"While H.R. 10420 constitutes a much-needed and unquestionably well-intentioned effort to preserve and protect the marine mammal population of the world, that effort ought to have been-- and could reasonably have been-- strengthened in at least two vital areas. First and foremost, the sixty-day moratorium provided by the bill on the taking of marine mammals is insufficient, and should have been established for at least two years ... The second area in which H.R. 10420 ought to have been strengthened is in the import restrictions and limitations it provides."

 - Peter Kyros, Representative (D - ME), who voted in favor of H.R. 10420

"There is reason to believe that the availability of products derived from the described animals is of prime importance to a substantial number of small concerns. On the other hand, the fear is widely expressed that a continuation of hunting on the present scale will lead to the eventual extinction of the animals. In the long view, therefore, the imposition of suitable restrictions might be to the best interest of the firms in question. However, we do not have sufficient factual knowledge to make a proper evaluation of the issues presented by the subject bills. Accordingly, we will not venture an opinion as to their merits."

 - Thomas S. Kleppe, Administrator of Small Business Administration

On October 21, 1972, President Nixon signed the MMPA into law. The MMPA is one of his many environmental accomplishments, from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Endangered Species Act.

"At the time, I was chief scientist for President Richard Nixon’s Council on Environmental Quality, and friends in Congress told me they had never received such a large volume of letters on any subject, other than the Vietnam War."

- Lee Talbot, chief scientist, on the letters pushing to protect marine mammals in an editorial in 2017

"Even as I commend the Congress for responding to the concern over ocean dumping, I am also grateful for the opportunity to sign a second piece of legislation concerning the oceanic environment, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, H.R. 10420. This legislation will give us the important powers we need to ensure that the world's whales, porpoises, seals, polar bears, walruses, sea otters, and manatees do not become depleted or endangered species. H.R. 10420 requires a specific permit before such animals may be taken or imported and provides strong encouragements for other countries to develop similar protections. In this area, as in the case of ocean dumping, we are ensuring that our own regulation programs are up-to-date, and we are also taking a strong position of international leadership. We share the oceans with all who live on this planet. Our actions are part of what we hope and trust will be a global commitment to protect the glory and majesty and life of the "shining" seas."

 - Former President Richard Nixon in his signing statement, 1972