§ 917a. — Study by Secretary of Commerce; report to Congress.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC917a]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 14A--WHALE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION
Sec. 917a. Study by Secretary of Commerce; report to Congress
The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Marine Mammal
Commission and the coastal States, shall undertake comprehensive studies
of all whales found in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States, including the fishery conservation zone as defined in section
1802(8) \1\ of this title. Such studies shall take into consideration
all relevant factors regarding (1) the conservation and protection of
all such whales, (2) the distribution, migration patterns, and
population dynamics of these mammals, and (3) the effects on all such
whales of habitat destruction, disease, pesticides, and other chemicals,
disruption of migration patterns, and food shortages for the purpose of
developing adequate and effective measures, including appropriate laws
and regulations, to conserve and protect such mammals. The Secretary of
Commerce shall report on such studies, together with such
recommendations as he deems appropriate, including suggested
legislation, to the Congress no later than January 1, 1980.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See References in Text note below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Pub. L. 94-532, Sec. 3, Oct. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 2491.)
References in Text
Section 1802(8) of this title, referred to in text, which defined
``fishery conservation zone'', was repealed and section 1802(6) of this
title, defining ``exclusive economic zone'', was added by Pub. L. 99-
659, title I, Sec. 101(a), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3706. Section 1802
was subsequently amended and the term ``exclusive economic zone'' is
defined elsewhere in that section.
Study of Eastern Gray Whale Population
Pub. L. 106-562, title IV, Sec. 401, Dec. 23, 2000, 114 Stat. 2807,
provided that:
``(a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2000] and subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary of Commerce shall initiate a study of the
environmental and biological factors responsible for the significant
increase in mortality events of the eastern gray whale population, and
the other potential impacts these factors may be having on the eastern
gray whale population.
``(b) Consideration of Western Population Information.--The
Secretary should ensure that, to the greatest extent practicable,
information from current and future studies of the western gray whale
population is considered in the study under this section, so as to
better understand the dynamics of each population and to test different
hypotheses that may lead to an increased understanding of the mechanism
driving their respective population dynamics.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to other amounts
authorized under this title [this note], there are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section--
``(1) $290,000 for fiscal year 2001; and
``(2) $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2004.''
Substantially identical provisions were contained in Pub. L. 106-
555, title II, Sec. 203, Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2768.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 917b of this title.
