Happy 30th Anniversary, MMPA!

On 21 December CSI joined with many other organizations in a Statement, saying: "Today we and our millions of members nationwide join together to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This act's protections, and 30 years of effort following its passage, have resulted in the continuing survival of many species such as the California sea otter, northern right whale, manatee, and many others that might otherwise be extinct today. This law has been one of the most effective conservation laws in the United States.

"While enactment of the MMPA has resulted in unprecedented conservation gains, there are new and continuing threats to the survival of marine mammals. As we celebrate 30 years of progress, we also look to the future with determination and commitment to protect, strengthen, and fully implement this important law."

This year will bring unprecedented attacks on the MMPA, and many other necessary and hard-won environmental laws. You are probably a member of several organizations that, along with CSI, form the Marine Mammal Protection Coalition. Please respond to any and all of our alerts to contact politicians, when the time comes, to let them know the public does not support the weakening of these significant laws. Long ago CSI learned that politicians might need constituent support, through letters as well as votes, to fend off influential lobbyists. In spite of unrelenting lobbying by military and corporate interests you, the voter, may be the loudest voice politicians will use to form their decision.