§7524. Marine mammals: use for national defense purposes

(a) Authority.-Subject to subsection (c), the Secretary of Defense may authorize the taking of not more than 25 marine mammals each year for national defense purposes. Any such authorization may be made only with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce and after consultation with the Marine Mammal Commission established by section 201 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1401).

(b) Humane Treatment Required.-A mammal taken under this section shall be captured, supervised, cared for, transported, and deployed in a humane manner consistent with conditions established by the Secretary of Commerce.

(c) Protection for Endangered Species.-A mammal may not be taken under this section if the mammal is determined to be a member of an endangered or threatened species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533).

(d) Application of Other Act.-This section applies without regard to the provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.).

(Added Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XIII, §1354(a), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3996 .)

References in Text

The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, referred to in subsec. (d), is Pub. L. 92–522, Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 1027 , as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 31 (§1361 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1361 of Title 16 and Tables.