The Biological Viability of the Most Endangered Marine Mammals and the Cost-effectiveness of Protection Programs

"The Commission reviewed 22 marine mammal taxa (i.e., species, subspecies, or population stocks) that occur regularly or entirely within U.S. waters and that are either listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act or designated as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The review considered methods for identifying taxa at elevated risk of extinction, evidence regarding their viability, threats to their conservation, and the current status and funding for recovery programs. The review also included an in-depth case study of the cost-effectiveness of recovery efforts for the North Atlantic right whale.

Of the 22 taxa, 2 are not considered to be viable: the Caribbean monk seal is considered extinct and the AT1 population of killer whales appears to be on the verge of extinction. The remaining 20 taxa are considered viable; that is, they can persist and recover if human-related threats are identifi ed and addressed. Historical data indicate that many wild species, including a number of marine mammal taxa, have recovered from low numbers when human-related threats were managed effectively."