Brownley Introduces Bill to Protect Marine Mammals from the Climate Crisis

Washington, DC - Today, on Marine Mammal Rescue Day, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) reintroduced the Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act, legislation to strengthen protections for marine mammals and the coastal ecosystems they depend on from the growing threat of the climate crisis.

"Marine mammals are facing unprecedented threats," said Congresswoman Brownley. "The climate crisis is rapidly reshaping our oceans and putting whales, sea otters, polar bears, manatees, and other species at risk.

"For decades, the Marine Mammal Protection Act has served as a cornerstone of our nation's commitment to protecting marine mammals. But the law has not kept pace with the accelerating impacts of climate change. My bill updates that framework by requiring federal agencies to directly address the growing risks climate change poses to marine mammals.

"From sea-level rise and ocean warming to habitat loss and declining biodiversity, the challenges facing our coastal ecosystems are intensifying. These are not distant threats. They are happening now, and they are driven by human activity.

"In coastal communities including Ventura County, we have seen firsthand how fragile these ecosystems have become. Protecting marine mammals means protecting the health of our oceans and the future of our planet.

"We have a responsibility to act. This legislation takes a critical step toward building climate-resilient ocean ecosystems and ensuring marine mammals can survive and thrive for generations to come."

Background

The Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop climate impact management plans for marine mammal species most vulnerable to climate change. These plans would identify and implement strategies to mitigate climate-driven risks and improve long-term species resilience.

Read the text of the bill here.

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Issues: 119th Congress, Climate Crisis, Environment