U.S. & Wildlife Service About Marine

All species of marine mammals are Southern protected under the Marine 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 include , , ,­ seals, sea , , polar , sea and marine , , and . Polar bears are provided additional protection under a five-Nation

­international agreement. In the United USFWS States, this agreement is implemented by the provisions­ of the MMPA. The Protection Act ­December 21, 1972; (2) International Jurisdiction for marine mammals­ In general, it is prohibited under the Agreements entered into by the United under the MMPA and ESA is shared MMPA to (1) take, (2) import, and States before December 21, 1972; by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (3) possess, transport, sell, export, (3) natives; (4) scientific (USFWS) and the National Marine or offer to purchase, sell, or export , public display, enhancing­ the ­ Service (NMFS). The marine mammals­ or their products. survival or recovery of a species, and USFWS has jurisdiction for import and incidental take in commercial­ fisheries; export of all marine mammals­ listed In general, exceptions may be made for and (5) waivers granted by the U.S. under CITES. (1) Pre-MMPA specimens taken before Government. The USFWS has jurisdiction over the following marine mammals­ under the MMPA and the ESA:

Common Name Species MMPA ESA CITES Walrus Odobenus rosmarus yes Candidate III

Polar maritimus yes Threatened II

Northern Enhydra lutris kenyoni yes Not listed II • SW Alaska DPS yes Threatened II Enhydra lutris lutris yes Not listed II

Southern sea otter Enhydra lutris nereis yes Threatened I

Marine otter (=) felina yes Endangered I

Dugong dugon yes Endangered I

West Indian Trichechus manatus yes Endangered I

Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis yes Endangered I

West Trichechus senegalensis yes Threatened II A nursing her calf. Alaskan Native Handicrafts 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

Gaylen Rathburn/USFWS 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.

Walrus at Togiak National Wildlife Refuge

The U.S. Endangered­ Species Act The Convention on International Trade wynlok In general, it is prohibited under the in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna ESA to (1) take, (2) import, (3) export, and Flora (4) sell or offer for sale, and (5) possess All cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and or transport­ listed species. porpoises), all sirenians (manatees and dugongs) and several marine Before you travel, you should contact Exceptions may be made for (1) (seals, otters, walrus, and the Canadian CITES Management antique items that are at least 100 polar bears) are protected under Authority (telephone 819-997-1840) years old and have not been modified CITES. and the USFWS Regional Law or repaired using any listed species, Enforcement­ Office (2) Pre-ESA specimens­ acquired on or CITES applies to international (http://www.fws.gov/le/ContactsSites/ before December­ 28, 1973 (that have ­shipments of listed species. It does le_chart.htm) associated with the not entered into commerce­ since that not apply to activities conducted solely of re-entry into the lower 48 time), and (3)­ by permit for scientific within the United States. The USFWS States to obtain information on research and/or enhancement of issues CITES permits for all marine what documents are required for ­propagation or survival if the species mammals protected­ by CITES. your particular situation. Be aware, is endangered or threatened, and also however, that souvenirs or handicrafts­ for zoological exhibition, educational that contain marine mammal parts and ­purposes, and special purposes are created by Native peoples outside ­consistent with the ESA if the species of the United States (e.g., Canada or is threatened. ) may not be imported into the United States. Susanne Miller/USFWS

Polar bear The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has jurisdiction over whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under the MMPA and ESA. International Affairs For further permit information about these Division of Management Authority species, contact: 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 212 Arlington, VA 22203 National Marine Fisheries Service 703/358-2104 or 800/358-2104 Office of Protected Resources, F/PR1 Fax 703/358-2280 1315 East West Highway, Room 13705 e-mail: [email protected] Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 http://www.fws.gov/international phone: 301-427-8401; fax: 301-713-0376 http://www.fws.gov/permits www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits Dugong March 2012