January 10, 2026
Legislation to gut the US Marine Mammal Protection Act has been introduced in Congress by Representative Nicholas Begich (R, AK) on the Republican-controlled House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries in the 119th Congress.
The “ARTIST Act” (H.R. 5694/S.254) which focus on exporting Alaska Native handicrafts made from walrus and whale tusks and teeth. While these discussions aim to promote cultural and economic values, they will weaken standards across the board, and we must advocate for the Act’s integrity and purpose to remain intact. This proposal would remove many of the legal barriers preventing the direct and indirect killing of whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals.
Since 1972, this trailblazing animal protection law has saved countless whales, dolphins, seals, sea otters and other marine mammals from harm. Thanks to its strong protective language and enforcement, not a single species covered by the MMPA has gone extinct since the law went into effect.
The wording in the new legislation claims the MMPA “..has, since its enactment and subsequent revisions, unduly and un-necessarily constrained government, tribes, and the regulated community as a result of the application by the Secretary of subjective factors, including the ‘precautionary principle’, when implementing this Act…”
The “precautionary principle” is a well-established, scientific management tool meant to protect species and ecosystems from collapse because of errors and unknowns in scientific harvesting proposals, and other methods of harm. Many marine mammal populations are recovering thanks to policies like the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. But many species, like the Califronia Grey Whael- once thought to be fullyb recobvered friom near extinction- are now suffering from direct human impacts such as ship-strikes, or indirect such as Harmful Algal Blooms, and loss of food as aresult of climate change. in large numbers. Increasing interactions between human industry with more intense overlaps of human and whales along migratory routes, in whale feeding areas, and along coastal habitats, urban ports and harbors like Los Angeles and the Saf Franicsco Bay is increasing risks.
Instead of protecting marine mammal populations at maximum healthy levels, Representative Begichʻs changes would only maintain populations at levels that allow them to survive. These changes would lead to more marine mammals being needlessly killed or injured and pushing some populations, like the critically endangered Northern Right Whale, toward endangerment and extinction.
Redefining Take and Harm
The proposal includes removing existing language that prohibits activities that “have a potential to injure” or “have a potential to disturb,” and instead substitute activities that “disturb” or “injure” animals, which would weaken such protection. Under current language, take can include harrassment or cause harm through indirect impacts such as disturbance or habitat loss.
So, on Tuesday, July 11th, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, a subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources, held a hearing on the proposed legislation. Testimony was heard but th legislation has been delayed by Speaker Mike Johnson, who adjourned the House for the summer recess early. The House will not be in session until Congress convenes after the Labor Day holiday.
Now is the time to take action to defend the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Your members of Congress need to hear from you!
Contact your House Representative and two Senators. Ask them to block any weakening amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) in Congress. The legislation is key to protection of wildlife throughout the United States.
Tell them in your own words why you support protection for humpback whales, sea otters, and other key species protected now by the MMPA and the ESA.
Urge them to vote no on these bills and to urge their fellow members of Congress to also vote no.
For information on contacting your two Senators in Washington DC, go here.
For information on contacting your member of the House of Representatives, go here.
(Most Representative and Senators webpages will have a contact page with information on how to contact them, usually including a form for emails abnd telephone.)
You can also call the Capitol Switchboard (1) 202-224-3121 and ask the operator to connect you with your Representative’s or Senator’s office.
Address Letters to:
Your Representative (Rep. John Doe)
House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Your Senator (Senator John Doe)
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Thank you for your support for our wildlife heritage! We will have more information as the legislation takes shape in Congress and heads to the House and Senate floor for votes.
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
Call your U.S. Representative and tell them not to weaken the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Sample script:
“Hi, my name is
[Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City, State]. I’m calling to ask [Representative Name] to oppose any efforts to weaken the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This landmark law has protected whales, dolphins, sea otters, and other marine mammals for over 50 years — and no species it covers has gone extinct since it was enacted. Proposed changes in the reauthorization bill would seriously undermine these protections and risk extinction of some species. I urge you to reject this reckless bill and stand up for marine mammal conservation.”
Thank you for your support helping defend and protect the marine wildlife we love.