Final polices and best practices : marine mammal stranding response, rehabilitation, and release : standards for release Marine mammal stranding response, rehabilitation, and release Standards for release Best practices for marine mammal response, rehabilitation and release

"Rescue, rehabilitation, and release of wild marine mammals is allowed for authorized individuals under listed conditions by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) [16 U.S.C. 1379 109(h)]. Section 402(a) of Title IV of the MMPA specifically mandates that 'The Secretary shall... provide guidance for determining at what point a rehabilitated marine mammal is releasable to the wild' [16 U.S.C. 1421 402(a)]. This document fulfills the statutory mandate and is not intended to replace marine mammal laws or regulations. In accordance with the MMPA, these guidelines were developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in consultation with marine mammal experts through review and public comment on the 1997 draft NOAA Technical Memorandum 'Release of Stranded Marine Mammals to the Wild: Background, Preparation, and Release Criteria.' Comments from the public review process and other outstanding issues were compiled by NMFS and FWS. The agencies consulted with experts in three areas: cetaceans, pinnipeds and sea otters, and manatees. The experts reviewed and discussed the public comments and provided individual recommendations. This current document encompasses revisions and updates to the 1997 draft and is titled differently"--Introduction. prepared by Janet E. Whaley, Rose Borkowski ; edited by Janet E. Whaley. "February 2009." System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Includes bibliographical references. 2009 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) Library Public Domain 1862