LESSON 2 - SeaTrek Programs

Lesson 6
Conservation Captured
There are now several laws and treaties in place to deal with some of the more serious problems
found in Sarasota Bay. The list of laws is long, but a few have particular applicability to Sarasota Bay.
• The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act is designed to reduce the risk of disease
to users of coastal waters (including the Great Lakes). This legislation authorizes the U.S. Environmental
Protection Act (EPA) to work with the states to conduct testing and monitoring activities and to devise programs
that will reduce the volume of debris.
• National Marine Debris Monitoring Program provides an excellent opportunity for concerned individuals
and organizations to be directly involved, as citizen scientists, in a nationwide scientific effort to reduce
and prevent trash and litter in our oceans and on our beaches.
• The Shore Protection Act of 1989 regulates transportation of solid wastes.
• The Clean Water Act, as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987. This program has numerous
regulations that deal with sewer overflows and storm water discharges.
• The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 prohibits the pursuit or harassment of marine mammals in
U.S. waters.
All of the mentioned factors are a threat to the bottlenose dolphin population of Sarasota Bay. But,
as you have learned, some organizations, such as Mote Marine Laboratory and Brookfield Zoological Society,
are working very hard to try to find solutions for these problems and answers to how we can help conserve
one of the most infamous wild dolphin populations in the world.
www.seatrek.org
V08/50531
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