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All marine mammal species in the United States are Federally protected  by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, or MMPA.  Some species, like Steller sea lions, have even higher levels of protection through the Endangered Species Act, or ESA. Why do they have such high levels of protection?  Because the populations of many marine mammal species have still not recovered from declines experienced as a result of commercial over-hunting and historic eradication programs.  The Federal agencies responsible for managing marine mammal species in the United States are in the process of rebuilding those populations to "normal" levels.