§ 917. — Congressional findings.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC917]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 14A--WHALE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION
Sec. 917. Congressional findings
The Congress finds that--
(1) whales are a unique resource of great aesthetic and
scientific interest to mankind and are a vital part of the marine
ecosystem;
(2) whales have been overexploited by man for many years,
severely reducing several species and endangering others;
(3) the United States has extended its authority and
responsibility to conserve and protect all marine mammals, including
whales, out to a two hundred nautical mile limit by enactment of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.];
(4) the conservation and protection of certain species of
whales, including the California gray, bowhead, sperm, and killer
whale, are of particular interest to citizens of the United States;
(5) increased ocean activity of all types may threaten the whale
stocks found within the two hundred-mile jurisdiction of the United
States and added protection of such stocks may be necessary;
(6) there is inadequate knowledge of the ecology, habitat,
requirements, and population levels and dynamics of all whales found
in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and
(7) further study of such matters is required in order for the
United States to carry out its responsibilities for the conservation
and protection of marine mammals.
(Pub. L. 94-532, Sec. 2, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2491; Pub. L. 96-561,
title II, Sec. 238(b), Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat. 3300; Pub. L. 104-208,
div. A, title I, Sec. 101(a) [title II, Sec. 211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996,
110 Stat. 3009, 3009-41.)
References in Text
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act,
referred to in par. (3), is Pub. L. 94-265, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 331,
as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 38 (Sec. 1801 et
seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1801 of this title and
Tables.
Amendments
1996--Par. (3). Pub. L. 104-208 substituted ``Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery'' for ``Magnuson Fishery''.
1980--Par. (3). Pub. L. 96-561 substituted ``Magnuson Fishery
Conservation and Management Act'' for ``Fishery Conservation and
Management Act of 1976''.
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Section 101(a) [title II, Sec. 211(b)] of div. A of Pub. L. 104-208
provided that the amendment made by that section is effective 15 days
after Oct. 11, 1996.
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Section 238(b) of Pub. L. 96-561 provided that the amendment made by
that section is effective 15 days after Dec. 22, 1980.
Short Title
Section 1 of Pub. L. 94-532 provided: ``That this Act [enacting this
chapter] may be cited as the `Whale Conservation and Protection Study
Act'.''
