Randall Cunningham: “I rise in strong support of House Resolution 412. Mr. Speaker, the reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act…”

“I rise in strong support of House Resolution 412. Mr. Speaker, the reauthorization of the Marine Mammal Protection Act has been an arduous task and I would like to thank the chairman and the ranking minority members, Mr. Fields and Mr. Young, for their leadership and guidance throughout this process. Since the MMPA was enacted in 1972, it has served to protect various marine mammal populations in the wild from various human threats. The act also safeguards marine mammals by managing human activities affecting them in their natural habitat. I am aware that there are many sections of this bill that address a myriad of issues, but I would like to focus on one important portion of this bill that deals with the regulation of and interaction of the agencies that oversee the issue of public display. Through the years, there has been much confusion over what role each agency should play. Most recently, this confusion was demonstrated in October, when the National Marine Fisheries Service issued their proposed permit regulations. I would like to thank the chairman and Mr. Young for clarifying the confusion that this proposed rule caused, and for correcting the problem between agencies. The amendments regarding public display are intended to establish a clear public policy regarding the regulation of activities affecting marine mammals in zoological settings.”