IB 
Union Calendar No. 268 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 2693 
[Report No. 108–464] 
To reauthorize the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 10, 2003 
Mr. GILCHREST (for himself and Mr. POMBO) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Resources 
APRIL 20, 2004 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 10, 2003] 
A BILL 
To reauthorize the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Marine Mammal Protec-
tion Act Amendments of 2004’’.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT REFERENCES. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in 
this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of 
an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, 
the reference shall be considered to be made to such section 
or other provision of the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.). 
SEC. 3. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) COMMITTEE REFERENCES.—The Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Committee on Re-
sources’’. 
(b) OBSOLETE REFERENCE
TO SECTION.—Section 
118(c)(3)(A)(i) (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(3)(A)(i)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘, except that’’ and all that follows through ‘‘is 
valid’’. 
SEC. 4. LIMITED AUTHORITY TO EXPORT MARINE MAMMAL 
PRODUCTS. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Section 101(a)(6) (16 U.S.C. 
1371(a)(6)) is amended by redesignating subparagraph (B) 
as subparagraph (C), and by inserting after subparagraph 
(A) the following: 
‘‘(B) A marine mammal product may be ex-
ported from the United States if the product—
‘‘(i) is legally possessed, and exported by, a 
citizen of the United States for noncommercial 
purposes in conjunction with travel outside the 
United States and the product is imported into 
the United States by the same person upon the 
termination of travel; 
‘‘(ii) is legally possessed and exported as 
part of a cultural exchange, by an Indian, Aleut, 
or Eskimo residing in Alaska; or 
‘‘(iii) is owned by a Native inhabitant of 
Russia, Canada, or Greenland and is exported 
for noncommercial purposes— 
‘‘(I) in conjunction with, and upon the 
completion of, travel within the United 
States; or 
‘‘(II) as part of a cultural exchange 
with an Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo residing 
in Alaska.’’. 
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
101(a)(6)(A)(i) (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(6)(A)(i)) is amended by 
inserting ‘‘for noncommercial purposes’’ after ‘‘United 
States’’ the first place it appears.
SEC. 5. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIA-
TIONS. 
(a) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.—Section 116(a) (16 
U.S.C. 1384(a)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.—(1) There are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Department of Commerce, 
for purposes of carrying out its functions and responsibil-
ities under this title (other than sections 117 and 118) and 
title IV— 
‘‘(A) $23,728,000 for 2004; 
‘‘(B) $24,378,000 for 2005; 
‘‘(C) $25,028,000 for 2006; 
‘‘(D) $25,678,000 for 2007; and 
‘‘(E) $26,328,000 for 2008. 
‘‘(2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Department of Commerce, for purposes of carrying out sec-
tions 117 and 118, $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 
2004 through 2008.’’. 
(b) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.—Section 116(b) 
(16 U.S.C. 1384(b)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.—There are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Department of the Inte-
rior, for purposes of carrying out its functions and respon-
sibilities under this title— 
‘‘(1) $11,800,000 for 2004; 
‘‘(2) $12,300,000 for 2005;
(7) In subsection (c)(5)(B) by striking ‘‘commer-
cial’’. 
(8) In subsection (d)(1) in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘commercial fishing op-
erations’’ and inserting ‘‘fishing operations in a fish-
ery listed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(9) In subsection (d)(3) in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘commercial fisheries’’ 
and inserting ‘‘fisheries listed under subsection 
(c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(10) In subsection (d)(4) as follows: 
(A) In the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A) by striking ‘‘commercial fisheries’’ and in-
serting 
‘‘fisheries 
listed 
under 
subsection 
(c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(B) In subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘com-
mercial fisheries’’ and inserting ‘‘fisheries listed 
under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(C) In subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘com-
mercial fisheries’’ and inserting ‘‘fisheries listed 
under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(D) In subparagraph (C) by striking ‘‘com-
mercial fisheries’’ and inserting ‘‘fisheries listed 
under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’.
(11) In subsection (d)(5) by striking ‘‘commer-
cial fishing operations’’ and inserting ‘‘fishing oper-
ations in fisheries listed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) 
or (ii)’’. 
(12) In subsection (e) in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘commercial’’ each place it 
appears; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘this Act’’ and inserting 
‘‘this section’’. 
(13) In subsection (f) by striking so much as pre-
cedes paragraph (2) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(f) TAKE REDUCTION PLANS.—(1) The Secretary 
shall develop and implement a take reduction plan designed 
to assist in the recovery or prevent the depletion of each 
strategic stock which interacts with a fishery listed under 
subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii), unless the Secretary deter-
mines, after notice and opportunity for public comment, 
that the level of fishery related mortality and serious injury 
is having a negligible impact on that stock. The Secretary 
may develop and implement a take reduction plan for any 
other marine mammal stocks which interact with a fishery 
listed under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) which the Secretary de-
termines, after notice and opportunity for public comment,
has a high level of mortality and serious injury across a 
number of such marine mammal stocks.’’. 
(14) In subsection (f)(2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘6 months’’ and inserting 
‘‘9 months’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘commercial fishing oper-
ations’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘fishing operations in fisheries listed under sub-
section (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(15) In subsection (f)(3) by striking ‘‘commer-
cial’’. 
(16) In subsection (f)(4)(B) by striking ‘‘com-
mercial fishing operations’’ and inserting ‘‘fishing op-
erations 
in 
fisheries 
listed 
under 
subsection 
(c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(17) In subsection (f)(5)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘6 
months’’ and inserting ‘‘9 months’’; and 
(B) in subparagraphs (A) and (B) by strik-
ing ‘‘commercial’’ each place it appears. 
(18) In subsection (f)(6)(A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(not later than 30 days)’’; 
and
(B) in clause (ii) by striking ‘‘commercial 
fisheries’’ and inserting ‘‘fisheries listed under 
subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(19) In subsection (f)(6)(C) in the second sen-
tence, by inserting before the period the following: ‘‘, 
a representative of the office of General Counsel of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a 
representative of the National Marine Fisheries Serv-
ice having responsibilities related to fisheries science, 
a representative of the National Marine Fisheries 
Service having responsibilities related to law enforce-
ment, and a representative of the appropriate Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service Regional Adminis-
trator’’. 
(20) In subsection (f)(7)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i) by striking ‘‘6 
months’’ and inserting ‘‘9 months’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B)(i)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘not later than 60 
days’’ and inserting ‘‘not later than 120 
days’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘Before publishing any plan that is dif-
ferent than the draft plan proposed by a 
take reduction team, the Secretary shall re-
convene the team and explain to the team 
the differences between the published plan 
and the draft plan proposed by the team.’’; 
and 
(C) in subparagraph (B)(ii)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘6 months’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘9 months’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘not later than 8 
months’’ and inserting ‘‘not later than 11 
months’’. 
(21) In subsection (f)(7)(C) by striking ‘‘Not 
later than 60 days’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later than 90 
days’’. 
(22) In subsection (f)(7)(D) by striking ‘‘com-
mercial’’. 
(23) In subsection (f)(8)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C) by striking ‘‘Not 
later than 60 days’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later 
than 180 days’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘commercial’’ each place it 
appears. 
(24) In subsection (f)(9) as follows: 
(A) In subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘com-
mercial fisheries or restrict commercial fisheries’’
and inserting ‘‘fisheries listed under subsection 
(c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii) or restrict such fisheries’’. 
(B) In subparagraphs (B) and (C) by strik-
ing ‘‘commercial’’ each place it appears. 
(C) In subparagraph (D) by striking ‘‘com-
mercial fishing operations’’ and inserting ‘‘par-
ticipation in a fishery listed under subsection 
(c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(25) In subsection (g)(1) by striking ‘‘commer-
cial fisheries’’ and inserting ‘‘fisheries listed under 
subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(26) In subsection (g)(3)(B) by striking ‘‘com-
mercial’’. 
(27) In subsection (g)(4) by striking ‘‘commer-
cial fishery’’ and inserting ‘‘fishery listed under sub-
section (c)(1)(A)(i) or (ii)’’. 
(28) In subsection (j) by inserting ‘‘including ob-
server, research, and education and outreach pro-
grams,’’ after ‘‘For purposes of carrying out this sec-
tion,’’. 
(29) By amending subsection (d)(1)(C) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(C) identify current fishery regulations and 
changes in fishing methods or technology that may
SEC. 7. PINNIPED RESEARCH. 
Section 120 (16 U.S.C. 1389) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(k) RESEARCH ON NONLETHAL REMOVAL AND CON-
TROL.—(1) The Secretary shall conduct research on the 
nonlethal removal and control of nuisance pinnipeds. The 
research shall include a review of measures that have been 
taken to effect such removal and control, the effectiveness 
of these measures, and the development of new technologies 
to deter nuisance pinnipeds. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary shall include, among the individ-
uals that develop the research program under this sub-
section, representatives of the commercial and recreational 
fishing industries. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary is encouraged, where appropriate, 
to use independent marine mammal research institutions 
in developing and in conducting the research program. 
‘‘(4) The Secretary shall, by December 31 of each year, 
submit an annual report on the results of research under 
this subsection to the Committee on Resources of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate.’’. 
SEC. 8. MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION. 
(a) NUMBER
OF EMPLOYEES.—Section 206(5) (16 
U.S.C. 1406(5)) is amended by striking ‘‘; except that no
fewer than 11 employees must be employed under para-
graph (1) at any time’’. 
(b) ADMINISTRATION.—Section 206(4) (16 U.S.C. 
1406(4)) is amended by striking ‘‘(but at rates for individ-
uals not to exceed $100 per diem)’’. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
207 (16 U.S.C. 1407) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated to the Ma-
rine Mammal Commission for purposes of carrying out this 
title— 
‘‘(1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; 
‘‘(2) $2,050,000 for fiscal year 2005; 
‘‘(3) $2,100,000 for fiscal year 2006; 
‘‘(4) $2,150,000 for fiscal year 2007; and 
‘‘(5) $2,200,000 for fiscal year 2008.’’. 
SEC. 9. SCRIMSHAW EXEMPTION. 
Any valid certificate of exemption referred to in section 
18 of Public Law 103–238 (16 U.S.C. 1539 note) that was 
valid under that section on April 29, 1999, shall be valid 
during the 8-year period beginning October 31, 1999. 
SEC. 10. POLAR BEAR PERMITS. 
Section 104 (16 U.S.C. 1374) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(5)(D)—
(A) by striking ‘‘the date of enactment of 
the Marine Mammal Protection Act Amendments 
of 1994’’ and inserting ‘‘February 18, 1997’’; 
and 
(B) by striking ‘‘, expeditiously after the ex-
piration of the applicable 30 day period under 
subsection (d)(2),’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)(2) by inserting before the 
period at the end of the first sentence the following: 
‘‘, except for an application for a permit to import 
polar bear parts under subsection (c)(5)’’; 
(3) in subsection (d)(5) by inserting before the 
period at the end of the last sentence the following: ‘‘if 
a notice of application was required to be published 
pursuant to paragraph (2) with respect to the per-
mit’’; and 
(4) in subsection (c)(5) by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(E) The Secretary shall make available to the public 
on a semiannual basis information concerning the permits 
issued or denied under this paragraph.’’. 
SEC. 11. CAPTIVE RELEASE PROHIBITION. 
Section 102(a) (16 U.S.C. 1372(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4) by striking ‘‘subsection 
104(c); and’’ and inserting ‘‘section 104(c);’’;
(2) in paragraph (5) by striking the period and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) for any person that is subject to the juris-
diction of the United States to release any captive 
marine mammal unless specifically authorized to do 
so under section 104(c)(3)(A), 104(c)(4)(A), or 
109(h).’’. 
SEC. 12. STRANDING AND ENTANGLEMENT RESPONSE. 
(a) COLLECTION AND UPDATING OF INFORMATION.— 
Section 402(b)(1)(A) (16 U.S.C. 1421a(b)(1)(A)) is amend-
ed by inserting ‘‘or entangled’’ after ‘‘stranded’’. 
(b) ENTANGLEMENT RESPONSE AGREEMENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 403 (16 U.S.C. 
1421b) is amended— 
(A) by amending the section heading to 
read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 403. STRANDING OR ENTANGLEMENT RESPONSE 
AGREEMENTS.’’; 
and 
(B) in subsection (a) by inserting ‘‘or en-
tanglement’’ before the period. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of con-
tents at the end of the first section is amended by
striking the item relating to section 403 and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘Sec. 403. Stranding or entanglement response agreements.’’. 
(c) LIABILITY.—Section 406(a) (16 U.S.C. 1421e(a)) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘or entanglement’’ after ‘‘strand-
ing’’. 
(d) ENTANGLEMENT DEFINED.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 410 (16 U.S.C. 
1421h) is amended— 
(A) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(1) 
through (6) in order as paragraphs (2) through 
(7); and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so 
redesignated) the following: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘entanglement’ means an event in 
the wild in which a living or dead marine mammal 
has gear, rope, line, net, or other material wrapped 
around or attached to it and is— 
‘‘(A) on a beach or shore of the United 
States; or 
‘‘(B) in waters under the jurisdiction of the 
United States.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
408(a)(2)(B)(i) (16 U.S.C. 1421f–1(a)(2)(B)(i)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 410(6)’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 410(7)’’.
(e) AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) GRANT
PROGRAM.—Section 
408(h) 
(16 
U.S.C. 1421f–1(h)) is amended by striking ‘‘fiscal 
years 2001 through 2003’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal years 
2004 through 2008’’. 
(2) FUND.—Section 409(3) (16 U.S.C. 1421g(3)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘$500,000 for fiscal year 
1993’’ and inserting ‘‘$125,000 for each of fiscal years 
2004 through 2008’’. 
(f) Section 408 (16 U.S.C. 1421f–1), is amended— 
(1) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(1) the 
following: ‘‘All funds available to implement this sec-
tion shall be distributed to eligible stranding network 
participants for the three purposes set forth in this 
paragraph, except as provided in subsection (f).’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND EXPENSES.—Of the 
amounts available each fiscal year to carry out this section, 
the Secretary shall not expend more than 6 percent or 
$80,000, whichever is greater, to pay the administrative 
costs and administrative expenses to implement the grant 
program provided for in subsection (a)(1). Any funds re-
tained by the Secretary shall be used only for such adminis-
trative costs and expenses and any such funds that are not 
expended by the Secretary at the end of each fiscal year
shall be expended as grants pursuant to the grant program 
established by subsection (a)(1).’’. 
SEC. 13. DEFINITION OF HARASSMENT. 
Section 3(18) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(18)(A) The term ‘harassment’ means any act 
that— 
‘‘(i) injures or has the potential to injure a 
marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the 
wild; 
‘‘(ii) disturbs or has the potential to disturb 
a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in 
the wild by causing disruption of biologically 
significant behaviors, including, but not limited 
to, surfacing, migration, breeding, care of young, 
predator avoidance, defense, or feeding to a point 
where such behavioral patterns are significantly 
altered; or 
‘‘(iii) is directed toward a specific indi-
vidual, group, or stock of marine mammals in 
the wild that is likely to disturb the individual, 
group, or stock of marine mammals by dis-
rupting behavior, including, but not limited to, 
surfacing, migration, breeding, care of young, 
predator avoidance, defense, or feeding.
‘‘(B) The term ‘Level A harassment’ means har-
assment described in subparagraph (A)(i). 
‘‘(C) The term ‘Level B harassment’ means har-
assment described in subparagraph (A) (ii) or (iii).’’. 
SEC. 14. INCIDENTAL TAKINGS OF MARINE MAMMALS. 
Section 101(a)(5) (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘of small 
numbers’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (D)(i) by striking ‘‘of small 
numbers’’; and 
SEC. 15. TUNA-DOLPHIN PROVISIONS. 
Subsection (c) of the Dolphin Protection Consumer In-
formation Act (16 U.S.C. 1385) is amended in paragraph 
(2) by striking ‘‘160 degrees west longitude’’ and inserting 
‘‘150 degrees west longitude’’. 
SEC. 16. PERMIT CLARIFICATIONS. 
Section 104 (16 U.S.C. 1374) is amended as follows: 
(1) Subsection (c)(7) is amended by inserting 
‘‘notwithstanding any other provision of law’’ after 
‘‘requesting the permit’’. 
(2) Subsection (c)(9) is amended— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘the Secretary of Agri-
culture determines, and then certifies to the Sec-
retary, that’’ after ‘‘unless’’; and
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘The Secretary may not require or request, 
through comity or any other means, that any 
marine mammal remain subject to the jurisdic-
tion of the United States when that marine 
mammal or its progeny is located in waters or 
on lands subject to the jurisdiction of another 
country.’’. 
(3) Subsection (c)(10) is amended— 
(A) in the first sentence by inserting ‘‘held 
within the lands and waters of the United 
States’’ after ‘‘marine mammals’’ each place it 
appears; 
(B) in the second sentence by inserting ‘‘, 
which shall be updated on an annual basis,’’ 
after ‘‘inventory’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (D) by inserting 
‘‘ownership, or other’’ after ‘‘date of’’. 
SEC. 17. FISHERIES GEAR DEVELOPMENT. 
Section 111 (16 U.S.C. 1381) is amended as follows: 
(1) Subsection (a) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Commerce 
(in this section referred to as the ‘Secretary’) shall—
‘‘(A) carry out a program of research and 
development for the purpose of devising improved 
fishing methods and gear so as to reduce to the 
maximum extent practicable the incidental tak-
ing of marine mammals in connection with fish-
ing operations; and 
‘‘(B) make every practicable effort to de-
velop, evaluate, and make available to owners 
and operators of fishing vessels such gear and 
fishing method improvements as quickly as pos-
sible. 
‘‘(2) COORDINATION WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.— 
The Secretary may coordinate with other countries to 
foster gear technology transfer initiatives to reduce to 
the maximum extent practicable the incidental mor-
tality and serious injury of marine mammals 
throughout the full extent of their range.’’. 
(2) By adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) GEAR RESEARCH MINI-GRANT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of 
appropriations, the Secretary may establish a grant 
program to provide financial assistance for devel-
oping, manufacturing, testing, or designing new types 
of fishing gear designed to reduce to the maximum ex-
tent practicable the incidental taking (including inci-
dental mortality and serious injury) of marine mam-
mals. 
‘‘(2) GRANT
AMOUNT
AND
PURPOSES.—The 
amount of a grant under this subsection may not ex-
ceed $20,000. 
‘‘(3) GRANT APPLICATIONS.—To receive a grant 
under this section, an applicant must submit an ap-
plication in such form and manner as the Secretary 
may prescribe. 
‘‘(4) CONSULTATION REGARDING CRITERIA.—The 
Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of the Inte-
rior and the Marine Mammal Commission regarding 
the development of criteria for the awarding of grants 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(5) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS.—Of 
amounts 
available each fiscal year to carry out this subsection, 
the Secretary may expend not more than $40,000 to 
pay the administrative expenses necessary to carry 
out this subsection. 
‘‘(6) CONTRIBUTIONS.—For purposes of carrying 
out this section, the Secretary may accept, solicit, re-
ceive, hold, administer, and use gifts, devises, and be-
quests.’’. 
SEC. 18. MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCH GRANTS. 
Section 110 (16 U.S.C. 1380) is amended—
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE; ANNUAL RE-
PORT.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE.—The Sec-
retary may make grants, or provide financial assist-
ance in such other form as the Secretary considers ap-
propriate, to any Federal or State agency, public or 
private institution, or other person for the purpose of 
assisting such agency, institution, or person to under-
take research in subjects that are relevant to the pro-
tection and conservation of marine mammals, and the 
ecosystems upon which they depend, including, but 
not limited to, the Bering/Chukchi Sea ecosystem and 
the California coastal marine ecosystem. 
‘‘(2) INCLUSION OF INFORMATION IN REPORTS.— 
The Secretary shall include a description of the an-
nual results of research carried out with assistance 
under this section in the report required under section 
103(f). 
‘‘(3) CONTRIBUTIONS.—For purposes of carrying 
out this section, the Secretary may accept, solicit, re-
ceive, hold, administer, and use gifts, devises, and be-
quests.’’; and 
(2) by striking subsections (c) and (d).