All parts of the animal are protected under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.”

Source: https://mdcoastdispatch.com/2023/01/17/dead-whale-found-on-assateague-necropsy-planned-for-tuesday/

Either way, this newly observed dynamic could have consequences for the region’s marine mammal populations, which have bounced back since the passage of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/12/20/how-a-series-of-gruesome-seal-deaths-on-the-california-coast-led-researchers-to-a-surprise-predator/

In 2021, it expanded the designation to include Rice’s whale, which is also protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Source: https://kiowacountypress.net/content/after-fifth-circuit-ruling-gulf-lease-sales-scheduled-december-20