The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has initiated an investigation on the alleged misconduct of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is believed to have violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) by decapitating a dead whale. The story traces back to an event in January 2021 when Kennedy reportedly removed the head of a deceased whale during his family vacation on Martha’s Vineyard.
The Incident
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was accused of alleged decapitation of a dead whale in Massachusetts, a serious violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as reported by godzillanewz.com. The MMPA was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1972 with the primary objective of preventing the declination of marine mammal populations, particularly those that could have led towards their extinction, by implementing a moratorium on the “taking” of marine mammals in U.S. waters.
The full-grown female Pygmy Sperm whale that met an unfortunate fate washed up on the shore of Martha’s Vineyard in January 2021. The incident came to light when Kennedy himself posted several pictures of the decapitated whale on his Instagram handle with captions depicting his fascination for the whale and its gigantic skull.
Allegations and Investigations
The pictures, following their posting, were instantly met with public outrage and calls for justice. The reaction led to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials taking note of the situation, thus opening an investigation into the matter. Under the MMPA, harassment, hunting, capture, or killing along with attempts to do the same to any marine mammal is prohibited, making Kennedy’s actions a potential violation of federal law.
According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, this act is punishable by hefty fines or imprisonment ranging from $100,000 to one-year imprisonment per person per violation. The Office of Law Enforcement is primed to make use of all available evidence on any reported cases that would violate the MMPA, including videos, images, and various social media postings.
Additionally, it’s not just the Kennedy family’s fame that has drawn attention to this incident, but the environmental activism associated with their name. The irony is hard to overlook when considering Kennedy’s role as an environmental lawyer, radio host, and the founder of Waterkeeper Alliance. His career has been dedicated to the preservation of the environment, including the protection of numerous endangered species.
On the accusations, Kennedy told TMZ that he believed the animal was already dead when he dismembered it. Consequently, he defended himself, stating that he did not violate the MMPA, which only protects marine mammals during their lifetimes.
The investigation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is ongoing and is a reminder that every individual should abide by regulations developed to protect marine life. Such episodes bring to light the urgency of conservation efforts for marine animals. The tale serves as a reminder that the path to conservation isn’t about disregard for laws and thoughtless acts but respect for all forms of life, in death as well as in life.