Whale Conservation and Protection Study Act of 1976

Researched by Laura Berry

9-16-08

Reasons for Authorization:Enacted Oct 17, 1976 by US CongressAgreed whales added amount of aesthetic and scientific interest Whales vital to marine ecosystemsWhales have been over exploited by man for years and their numbers greatly decreasedIncrease in ocean activity of any type threatened whale populations Inadequate knowledge of the ecology, habitat requirement, and population levels of whales

Provisions:

US will work to protect & conserve specific types of whales within 200 miles of ocean Secretary of Commerce through cooperation with marine mammal commission will undertake comprehensive studies of all whales in US watersStudies include conservation and protection of all said whales, Distribution, migration patterns, and population dynamics of whales, Effects of habitat destruction, disease, chemicals, disruption of migratory patterns on whalesSecretary of commerce reports studies with recommendations to Congress no later than January 1, 1980http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?

pid=6477

Enforcement: Enforced by Secretary of CommerceRequired within the Act is cooperation of all federal agencies with Secretary of commerce in carrying out said provisionsSecretary of Commerce, through Secretary of State, forms negotiations with Mexico & Canada to develop agreements

aimed at protection and conservation of whales

How has the Act helped?US has placed emphasis on combined efforts with other nations through international whaling commissions.Goal = effective conservation of whales worldwide Much left to be done in terms of preserving valuable whale population

of 21st century

Summary Holistically, much is know about the natural habitat and behavioral patterns of whales. But due to vastness of the oceans and constantly changing position of whales, it is difficult to get solid, confirmed conclusion about all the different species of whales. This legislation will help make studying whales

much more efficient easier and bring us closer unnecessary exploitation of whales, thus preventing their extinction.