2. They are protected in the U.S. by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. They are not protected by the International Whaling Commision because technically killer whales are in the dolphin family and thus not represented in the commision. However, since the slaughter of larger whales has significantly ceased, there is not interest in preserving the smaller ceteaceans such as killer whales. Since killer whales are threathened by bioaccumulaton of pesticides, programs that support reduction of pesticide use, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) also help to benefit this animal.