Marine Mammal Science

Marine mammal science is a diverse field that includes the study of animal behavior, communication, evolution, physiology, ecology, and zoology. Marine mammal scientists (also called marine mammalogists) study the genetics, evolutionary relationships, population structure, community dynamics, anatomy and physiology, behavior and sensory abilities, parasites and disease, geographic distributions, ecological interactions, and management and/or conservation of marine mammal species. Like zoologists, many work to increase the knowledge and understanding of wildlife species. They often conduct field research to learn about the behavior and interactions of marine mammals in their natural environment.[1]

Types of Marine Mammals

There are about 100 species of aquatic or marine mammals that depend on freshwater or the ocean for part or all of their life. Marine mammals are found in marine ecosystems around the globe. They are a diverse group of mammals with unique physical adaptations that allow them to thrive in the marine environment with extreme temperatures, depths, pressure, and darkness. Marine mammals are classified into the following four different taxonomic groups.[2]

Cetaceans

Marine mammals in the cetacean family include whales, dolphins, and porpoises. These animals are completely aquatic, meaning they spend all of their time in the ocean and cannot survive on land.[3]

Pinnipeds

Pinnipeds include seals, sea lions, and walrus and are carnivores that have adapted to an amphibious marine existence. They forage at sea, but most come ashore or onto ice at some time of the year to mate, give birth, suckle their young, or molt. Many of their anatomical features reflect the compromises needed to succeed in both marine and terrestrial environments.[4]

Sirenians

Sirenians include any of the four large aquatic mammalian species now living primarily in tropical waters where food plants grow. The three species of manatee occupy warm latitudes of the coastal Atlantic and associated rivers, and the dugong inhabits the coastlines of the Indian and Pacific oceans.[5]

Marine Fissipeds

Sea otters and polar bears are marine fissipeds. Marine fissipeds are “split-footed” members of the order Carnivora, and are more closely related to terrestrial carnivores, like weasels, than seals or whales. Evolutionary newcomers to the marine environment, these species lack many of the physiologic adaptations to marine life seen in pinnipeds and cetaceans. Both species are considered marine mammals under U.S. laws because of the roles they play in the marine environment.[6]

Marine Mammal Training

Often known as animal trainers, animal care specialists, keepers, or mammalogists; marine mammal trainers are all hands-on marine mammal professionals.   Marine mammal training is a conditioning process through which animals receive mental stimulation, physical exercise, and husbandry care. Animal trainers are responsible for the total mental and physical health of the animals in their care. This includes pool maintenance, water quality, and diet preparation.[7] A marine mammal trainer works daily with large marine mammal species such as dolphins, sea lions, seals, and manatees – most often in zoo or aquarium settings. Marine mammal trainers are responsible for the welfare, both mentally and physically, of their animals. In working with animals such as dolphins, manatees, and sea lions, it is important that trainers have a solid understanding of anatomy, physiology, animal behavior, nutrition, chemistry, and marine biology. Since the knowledge base for marine mammal trainers is broad and encompasses many fields of study, it is recommended that prospective trainers have a background in a scientific field such as animal science, zoology, biology, marine biology, or chemistry; although there are endless degree possibilities that would provide the necessary education.[8]

Marine Mammal Conservation

As some of the top predators of the oceans, marine mammals play an important role in the food web and help ensure balance in the ocean’s ecosystem. Marine mammals face an array of threats from human activities, including bycatch in fishing gear, collision with vessels, depletion of prey resources, climate change, hunting, pollution, disease, and habitat degradation and loss. For these reasons, marine mammals present an array of issues and challenges for conservation and management.[9]

Marine Mammal Protection Act

All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The MMPA makes it illegal to harass, feed, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. The MMPA was passed in 1972 to maintain the health and stability of the marine ecosystem. Marine mammals were in danger of diminishing, some to the point of extinction, as a result of human activities like hunting and fishing. The MMPA protects all marine mammals, including cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), sirenians (manatees and dugongs), sea otters and polar bears within the waters of the United States. The MMPA makes it illegal to “take” marine mammals without a permit. This means people may not harass, feed, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. It also established the Marine Mammal Commission and formalized the marine mammal health and stranding response program to improve responses to strandings and unusual mortality events.[10]

The MMPA was amended in 1994 to require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to use science-based research to assess marine mammal populations. These reports help estimate deaths due to human activity, recover depleted populations, and increase our understanding of marine mammal biology and ecology. The MMPA is managed by the federal government. The National Marine Fisheries Service, part of NOAA within the Department of Commerce, is responsible for managing cetaceans, otariids (eared seals or sea lions), and phocids (true seals). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of the Interior, is responsible for managing odobenids (walruses), sirenians, sea otters, and polar bears. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, part of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), is responsible for regulations managing the facilities that house marine mammals in captivity.[11]

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Citations

1. Marine Mammologist, Discovery of Sounds in the Sea.
2. Marine mammals, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
3. Learn More About Cetaceans, Marine Mammal Center.
4. Seals, Sea Lions, and Walrus: Pinnipeds, Sea Grant Alaska.
5. Sirenian, Encyclopaedia Britannica.
6. Sea Otters and Polar Bears: Marine Fissipeds, Sea Grant Alaska.
7. How To Become A Trainer: Careers With Marine Mammals, International Marine Animal Trainers Association.
8. Marine Mammal Training and Research, NC State University.
9. International Marine Mammal Conservation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
10. Marine Animals and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, The Marine Mammal Center.
11. Marine Animals and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, The Marine Mammal Center.