There are many national and international treaties and agreements that protect marine mammals. Chances are, wherever you are, you are most likely subject to regulations. Here is an AI summary:

AI Overview +8 Several international treaties and agreements protect marine mammals, including the UN-agreed BBNJ Agreement for areas beyond national jurisdiction and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), which focuses on species like whales and dolphins that cross borders. The NAMMCO Agreement cooperates on marine mammal management in the North Atlantic, and regional agreements also exist. Additionally, treaties like the Convention on Biological Diversity address broader biodiversity conservation, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is involved in the BBNJ treaty's implementation. Key international treaties for marine mammals

BBNJ Agreement: This UN treaty covers marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, including conservation, sustainable use, and marine genetic resources.
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS): This treaty is for the protection of migratory animals, including many species of whales and dolphins, by enabling countries to work together on conservation efforts.
NAMMCO Agreement: Signed by the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, and Norway, this agreement facilitates cooperation on the conservation and management of cetaceans and pinnipeds in the North Atlantic.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): A broader international treaty that includes marine mammals under its framework of conserving and sustainably using biological diversity.
Other agreements: Other agreements may focus on specific species or regions. For example, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) is a key treaty focused on the conservation of whales, particularly with its historic moratorium on commercial whaling.

How these treaties work

Cooperation: They provide a framework for countries to cooperate on conservation and management efforts.
Regulation: They can regulate activities that harm marine mammals, such as fishing and shipping.
Capacity building: They aim to build the capacity of countries to effectively protect marine mammals through measures like technology transfer and training.
International law: Treaties like the BBNJ Agreement create legally binding obligations for member states to protect marine life and biodiversity.

U.S. approach to marine mammal protection

The U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) is a key law that prohibits the "take" (harass, hunt, capture, or kill) of marine mammals and has provisions for international cooperation.
The U.S. uses the MMPA to influence international conservation efforts through various measures, including import provisions and bilateral agreements