In 1946, 14 countries signed the International Whaling Convention
for the regulation of whaling, forming the International Whaling
Commission (IWC). The purpose of the IWC is to protect the future
of whale stocks as a resource.
Members of the IWC are requested to report direct and indirect
catches of small cetaceans, including bottlenose dolphins, as
part of their National Progress Reports on Cetacean Research. For
the
most part, however, these catches go largely unreported (Klinowska,
1991).
B. The IUCN/Species Survival Commission (SSC).
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN)/ Species Survival Commission (SSC) Cetacean Specialist
Group Action Plan contains several projects related to bottlenose
dolphin conservation, including studies of accidental entanglements
(Klinowska, 1991).
C. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 made it illegal
to hunt or harass any marine mammal in U.S. waters.
a. The MMPA
does allow for certain exceptions: native subsistence hunting;
collecting or temporarily restraining marine mammals for
research, education, and public display; and taking restricted
numbers of marine mammals incidentally in the course of fishing
operations.
b. The primary objective of the MMPA is to maintain the health
and stability of the marine ecosystem and to obtain and maintain
an optimum sustainable population of marine mammals.
c. According to the MMPA, all whales and dolphins in U.S. waters
are under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS).
D. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty developed
in 1973 to regulate trade in certain wildlife species. CITES protects
all species of toothed whales. Bottlenose dolphins are listed on
CITES Appendix II. Any trade concerning this species is strictly
controlled (Kiinowska, 1991).
E. Marine zoological parks.
Most people do not have the opportunity to observe bottlenose
dolphins in the wild. The unique opportunity to observe and learn
directly from live animals increases public awareness and appreciation
of wildlife.
In the protected environment of a marine zoological
park, scientists can examine aspects of dolphin biology that
are difficult or impossible
to study in the wild.
