Society for Marine Mammalogy

Presidential Letters

The Society for Marine Mammalogy adopted the Presidential Letter process as a mechanism whereby the Society may respond to issues of concern in a timely fashion. The SMM Conservation Committee monitors important marine mammal issues via input from the SMM Board of Governors and the SMM membership.

At the request of the Board of Governors, the Committee will research an issue of concern and develop a position. Based on the consensus view of the Committee, the Chair will draft a letter for signature by the President on behalf of the Society. Such letters and appropriate background and responses are published on the Society's website.

Friday, 19 April 2013 21:16

Letter to New Zealand Prime Minister regarding seismic surveys and Maui's dolphin

Written by Helene Marsh

Rt. Hon. Mr John Key
Prime Minister of New Zealand

Hon. Mr. Nathan Guy
Minister for Primary Industries

Hon. Mr. Nick Smith
Minister of Conservation

Parliament Buildings
Wellington 6011
New Zealand

17 April 2013

Dear Sirs

The Society for Marine Mammalogy is the World's largest professional group dedicated to the study of marine mammals, with a membership of approximately 2,000 scientists from 60 countries. Its goal is to facilitate the understanding and conservation of marine mammals and the ecosystems that support them.

I write to you as President of the Society concerning ongoing seismic surveys within the area of protection for Maui's dolphins Cephalorhynchus hectori maui. The most recent science indicates that only about 55 individuals of this subspecies remain and government agencies are currently considering protection measures to eliminate deaths in fisheries by removing gillnets and trawling from the protected area.

Letter to General Director for Responsible Fishing, Mexico

Written by Helene Marsh

March 4, 2013

Aldo Gerardo Padilla Pestano,
General Director and Coordinator of the Subcommittee for Responsible Fishing

Dear Dr. Pestano,

Thank you for your letter of 18th February describing the very significant actions being taken by the Mexican Government to conserve the Vaquita.

Members of the Society for Marine Mammalogy are delighted to hear of the statutory changes requiring the netting practices to catch shrimp species in waters under the jurisdiction of Mexico to be changed to reduce the incidental take of Vaquita.

Response to Presidential Letter Regarding Maui's Dolphin

Written by Conservation Committee

We received an email response to our presidential letter regarding Maui's dolphin from New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.

From: J Key (MIN)
Sent: Wednesday, 20 February 2013 8:40 AM
To: Marsh, Helene
Subject: RE: letter from Society of Marine Mammalogy re Maui's dolphin

Dear Ms Marsh

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, I acknowledge receipt of your recent email regarding Maui dolphins. Please be assured your comments have been noted.

I note you have also sent your correspondence to Hon Dr Nick Smith, Minister of Conservation, and Hon Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries, which is appropriate as the issue you have raised falls within their portfolio responsibilities.

Thank you for taking the time to write to the Prime Minister.

Regards

L Diehl

Executive Assistant | Office of the Prime Minister
Private Bag 18041 | Parliament Buildings | Wellington 6160 | New Zealand

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Letter to New Zealand Prime Minister regarding seismic surveys and Maui's dolphin

Letter to General Director for Responsible Fishing, Mexico

Response to Presidential Letter Regarding Maui's Dolphin

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