16 USC 1414a - Research

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 16, 2024

§ 1414a.

Research

(a)

Required research

(1)

In general

(2)

Population abundance surveys

(3)

Stress studies

The stress studies under this subsection shall include—

(A)

a review of relevant stress-related research and a 3-year series of necropsy samples from dolphins obtained by commercial vessels;

(B)

a 1-year review of relevant historical demographic and biological data related to dolphins and dolphin stocks referred to in paragraph (1); and

(C)

an experiment involving the repeated chasing and capturing of dolphins by means of intentional encirclement.

(4)

Report

(b)

Other research

(1)

In general

(2)

Specific areas of research

Research carried out under paragraph (1) may include—

(A)

projects to devise cost-effective fishing methods and gear so as to reduce, with the goal of eliminating, the incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals in connection with commercial purse seine fishing in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean;

(B)

projects to develop cost-effective methods of fishing for mature yellowfin tuna without setting nets on dolphins or other marine mammals;

(C)

projects to carry out stock assessments for those marine mammal species and marine mammal stocks taken in the purse seine fishery for yellowfin tuna in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, including species or stocks not within waters under the jurisdiction of the United States; and

(D)

projects to determine the extent to which the incidental take of nontarget species, including juvenile tuna, occurs in the course of purse seine fishing for yellowfin tuna in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, the geographic location of the incidental take, and the impact of that incidental take on tuna stocks and nontarget species.

(c)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary the following amounts, to be used by the Secretary to carry out the research described in subsection (a):

(A)

$4,000,000 for fiscal year 1998.

(B)

$3,000,000 for fiscal year 1999.

(C)

$4,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.

(D)

$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2001.

(2)

In addition to the amount authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for carrying out this section $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001.

(Pub. L. 92–522, title III, § 304, as added Pub. L. 105–42, § 6(c), Aug. 15, 1997, 111 Stat. 1133.)

cite as: 16 USC 1414a