21.03.2013 Views

Protected Species in the Gulf of Mexico - NMFS' Southeast Region ...

Protected Species in the Gulf of Mexico - NMFS' Southeast Region ...

Protected Species in the Gulf of Mexico - NMFS' Southeast Region ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong>Gulf</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong><br />

There are 28 different species <strong>of</strong> mar<strong>in</strong>e<br />

mammals known to occur <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Gulf</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Mexico</strong>. All 28 species are protected under<br />

<strong>the</strong> MMPA and six are also listed as<br />

endangered under <strong>the</strong> ESA (sperm, sei, f<strong>in</strong>,<br />

blue, humpback and North Atlantic right<br />

whales).<br />

Endangered Mar<strong>in</strong>e Mammals<br />

Of <strong>the</strong> six ESA-listed whales, only<br />

endangered sperm whales are considered<br />

to commonly occur. There is a resident<br />

population <strong>of</strong> female sperm whales <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Gulf</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Mexico</strong>, and whales with calves are<br />

sighted frequently.<br />

MARINE MAMMALS

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!