Published: October 13, 2025, 22:35 EDT

Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill seeking to loosen parts of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), a landmark U.S. law that has safeguarded whales, seals, and polar bears for over half a century. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from environmental groups, who warn that weakening the act could reverse decades of conservation progress.

A 50-Year-Old Conservation Milestone Under Review

Enacted in 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act was designed to halt the rapid decline of marine species like whales and seals by prohibiting hunting, capture, or harassment within U.S. waters. It remains one of the most influential wildlife protection laws in the world, credited with reviving populations once driven close to extinction.

Conservation advocates say the law’s scientific approach has been pivotal. “The Marine Mammal Protection Act is one of our bedrock laws that helps base conservation measures on the best available science,” said Kathleen Collins of the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

The law predates the Endangered Species Act by a year and grew out of the global movement to save whales from industrial hunting. At the time, public awareness soared after scientists discovered whales could communicate through song — a revelation that inspired widespread empathy and cultural change.

Proposed Amendments Aim to Reduce Industry Restrictions

The new proposal, introduced by Republican Representative Nick Begich of Alaska, argues that the MMPA has placed “undue constraints” on fishermen, tribes, and marine industries. The bill seeks to revise population goals for marine mammals and narrow the legal definition of what constitutes “harassment.”

Currently, the law defines harassment as any activity with the potential to injure marine mammals. The proposed change would limit that definition to only actions that actually cause injury — a shift that critics say could make it harder to protect vulnerable species.

Environmental organizations warn that such a change could endanger species like the Rice’s whale, which numbers only a few dozen in the Gulf of Mexico. The bill also includes a clause delaying certain North Atlantic right whale protections until 2035, a move conservationists call devastating for a species already down to fewer than 400 individuals.

Begich has said he aims to “protect marine mammals while ensuring policies work for those who live and work alongside them,” but his office declined to comment further on the bill’s progress in Congress.

Fishing and Marine Industries Push for Reform

Support for the legislation comes from a coalition of U.S. fishing groups, particularly in Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii, where industry leaders argue that the law no longer reflects current realities.

In a July letter to the House of Representatives, fishing groups praised the effort as “a positive and necessary step for the success of American fisheries.”

Virginia Olsen, political director of the Maine Lobstering Union, said the MMPA’s restrictions on lobster fishing have made it difficult to sustain one of Maine’s key industries. “We do not want to see marine mammals harmed,” Olsen said. “But we need a healthy ocean and a balanced policy that supports Maine’s heritage fishery.”

Under existing rules, Maine lobstermen must comply with gear regulations and seasonal closures aimed at preventing whale entanglements. Olsen and other industry figures contend these restrictions offer little measurable benefit to the right whale population.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association has also urged lawmakers to modernize the law, saying outdated provisions hinder innovation in marine technology and environmental compliance.

Environmental Advocates Warn of Long-Term Damage

Environmentalists say rolling back the Marine Mammal Protection Act would undermine decades of progress. Many see the proposal as part of a broader push to relax federal environmental regulations that began under the Trump administration.

“The Marine Mammal Protection Act is flexible and effective. We don’t need to overhaul it,” said Gib Brogan, senior campaign director at Oceana, adding that the law has helped restore species such as humpback whales, once on the brink of extinction.

Experts also warn that revising definitions of harm could complicate oversight of industries like offshore drilling, shipping, and oil exploration — sectors often linked to collisions and noise pollution affecting whale populations.

Debate Over Imports and Global Seafood Trade

The law not only governs U.S. fisheries but also restricts imports of seafood from countries that fail to meet similar standards. Those provisions have become a flashpoint for the seafood trade, as they can result in embargoes against foreign suppliers.

The National Fisheries Institute, representing U.S. seafood importers, argues that these restrictions penalize domestic businesses. “Our fisheries are well-regulated and responsibly managed,” said Gavin Gibbons, the institute’s chief strategy officer. “We can’t expect fishermen to catch more here to offset import limits without jeopardizing sustainability.”

Gibbons emphasized that the group supports the act’s goals but wants “responsible implementation” that recognizes the global nature of the seafood supply chain.

However, conservationists warn that loosening U.S. import standards could allow poorly regulated foreign fisheries to flood the market, undermining global sustainability efforts.

What’s Next for the Marine Mammal Protection Act

The proposed amendments are still under discussion in Congress, with no timeline for a formal vote. Lawmakers from coastal states are expected to weigh in heavily, as the debate touches on both environmental and economic priorities.

While industry groups see modernization as essential for business growth, conservation advocates view it as a step backward that could endanger marine biodiversity and weaken the United States’ international environmental leadership.

As the political battle continues, one fact remains clear: the Marine Mammal Protection Act — a 50-year-old cornerstone of U.S. conservation policy — faces its most significant challenge in decades.

Source: AP News – Republicans try to weaken 50-year-old law protecting whales, seals and polar bears

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A powerful volcanic eruption in Indonesia has disrupted air travel across Southeast Asia after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki blasted a towering column of ash more than six miles into the sky, grounding dozens of flights in and out of Bali and prompting evacuations in nearby villages.

A Dramatic Eruption Over Flores

The eruption occurred at 5:35 p.m. local time on Tuesday, when Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, located on Flores Island in south-central Indonesia, unleashed a massive ash plume reaching 6.8 miles (11 kilometers) high, according to the country’s Geological Agency.

Dramatic images showed a mushroom-shaped, orange-tinged cloud stretching into the sky and blanketing the nearby village of Talibura. The plume was visible as far as 93 miles (150 kilometers) away.

Authorities immediately raised the alert level to its highest and urged tourists and locals to steer clear of the danger zone surrounding the volcano.

Flights Delayed and Canceled Across Asia-Pacific

The eruption has had a ripple effect on regional travel, with dozens of flights to and from Bali canceled or delayed. Denpasar International Airport flagged the disruptions as “due to volcano” on its official website. Affected routes included not only domestic flights to Jakarta and Lombok but also international flights to Australia, China, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Singapore’s Changi Airport confirmed cancellations by Jetstar, Scoot, and AirAsia, including a midday flight to Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport, closer to the eruption zone, was closed until Thursday for passenger safety, according to AirNav, Indonesia’s air navigation authority.

Stranded Tourists Scramble — and Reflect

The travel chaos left many holidaymakers scrambling for alternatives. Among them were Singaporean tourists Athirah Rosli, 31, and her husband Fadzly Yohannes, 33, who woke up to find their return flight canceled.

“My first reaction was annoyed and panicked,” Rosli told CNN. “But I calmed down almost immediately. We rebooked flights, found new accommodation, sorted out insurance — and then just had breakfast.”

In hindsight, she added, “It was a blessing in disguise that we’re safe and well.”

Ongoing Volcanic Activity

The eruption isn’t an isolated event. Officials say volcanic activity at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki has surged, with 50 incidents recorded in just two hours — a major spike from the usual 8 to 10 daily.

On Wednesday morning, the volcano erupted again, though with a smaller ash column of about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer). Residents from two nearby villages were evacuated, and authorities have set up an 8-kilometer (5-mile) exclusion zone around the crater. They’ve also warned about the risk of lava flows triggered by heavy rain mixing with volcanic debris in nearby rivers.

A Pattern of Eruptions and Disruptions

This is far from the first time Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki has disrupted life in Indonesia. It last erupted in May, prompting a similar elevation in alert level. Earlier in March, a major eruption forced airlines like Jetstar and Qantas to cancel or delay flights to Bali, over 500 miles away.

And in November, a series of violent eruptions killed nine people, injured dozens, and forced mass evacuations.

Living on the Ring of Fire

Indonesia, home to more than 270 million people, is no stranger to volcanic activity. The country has 120 active volcanoes, more than any other nation, and sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” — a vast zone of seismic activity that stretches in a horseshoe shape across the Pacific Basin.

While locals and tourists alike are accustomed to the geological drama, the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki is a stark reminder of the constant tension between paradise and peril that comes with life in one of the world’s most volcanically active regions.

Source: CNN – Indonesia volcano spews ash more than 6 miles into sky, dozens of Bali flights canceled

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Hundreds Evacuated as Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire Erupts

Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire erupted overnight, forcing the evacuation of nearly 300 families, while authorities warn that another 30,000 people in the region could be at risk.

The 12,300-foot (3,763-meter) volcano, one of Central America’s most active, last erupted in June 2023. Although there are no immediate reports of casualties, the eruption has triggered school closures and the shutdown of a key road connecting communities.

Volcanic Activity and Rising Danger

The eruption sent gas and ash high into the sky on Monday, prompting Guatemala’s disaster agency to issue urgent warnings.

• Claudinne Ugalde, secretary of the disaster agency, emphasized the potential danger, stating, “Some 30,000 people are at risk in these three jurisdictions, and we are encouraging them to evacuate or self-evacuate.”
• The biggest concern is lahars—a deadly mixture of ash, rock, mud, and debris—which can bury entire towns if they gain momentum.

Memories of 2018 Tragedy

The eruption has raised fears among residents, especially those who remember the devastating 2018 eruption, which killed 194 people and left 234 missing.

Isaac García, 43, a resident of El Porvenir, recalled the past disaster when he and his family decided to evacuate early Monday.

“We were a little worried because a few years ago the volcano became active,” García said, referencing the 2018 tragedy. Wearing a mask to protect himself from falling ash, he arrived at a shelter in San Juan Alotenango with his mother, wife, three children, and other relatives.

Government Response and Ongoing Threat

Located just 33 miles (53 km) from Guatemala’s capital, the Volcano of Fire remains a serious threat. Authorities report that while the current volcanic flow is weak to moderate, it is expected to increase in intensity.

Emergency shelters have been opened, and residents in high-risk zones are urged to remain vigilant as the situation develops.

Source

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