Bill would add climate change protections for whales and other marine mammals

What does this do?

This bill updates the Marine Mammal Protection Act to require identifying whale, seal, dolphin, and other marine mammal species likely to decline from climate change effects like warming oceans and habitat loss. For listed species, officials must create climate impact management plans covering fishing conflicts, habitat protection, and prey management, with public review, five-year updates, and reports to Congress. It also creates a NOAA monitoring program and requires new listing regulations, barring incomplete data as an excuse to avoid protections.

Who does it affect?

NOAA, the Department of Interior, and the Marine Mammal Commission would gain new duties and funding; fishing industries, coastal communities, conservation groups, scientists, and countries sharing migratory marine mammal populations would also be affected.

Why does it matter?

Fishing operations and coastal communities may need to adjust activities to reduce harm to protected species, and federal agencies must ensure their actions don't conflict with new conservation plans.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• About $16 million per year
• Funded 2027 through 2031

Where does it stand?