Presidential Letters

The Society for Marine Mammalogy uses 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.

October 17, 2020

Presidential Letter to members of the Government of the Philippines concerning the impacts of development on critically endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins

17 October 2020 HONORABLE MARK A. VILLAR Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways Bonifacio Drive, Port Area Metro Manila, Philippines   Dear Secretary Villar, As President of the Society for Marine Mammalogy, I write to express concern about the potential for the proposed Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Bridges Project to threaten the survival of […]

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August 29, 2020

Taiwanese Government Responds to Presidential Letters Regarding the Taiwanese White Dolphin

The SMM received the following four e-mails regarding our 29 June 2020 Presidential Letter to President Tsai of Taiwan in regards to conservation of the Taiwanese White Dolphin: 1/4 Dear Mr. Gonzalvo and Ms. Pabst: I am writing on behalf of President Tsai Ing-wen to thank you for your email dated June 29 expressing your […]

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June 29, 2020

Joint ECS/SMM Presidential Letter sent to the President Tsai of Taiwan in regards to conservation of the Taiwanese white dolphin

On 29 June 2020, a joint ECS/SMM Presidential Letter was sent to the President Tsai of Taiwan in regards to conservation efforts for the Taiwanese white dolphin. See a copy of the letter sent here. President Tsai Ing-wen Office of the President No. 122, Sec. 1, Chongqing S. Rd., Zhongzheng District Taipei City 10048, Taiwan […]

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March 15, 2020

Presidential Letter to members of the Mozambique government concerning dugong conservation

View a PDF of the letter sent to members of the Mozambique government concerning dugong conservation on 15 March 2020 15 March 2020 Her Excellency Ivete Maibase, Minister of Land and Environment Her Excellency Augusta Maita, Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries Your Excellencies, I am writing to you regarding the conservation of […]

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March 13, 2020

Presidential Letter to President Obrador Response Regarding Vaquita

See letter received from Director General Gonzalez Azuara regarding SMM’s 9 November 2019 Presidential Letter about the vaquita. See the version of this letter sent in Spanish on March 13, 2020 See the version of this letter sent in English on March 13, 2020 Dear President López Obrador, On 9 November 2019 I wrote, on […]

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