$MC Update

[Dean Ferry]

MMPA Amendment May Roll Back
Manatee Protection


The Issue:
An issue that is now developing concerns Congress’ reauthorization of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Adopted in 1972, it is one of the finest wildlife protection laws in the country and greatly enhances the provisions of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).



An amendment to the MMPA could be proposed that would remove manatees from the protections of this important statute. Federal permits for proposed coastal development projects (marinas and docks, for instance) in manatee habitat would be granted without adequate protection measures such as boat speed zones, on-water enforcement, or signage. With more boats in manatee habitat and insufficient manatee protective regulations, the probability that manatees will be killed or injured by dangerous boat traffic will increase.



This amendment to the MMPA is yet another mean-spirited attempt by special interest groups to roll back manatee protection measures and if the amendment passes, it will set back the recovery of the entire species.



Now is not the time to weaken protections! Last year, 2003, was not a very good year for manatees. Although manatee mortality from boat collisions was down (73 for the year), total manatee deaths were way up (380 – the second highest since record-keeping began). The manatee population simply cannot continue to sustain this kind of mortality without severe repercussions.





What You Can Do:
Please contact President George W. Bush and let him know you want manatees afforded ALL of the protections of the MMPA as well as the ESA.

President George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500
Fax: 202-456-2461
E-mail: president@whitehouse.gov

Thanks for your help on this important NATIONAL issue!


Man, the $MC is getting desperate, they are writing the Pres. directly!
How ludicrous is this, the Manatee is NOT a NATIONAL issue.
Phuck the $MC
Dean

[CigDaze]

Can't wait! It's past time to free the people.


An amendment to the MMPA could be proposed that would remove manatees from the protections of this important statute. Federal permits for proposed coastal development projects (marinas and docks, for instance) in manatee habitat would be granted without adequate protection measures such as boat speed zones, on-water enforcement, or signage. With more boats in manatee habitat and insufficient manatee protective regulations, the probability that manatees will be killed or injured by dangerous boat traffic will increase.

[Iggy]

Last year, 2003, was not a very good year for manatees. Although manatee mortality from boat collisions was down (73 for the year), total manatee deaths were way up (380 – the second highest since record-keeping began).

If Manatee deaths by boats was only 73, how were the other 307 killed????
How the hell would stricter regulations protect the Manatee if boats are the lesser cause of death?
Am I missing something here?

Wait a minute.....they said 2003!
What about 2004 and 2005????? Or are they using those figures to inflate the problem????

[Dean Ferry]

Originally Posted by Iggy

If Manatee deaths by boats was only 73, how were the other 307 killed????
How the hell would stricter regulations protect the Manatee if boats are the lesser cause of death?
Am I missing something here?

Wait a minute.....they said 2003!
What about 2004 and 2005????? Or are they using those figures to inflate the problem????

Iggy,
I wondered the same thing? Are they using old #'s to help their LIES, probobly YES!
Dean

[CigDaze]

Funny though, they always quote the population numbers from 2004. Remember the bad weather count.