Unnamed Resolution on the Use of Paralytic, Tranquilizing, and Anesthetic Drugs on Marine Mammals

WHEREAS, respiration in marine mammals is generally voluntary, and most cetaceans and pinnipeds have a greater specific gravity than water; and

WHEREAS, in recent years the many attempts to capture cetaceans through the use of paralytic, tranquilizing, and anesthetic drugs have resulted in the death through sinking of all wild cetaceans subjected to these drugs; and

WHEREAS, money from granting agencies was in some cases used to support these programs;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Society of Mammalogists considers that (1) investigators should determine in advance the effect and proper dosages of the drugs by controlled experiments on captive animals, and (2) that granting agencies should obtain a competent and critical judgment before granting funds for such projects; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the American Society of Mammalogists advises the Governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States to withhold the issuance of special scientific permits for the use of drugs on large cetaceans unless the applicant has determined the effects and proper dosages of the drugs as stated above.