Re: [Paddlewise] Approaching Marine Mammals

> Here's a URL to Guidelines for Viewing Marine Mammals from the U. S. NOAA,
> specifically in Alaska:
> 
> http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/mmviewingguide.html
> 
> Natalie Wiest


Thanks, Natalie.  For those that might want to know what is considered
harassment under The Marine Mammal Protection Act for all marine mammal 
species in US waters, go to:

http://fak-nts15.fakr.noaa.gov:80/newsreleases/1999/99_06_AKR.htm

This page describes what is defined by harassment and possible fines.
Violations can include fines up to $20,000 (yup, that's twenty thousand 
dollars) fine and/or one year imprisonment.  It's important folks know
this before they decide to start paddling after the marine wildlife.
Also, the Endangered Species Act provides additional protection to those 
marine mammals listed as endangered or threatened.  Several species of 
whales are included in that list.

For more info on the Endangered Species Program at the US Fish & Wildlife
Servcie, go to http://endangered.fws.gov/ and for a list of threatened
and endangered species http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html

For the full text of the Endangered Species Act, go to:

http://endangered.fws.gov/esa.html

Jackie


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