Survey of Federally-Funded Marine Mammal Research and Conservation

Posted on July 14, 2016

The Marine Mammal Commission, as part of its duties under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), conducts a survey of federal agencies to determine the nature of the marine mammal research and conservation these agencies conduct and fund. The survey asks agencies to describe their marine mammal-related activities, including information on the nature of the research, the species and areas studied, the threats and issues addressed, and the funding expended.

The most recent report for Fiscal Year 2014 was released on 20 April 2016 and is available for download on the MMC website. The Department of Navy allocated $29.6M for 180 marine mammal research and conservation projects in FY14, accounting for 22% of all US Federal funding for marine mammal research and conservation (including administrative support costs) and 32% of all direct project expenditures. Within the Navy, research and conservation of marine mammals is funded primarily by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Living Marine Resources (LMR) program, the Navy’s Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, and its Systems Commands.