "Submitter Information"3.    List "Private Citizen" as your "Organization"4.    Cut & Paste the sample comment letter below into "Public Comment or Submission" box or write your ownSAMPLE COMMENT LETTER
Dear Director of the NOAA Office of International Affairs, I respectfully request that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) enforce section 101(a)(2) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).  Please recognize and enforce the intent of the MMPA and immediately ban swordfish imports from foreign countries until:
(1) the U.S. government demands reasonable proof from any nation seeking to export swordfish or swordfish products to the U.S. of the effects on marine mammals of the commercial fishing technology used to obtain swordfish or swordfish products; and
(2) the U.S. government receives such proof and determines that it demonstrates that the swordfish or swordfish products to be imported were not caught with commercial fishing technology that results in the incidental kill or incidental serious injury of marine mammals in excess of U.S. standards.

Thank you,
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