International ministerial meeting on marine mammals. Report to Congress. North Pacific fur seals, study. 8 UST 2283; 15 UST 316; 20 UST 2992. Report to Convention, modification negotiations. 8 UST 2283; 15 UST 316; 20 UST 2292. Time extension. the purpose of entering into bilateral and multilateral treaties with such countries to protect marine mammals. The Secretary of State shall prepare a draft agenda relating to this matter for discussion at appropriate international meetings and forums; (3) encourage such other agreements to promote the purposes of this Act with other nations for the protection of specific ocean and land regions which are of special significance to the health and stability of marine mammals; (4) initiate the amendment of any existing international treaty for the protection and conservation of any species of marine mammal to which the United States is a party in order to make such treaty consistent with the purposes and policies of this Act; (5) seek the convening of an international ministerial meeting on marine mammals before July 1, 1973, for the purposes of (A) the negotiation of a binding international convention for the protection and conservation of all marine mammals, and (B) the implementation of paragraph (3) of this section; and (6) provide to the Congress by not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act a full report on the results of his efforts under this section. (b) (1) In addition to the foregoing, the Secretary shall (A) in consultation with the Marine Mammal Commission established by section 201 of this Act, undertake a study of the North Pacific fur seals to determine whether herds of such seals subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are presently at their optimum sustainable population and what population trends are evident; and (B) in consultation with the Secretary of State, promptly undertake a comprehensive study of the provisions of this Act, as they relate to North Pacific fur seals, and the provisions of the North Pacific Fur Seal Convention signed on February 9, 1957, as extended (hereafter referred to in this subsection as the "Convention"), to determine what modifications, if any, should be made to the provisions of the Convention, or of this Act, or both, to make the Convention and this Act consistent with each other. The Secretary shall complete the studies required under this paragraph not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act and shall immediately provide copies thereof to Congress. (2) If the Secretary finds— (A) as a result of the study required under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, that the North Pacific fur seal herds are below their optimum sustainable population and are not trending upward toward such level, or have reached their optimum sustainable population but are commencing a downward trend, and believes the herds to be in danger of depletion; or (B) as a result of the study required under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, that modifications of the Convention are desirable to make it and this Act consistent; he shall, through the Secretary of State, immediately initiate negotiations to modify the Convention so as to (i) reduce or halt the taking of seals to the extent required to assure that such herds attain and remain at their optimum sustainable population, or (ii) make the Convention and this Act consistent; or both, as the case may be. If negotiations to so modify the Convention are unsuccessful, the Secretary shall, through the Secretary of State, take such steps as may be necessary to continue the existing Convention beyond its present termination date so as to continue to protect and conserve the North Pacific fur seals and to prevent a return to pelagic sealing. Federal Cooperation With States Law enforcement. Sec. 109. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no State may adopt any law or regulation relating to the taking of marine mammals within its jurisdiction or attempt to enforce any State law or regulation relating to such taking. (2) Any State may adopt and enforce any laws or regulations relating to the protection and taking, within its jurisdiction, of any species or population stock of marine mammals if the Secretary determines, after review thereof, that such laws and regulations will be consistent with (A) the regulations promulgated under section 103 of this title with respect to such species or population stock, and (B) such other provisions of this Act, and any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to this title, which apply with respect to such species or population stock. If the Secretary determines that any such State laws and regulations are so consistent, the provisions of this Act, except this section and sections 101 (except to the extent that the Secretary waives the application of section 101 to permit such State laws and regulations to take effect) and 110 of this title, and title II of this Act, shall not apply with respect to the species or population stock concerned within the jurisdiction of the State. (3) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subsection and the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall continuously monitor and review the laws and regulations of any State which has assumed responsibility for marine mammals as provided for in paragraph (2) of this subsection. Whenever the Secretary finds that the laws and regulations of any such State are not in substantial compliance with either paragraph (1) or (2), or both, he shall resume responsibilities under this Act for the marine mammals concerned within the jurisdiction of that State, superseding such State laws and regulations to the extent which, after notice and opportunity for hearing, he deems necessary. (4) Nothing in this Act shall prevent a State or local government official or employee, in the course of his duties as an official or employee, from taking a marine mammal in a humane manner if such taking (A) is for the protection or welfare of such mammal or for the protection of the public health and welfare, and (B) includes steps designed to assure the return of such mammal to its natural habitat. State laws and regulations, review. Mammals, taking for humane purposes. Grants to Cost limitation. (b) The Secretary is authorized to make grants to each State whose laws and regulations relating to protection and mangement of marine mammals which primarily inhabit waters or lands within the boundaries of that State are found to be consistent with the purposes and policies of this Act. The purpose of such grants shall be to assist such States in developing and implementing State programs for the protection and management of such marine mammals. Such grants shall not exceed 50 per centum of the costs of a particular program's development and implementation. To be eligible for such grants, State programs shall include planning and Eligibility. such specific activities, including, but not limited, to research, censusing, habitat acquisition and improvement, or law enforcement as the Secretary finds contribute to the purposes and policies of this Act. The Secretary may also, as a condition of any such grant, provide that State Report. agencies report at regular intervals on the status of species and populations which are the subject of such grants. (c) The Secretary is authorized and directed to enter into cooperative arrangements with the appropriate officials of any State for the delegation to such State of the administration and enforcement of this title: Provided, That any such arrangement shall contain such provisions as the Secretary deems appropriate to insure that the purposes and policies of this Act will be carried out. (d) (1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of the Interior, for the purposes of carrying out this section, not to exceed $400,000 for each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 1979, September 30, 1980, and September 30, 1981. (2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Commerce, for the purposes of carrying out this section, not to exceed $225,000 for each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 1979, September 30, 1980, and September 30, 1981. (a) The Secretary is authorized to make grants, or to provide financial assistance in such other form as he deems appropriate, to any Federal or State agency, public or private institution, or other person for the purpose of assisting such agency, institution, or person to undertake research in subjects which are relevant to the protection and conservation of marine mammals. (b) Any grant or other financial assistance provided by the Secretary pursuant to this section shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary deems necessary to protect the interests of the United States and shall be made after review by the Marine Mammal Commission. (c) There are authorized to be appropriated, for the purposes of carrying out this section, not to exceed the following sums for the following fiscal years: (1) $2,500,000 for each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 1973, June 30, 1974, June 30, 1975, September 30, 1976, and September 30, 1977, of which one-third of the sum appropriated for any such fiscal year shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior and two-thirds of any such sum shall be available to the Secretary of Commerce. (2) $1,200,000, all of which shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978. (3) $200,000, all of which shall be available to the Secretary of Commerce, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978. Appropriation authorizations. Federal cooperation with States. Research grants. Appropriation authorizations. Research and development. Report to Regulations. 80 Stat. 383. Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, compliance. Research and observation. Federal agencies, cooperation. (4) (A) $1,300,000 which shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979. (B) $2,700,000 which shall be available to the Secretary of Commerce for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979. (5) (A) $1,500,000 which shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980. (B) $2,700,000 which shall be available to the Secretary of Commerce for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980. (6) (A) $2,100,000 which shall be available to the Secretary of the Interior for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981. (B) $2,700,000 which shall be available to the Secretary of Commerce for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981. (As amended by P.L. 95-136, 91 Stat. 1167, October 18, 1977; and P.L. 95-316, 92 Stat. 380, July 10, 1978) Sec. 111. Commercial Fisheries Gear Development (a) The Secretary of the department in which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is operating (hereafter referred to in this section as the "Secretary") is hereby authorized and directed to immediately undertake a program of research and development for the purpose of devising improved fishing methods and gear so as to reduce to the maximum extent practicable the incidental taking of marine mammals in connection with commercial fishing. At the end of the full twenty-four calendar month period following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall deliver his report in writing to the Congress with respect to the results of such research and development. For the purposes of this section, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum of $1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, and the same amount for the next fiscal year. Funds appropriated for this section shall remain available until expended. (b) The Secretary, after consultation with the Marine Mammal Commission, is authorized and directed to issue, as soon as practicable, such regulations, covering the twenty-four-month period referred to in section 101(a)(2) of this title, as he deems necessary or advisable, to reduce to the lowest practicable level the taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations. Such regulations shall be adopted pursuant to section 553 of title 5, United States Code. In issuing such regulations, the Secretary shall take into account the results of any scientific research under subsection (a) of this section and, in each case, shall provide a reasonable time not exceeding four months for the persons affected to implement such regulations. (c) Additionally, the Secretary and Secretary of State are directed to commence negotiations within the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission in order to effect essential compliance with the regulatory provisions of this Act so as to reduce to the maximum extent feasible the incidental taking of marine mammals by vessels involved in the tuna fishery. The Secretary and Secretary of State are further directed to request the Director of Investigations of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission to make recommendations to all member nations of the Commission as soon as is practicable as to the utilization of methods and gear devised under subsection (a) of this section. (d) Furthermore, after timely notice and during the period of research provided in this section, duly authorized agents of the Secretary are hereby empowered to board and to accompany any commercial fishing vessel documented under the laws of the United States, there being space available, on a regular fishing trip for the purpose of conducting research or observing operations in regard to the development of improved fishing methods and gear as authorized by this section. Such research and observation shall be carried out in such manner as to minimize interference with fishing operations. The Secretary shall provide for the cost of quartering and maintaining such agents. No master, operator, or owner of such a vessel shall impair or in any way interfere with the research or observation being carried out by agents of the Secretary pursuant to this section. Sec. 112. Regulations and Administration (a) The Secretary, in consultation with any other Federal agency to the extent that such agency may be affected, shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this title. (b) Each Federal agency is authorized and directed to cooperate with the Secretary, in such manner as may be mutually agreeable, in carrying out the purposes of this title. (c) The Secretary may enter into such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title and on such terms as he deems appropriate with any Federal or State agency, public or private institution, or other person. (d) The Secretary shall review annually the operation of each program in which the United States participates involving the taking of marine mammals on land. If at any time the Secretary finds that any such program cannot be administered on lands owned by the United States or in which the United States has an interest in a manner consistent with the purposes of policies of this Act, he shall suspend the operation of that program and shall forthwith submit to Congress his reasons for such suspension, together with recommendations for such legislation as he deems necessary and appropriate to resolve the problem. Sec. 113. Application to Other Treaties and Conventions; Repeal (a) The provisions of this title shall be deemed to be in addition to and not in contravention of the provisions of any existing international treaty, convention, or agreement, or any statute implementing the same, which may otherwise apply to the taking of marine mammals. Upon a finding by the Secretary that the provisions of any international treaty, convention, or agreement, or any statute implementing the same has been made applicable to persons subject to the provisions of this title in order to effect essential compliance with the regulatory provisions of this Act so as to reduce to the lowest practicable level the taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations, section 105 of this title may not apply to such persons. (b) The proviso to the Act entitled "An Act to repeal certain laws providing for the protection of sea lions in Alaska water", approved June 16, 1934 (16 U.S.C. 659), is repealed. Sec. 114. Authorization of Appropriations (a) There are authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $2,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, and the four next following fiscal years, and not to exceed $11,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, not to exceed $8,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, not to exceed $9,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980, and not to exceed $9,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981, to enable the department in which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is operating to carry out such functions and responsibilities as it may have been given under this title (other than sections 109 and 110). (b) There are authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $700,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, not to exceed $525,000 for each of the next four fiscal years thereafter, not to exceed $850,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, not to exceed $650,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, not to exceed $760,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980, and not to exceed $876,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981, to enable the Department of the Interior to carry out such functions and responsibilities as it may have been given under this title (other than sections 109 and 110). (As amended by P.L. 95-136, 91 Stat. 1167, October 18, 1977; and P.L. 95-316, 92 Stat. 380, July 10, 1978) TITLE II-MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION Contract authority. Annual review. Report to Repeal. 48 Stat. 976. Establishment of Commission Sec. 201. (a) There is hereby established the Marine Mammal Commission (hereafter referred to in this title as the "Commission"). (b) (1) The Commission shall be composed of three members who shall be appointed by the President. The President shall make his selection from a list, submitted to him by the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and the Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences, of individuals knowledgeable in the fields of marine ecology and resource management, and who are not in a position to profit from the taking of marine mammals. No member of the Commission may, during his period of service on the Commission, hold any other position as an officer or employee of the United States except as a Membership. Term. Chairman. Compensation. 5 USC 5332 note. 80 Stat. 449; 83 Stat. 190. Executive Director. 5 USC 101 et seq. retired officer or retired civilian employee of the United States. (2) The term of office for each member shall be three years; except that of the members initially appointed to the Commission, the term of one member shall be for one year, the term of one member shall be for two years, and the term of one member shall be for three years. No member is eligible for reappointment; except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed(A) shall be appointed for the remainder of such term, and (B) is eligible for reappointment for one full term. A member may serve after the expiration of his term until his successor has taken office. (c) The President shall designate a Chairman of the Commission (hereafter referred to in this title as the "Chairman") from among its members. (d) Members of the Commission shall each be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the rate for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, for each day such member is engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Commission. Each member shall be reimbursed for travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for persons in Government service employed intermittently. (e) The Commission shall have an Executive Director, who shall be appointed (without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service) by the Chairman with the approval of the Commission and shall be paid at a rate not in excess of the rate for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code. The Executive Director shall have such duties as the Chairman may assign. Duties of Commission 49 Stat. 3079. 64 Stat. 421. 16 USC 916 note. 8 UST 2283; 15 UST 316; 20 UST 2992. 80 Stat. 1091. 16 USC 1151 note. Reports and recommenda tions. Public information. 81 Stat. 54. Sec. 202. (a) The Commission shall (1) undertake a review and study of the activities of the United States pursuant to existing laws and international conventions relating to marine mammals, including, but not limited to, the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, the Whaling Convention Act of 1949, the Interim Convention on the Conservation of North Pacific Fur Seals, and the Fur Seal Act of 1966; (2) conduct a continuing review of the condition of the stocks of marine mammals, of methods for their protection and conservation, of humane means of taking marine mammals, of research programs conducted or proposed to be conducted under the authority of this Act, and of all applications for permits for scientific research; (3) undertake or cause to be undertaken such other studies as it deems necessary or desirable in connection with its assigned duties as to the protection and conservation of marine mammals. (4) recommend to the Secretary and to other Federal officials such steps as it deems necessary or desirable for the protection and conservation of marine mammals; (5) recommend to the Secretary of State appropriate policies regarding existing international arrangements for the protection and conservation of marine mammals, and suggest appropriate international arrangements for the protection and conservation of marine mammals; (6) recommend to the Secretary such revisions of the endangered species list and threatened species list published pursuant to section 4(c)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as may be appropriate with regard to marine mammals; and (7) recommend to the Secretary, other appropriate Federal officials, and Congress such additional measures as it deems necessary or desirable to further the policies of this Act, including provisions for the protection of the Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts whose livelihood may be adversely affected by actions taken pursuant to this Act. (b) The Commission shall consult with the Secretary at such intervals as it or he may deem desirable, and shall furnish its reports and recommendations to him, before publication, for his comment. (c) The reports and recommendations which the Commission makes shall be matters of public record and shall be available to the public at all reasonable times. All other activities of the Commission shall be matters of public record and available to the public in accordance with the provisions of section 552 of title 5, United States Code. (d) Any recommendations made by the Commission to the Secretary and other Federal officials shall be responded to by those individuals within one hundred and twenty days after receipt thereof. Any recommendations which are not followed or adopted shall be referred to the Commission together with a detailed explanation of the reasons why those recommendations were not followed or adopted. (As amended by P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884, December 28, 1973) |