Marine Mammal Preservation and Recovery Act of 2003

The Marine Mammal Preservation and Recovery Act of 2003 proposes several updates to federal law to increase protections for whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine life. The bill would ban traveling marine mammal exhibits, tighten restrictions on the import and export of marine mammal products, and increase fines for those who violate conservation laws.

For the public, this legislation would expand government efforts to rescue animals entangled in fishing gear and provide more funding for research into how human activities and environmental changes affect marine ecosystems. Additionally, it would require the development of specific safety plans to prevent ships from striking endangered North Atlantic right whales and offer financial incentives for commercial fishers to switch to gear that is safer for marine wildlife.