WLOX Editorial: Red tape won out over animal's life

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) - Twenty-five years ago, the Marine Mammal Protection act was amended to formally name NOAA's National Marine Fisheries service the lead agency in dealing with stranded marine mammals including dolphins. The agency has a lot of programs that promote the safety of all marine mammals which are protected species.

But recent action, or lack of action by the federal agency led to the death of a dolphin. Even though local experts repeatedly told the feds this dolphin was stranded in Fort Bayou in Jackson County and obviously in distress from fresh water toxicity, the feds dragged their feet for weeks and the animal died.

In the case of this dolphin, there was 100% failure to protect a protected marine mammal. Red tape won out over the animal's life. The feds need to change their ways and figure out just how big the scissors need to be to cut that useless red tape.

That's our opinion, we would like to hear yours. Email your thoughts to editorials@wlox.com.

Rick Williams
WLOX-TV General Manager

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