Text of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 2007

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The Marine Mammal Protection Act is described in 16 USC Chapter 31.
(All sections below are in PDF format.)

Introduction

• Sec. 2 - Findings and declaration of policy
• Sec. 3 - Definitions*
• Sec. 4 - Effective Date

Title I - Conservation and Protection of Marine Mammals

• Sec. 101 - Moratorium and exceptions*
• Sec. 102 - Prohibitions
• Sec. 103 - Regulations on taking of marine mammals
• Sec. 104 - Permits*
• Sec. 105 - Penalties
• Sec [] (16 USC 1375a) - Disposition of fines
• Sec. 106 - Vessel fine, cargo forfeiture, and rewards
• Sec. 107 - Enforcement*
• Sec. 108 - International programs
• Sec. 109 - Federal cooperation with States
• Sec. 110 - Marine mammal research grants
• Sec. 111 - Commercial fisheries gear development
• Sec. 112 - Regulations and administration
• Sec. 113 - Application to other treaties and conventions
• Sec. 114 - Interim exemption for commercial fisheries
• Sec. 115 - Status review; conservation plans
• Sec. 116 - Authorization of appropriations
• Sec. [] (16 USC 1385) - Dolphin protection
• Sec. 117 - Stock assessments
• Sec. 118 - Taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations
• Sec. 119 - Marine mammal cooperative agreements in Alaska
• Sec. 120 - Pacific Coast Task Force; Gulf of Maine

Title II - Marine Mammal Commission

• Sec. 201 - Establishment of Commission
• Sec. 202 - Duties of Commission
• Sec. 203 - Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals
• Sec. 204 - Commission reports
• Sec. 205 - Coordination with other Federal agencies
• Sec. 206 - Administration of Commission
• Sec. 207 - Authorization of appropriations

Title III - International Dolphin Conservation Program

• Sec. 301 - Findings and policy
• Sec. 302 - International Dolphin Conservation Program
• Sec. 303 - Regulatory Authority of the Secretary
• Sec. 304 - Research
• Sec. 305 - Reports by the Secretary
• Sec. 306 - Permits
• Sec. 307 - Prohibitions

Title IV - Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program

• Sec. 401 - Establishment of program
• Sec. 402 - Determination; data collection and dissemination
• Sec. 403 - Stranding response agreements
• Sec. 404 - Unusual mortality event response
• Sec. 405 - Unusual mortality event activity funding
• Sec. 406 - Liability
• Sec. 407 - National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank and tissue analysis
• Sec. 408 - John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
• Sec. 409 - Authorization of appropriations
• Sec. 410 - Definitions

Title V - Polar Bears*

• Sec. 501 - Definitions*
• Sec. 502 - Prohibitions*
• Sec. 503 - Administration*
• Sec. 504 - Cooperative Management Agreement; authority to delegate enforcement authority*
• Sec. 505 - Commission appointments; compensation, travel expenses, and claims*
• Sec. 506 - Votes taken by the United States Section on matters before the
  Commission*
• Sec. 507 - Implementation of actions taken by the Commission*
• Sec. 508 - Application with other titles of Act*
• Sec. 509 - Authorization of appropriations*

*NOTE: Sections 107 and 501-509 (Title V) were amended in 2007. Sections 3, 101, and 104 were amended in 2004.