USA
US Marine Mammal Protection Act
Summary Description
Reduces incidental bycatch of marine animals by prohibiting their killing and by prohibiting the sale of seafood from jurisdictions that do not have equivalent protection rules.
Species
Fish
Jurisdiction
USA
Sub-Jurisdiction
N/A
Type of Act
Legislation
Status
In force
Legal Value
Binding
Date Enacted
1972
Date Updated
June, 2023
Official Citation
16 U.S.C. 1361-1407 (USA)
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Prohibits the "take" of marine mammals (e.g., harassment, hunting, capturing, collecting, or killing). The act also makes it illegal to import or export marine mammals and marine mammal products into or out of the United States without a permit or other applicable authorization.
- Under a regulation implementing the Act, the United States will not import seafood from countries that lack similar restrictions of their own on bycatch.
Weaknesses
- Permits can be issued to allow for the "take" of marine mammals. Some examples of situations when permits are given include allowance for scientific research, photography, capture or first-time imports for public display (e.g., in aquariums), incidental take as a side effect of fishing or enhancing the survival or health of an animal (e.g., stranding rescues).
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