16 USC 1373 - Regulations on taking of marine mammals

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 25, 2024

§ 1373.

Regulations on taking of marine mammals

(a)

Necessity and appropriateness

(b)

Factors considered in prescribing regulations

In prescribing such regulations, the Secretary shall give full consideration to all factors which may affect the extent to which such animals may be taken or imported, including but not limited to the effect of such regulations on—

(1)

existing and future levels of marine mammal species and population stocks;

(2)

existing international treaty and agreement obligations of the United States;

(3)

the marine ecosystem and related environmental considerations;

(4)

the conservation, development, and utilization of fishery resources; and

(5)

the economic and technological feasibility of implementation.

(c)

Allowable restrictions

The regulations prescribed under subsection (a) of this section for any species or population stock of marine mammal may include, but are not limited to, restrictions with respect to—

(1)

the number of animals which may be taken or imported in any calendar year pursuant to permits issued under section 1374 of this title;

(2)

the age, size, or sex (or any combination of the foregoing) of animals which may be taken or imported, whether or not a quota prescribed under paragraph (1) of this subsection applies with respect to such animals;

(3)

the season or other period of time within which animals may be taken or imported;

(4)

the manner and locations in which animals may be taken or imported; and

(5)

fishing techniques which have been found to cause undue fatalities to any species of marine mammal in a fishery.

(d)

Procedure

Regulations prescribed to carry out this section with respect to any species or stock of marine mammals must be made on the record after opportunity for an agency hearing on both the Secretary’s determination to waive the moratorium pursuant to section 1371(a)(3)(A) of this title and on such regulations, except that, in addition to any other requirements, imposed by law with respect to agency rulemaking, the Secretary shall publish and make available to the public either before or concurrent with the publication of notice in the Federal Register of his intention to prescribe regulations under this section—

(1)

a statement of the estimated existing levels of the species and population stocks of the marine mammal concerned;

(2)

a statement of the expected impact of the proposed regulations on the optimum sustainable population of such species or population stock;

(3)

a statement describing the evidence before the Secretary upon which he proposes to base such regulations; and

(4)

any studies made by or for the Secretary or any recommendations made by or for the Secretary or the Marine Mammal Commission which relate to the establishment of such regulations.

(e)

Periodic review

(f)

Report to Congress

(Pub. L. 92–522, title I, § 103, Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 1033.)

cite as: 16 USC 1373