Essay on Marine Mammals

Submitted By Pikachu2003
Words: 1376
Pages: 6
Open Document
Marine Mammal Conservation
COM/172-Elements of University Composition and Communications II
July 28, 2013
Timothy Toole

Marine Mammal Conservation
There are 29 marine mammals on the endangered and threatened list produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The US Fisheries and Wildlife foundation also have a list that includes certain seals, sea otters, and polar bears. There are many threats to marine mammals. These threats include dangers posed by humans and the environment. There are laws in place to help protect marine mammals from further dangers. Captivity has brought forth much controversy as to dangers it may pose to marine mammals. Marine mammal habitat conservation may be the only answer to protecting marine mammal life.
There are five characteristic that an animal must possess to be classified as a mammal. These characteristics include being warm-blooded, having hair or fur, having the ability to breathe air through lungs, the ability to bear live young, and the ability to nurse their young with milk produced by mammary glands (The Marine Mammal Center, 2013). Marine mammals also have a thick layer of fat called blubber that they rely on to keep them warm in the water. They have the ability to store up extra oxygen to aid them in staying under water for extended periods of time. Marine mammals spend a lot of time swimming, their bodies are streamlined to help them swim faster. One of the most important characteristics of marine mammals is their ability to direct their blood flow to their heart and lungs and slow their heartbeat down to preserve oxygen when diving (The Marine Mammal Center, 2013). There are five groups of marine mammals. Pinnipeds, Cetaceans, Sirenians, Polar Bears and Sea Otters. The Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration lists 29 different species on their list as of July 2, 2013. Their list includes threatened and endangered species in the US and foreign species as well (The Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2013). The US Fisheries and Wildlife Administration also lists Polar Bears, Manatees, Sea Otters, and some species of Whales on their list (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2013).
In 1972 Congress passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Marine Mammal Protection Act is based on the following according to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2013), “Some marine mammal species or stocks may be in danger of extinction or depletion as a result of human activities; These species or stocks must not be permitted to fall below their optimal sustainable population level; Measures should be taken to replenish these species or stocks; Marine mammals have proven to be resources of great international significance” (para 1). This was amended in 1994. The following was added according to The NOAA, “Certain exceptions to the take prohibitions, including for small take incidental to specified activities, when access by Alaska Natives to marine mammal subsistence resources can be preserved, and programs and authorization for scientific research; A program to authorize the taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations; Preparation of stock assessments for all marine mammal stocks in waters under US jurisdiction; and studies of Pinniped-fishery interactions” (para. 2). There are also international laws in effect to protect marine mammals as well. Unfortunately, there are still many threatened and endangered marine mammals today.
There are many threats to marine mammal life. Humans pose a huge threat to these mammals. Fishing nets pose a major threat to marine mammals. Marine mammals who get caught in the nets are often unable to surface for the air they require in order to breath. Fishing nets such as, gill nets, trawling, and drift nets often catch marine mammals and cause them to be towed behind the boat. On occasion, the nets break loose but the marine mammal is still tangled in the net. This
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Marine Mammals

Marine Mammals In Captivity

The public display industry captures many species of marine mammals from the wild, especially whales and dolphins. None of these animals should be taken from the wild simply to entertain and amuse people, for a number of reasons. X Like any other zoo or sanctuary, countless marine mammal exhibitions impose the needs of the visiting public before the needs of the animals. Most of the enclosures have the purpose to keep the animals always visible, but not comfortable. Many die far short from their…

Words 461 - Pages 2

The Navy's Marine Mammal Study

other than PETA, felt something was morally wrong. The Navy's Marine Mammal Program began in 1960 with two goals. First, the Navy wanted to study the sonar capabilities of dolphins and beluga whales to learn how to design better methods of detecting objects underwater, and to improve the speed of their boats and submarines by researching dolphins. In addition, the Navy also trained dolphins, beluga whales, sea lions and other marine mammals to perform different underwater…

Words 225 - Pages 1

Why Do Marine Mammals Deserve To Be In Sea-Aquariums?

my high school class was that marine mammals do not belong in captivities, or in sea-aquariums. Some people think that it is not right for the animals because they have feelings too, and others think about the money. The ones who think about the money are the ones who own sea-aquariums and will get a lot of visitors who would like to see a giant whale for the first time. Here in Florida most tourists go to the Miami Sea-aquarium and I went there too. Marine mammals deserve to be in the ocean where…

Words 1233 - Pages 5

Argumentative Essay On Marine Animal Captivity

people can see a performance with tricks and splashing. Captivity has harmed marine animals for centuries and has become a reoccurring problem in places like SeaWorld. There is not an understanding of why people enjoy seeing abused animals held in captivity for their enjoyment. Captivity and animal abuse has been an evolving issue for years and in the marine world captivity is the most dangerous thing for healthy marine mammals. SeaWorld’s inhumane manner of care must cease and instead should refocus…

Words 1313 - Pages 6

Dolphin and New Dolphin Friend Essay

dolphin’s next moves. Even the chilly morning breeze was like an icy perfume; it was refreshing, and I felt more alive than ever. ptivity causes many health problems in marine mammals. Many tanks have water full of chemicals and bacteria; this results in blindness and many skin problems in dolphins and other marine mammals. Marine mammals in captivity die from pneumonia, ulcers and other stress-related diseases. Most of these helpless creatures suffer from boredom. Dolphins in the wild can swim up to…

Words 349 - Pages 2

Inuits Research Paper

Benefits that Cause Harm (1)The Inuit lifestyle contains many different cultural aspects to it. Some of these include the marine diet, hunting, and traditional beliefs. There has been issues regarding pollution in the Arctic and they come from harmful chemicals that travels to the north (Cone 357). These chemicals include PCBs, chlordane, toxaphene, and DDT (Cone 357). Because these chemicals exist in the diet that most Inuits currently follow, many are wondering if Inuits should still stay with…

Words 1861 - Pages 8

Marine Biology Research Paper

What is marine biology? This is a question many people may feel like they can answer but few will correctly. There is a whole lot more to it than just throwing on some scuba gear and swimming with the fish. This is actually a job that will require extensive oceanic knowledge and an impressive degree. The formal definition of marine biology is; a branch of marine science involving the study of animals and plants that live in the ocean and the shoreline and how they interact with the environment.…

Words 945 - Pages 4

Invisible Sea Monster Research Paper

The Invisible Sea Monster: The Consequence of Sonar Use on Marine Life With the birth of marine warfare, the military struggled with seeing underneath the water. They needed a way to map the ocean to find old shipwrecks or to navigate around oceanic structures and a way to locate potential enemies. This search came with the answer of sonar. Sonar use has grown and developed over the years and the consequences are now being recognized. Whale and dolphin strandings have been recorded near Naval…

Words 1759 - Pages 8

Gas Exchange Papers

include mammals, insects and…

Words 1414 - Pages 6

Save the Manatees Essay

Background Information The Marine Mammal Protection Act was enacted in October 21, 1972. The act protects the taking of marine mammals, in response to some animals reaching endangerment or near extinction. This act does not cover the protection or safety of animals. The fishing or capture is illegal but holds no substantial punishment for its abuse. Currently, large fines may be placed upon infringement, with no possibility of sentencing. One center of life surrounding mammal life in shallow water is…

Words 955 - Pages 4