An Act to study and provide enhanced protection for whales, and for other purposes.
PL 94-532 (H.R.15445), enacted 10/17/1976

PUBLIC LAW 94-532—OCT. 17, 1976 
90 STAT. 2491 
Public Law 94-532 
94th Congress 
An Act 
To study and provide enhanced protection for whales, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That this Act may 
be cited as the "Whale Conservation and Protection Study Act". 
FINDINGS 
SEC. 2. The Congress finds that— 
(1) whales are a unicjue resource of great aesthetic and scientific 
interest to mankind and are a vital part of the marine ecosystem; 
(2) whales have been overexploited by man for many years, 
severely reducing several species and endangering others; 
(3) the United States has extended its authority and responsi-
bility to conserve and protect all marine mammals, including 
whales, out to a two hundred nautical mile limit by enactment of 
the Fishery (Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (Public 
Law 94^265); 
(4) the conservation and protection of certain species of whales, 
including the California gray, bowhead, sperm, and killer whale, 
are of particular interest to citizens of the United States; 
(5) increased ocean activity of all types may threaten the whale 
stocks found within the two hundred-mile jurisdiction of the 
United States and added protection of such stocks may be 
necessary; 
(6) there is inadequate knowledge of the ecology, habitat 
requirements, and population levels and dynamics of all whales 
found in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; 
and 
(7) further study of such matters is required in order for the 
United States to carry out its responsibilities for the conservation 
and protection of marine mammals. 
STUDY BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE 
SEC. 3. The Secr-^tary of Connnerce, in consultation with the Marine 
Mammal Commission and the coastal States, shall undertake compre-
hensive studies of all whales found in waters subject to the jurisdiction 
of the United States, including the fishery conservation zone as defined 
in section (3) (8) of the Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1802(8)). Such studies shall take into consideration all 
relevant factors regarding (1) the conservation and protection of all 
such whales, (2) the distribution, migration patterns, and population 
dynamics of these mammals, and (3) the effects on all such whales of 
habitat destruction, disease, pesticides and other chemicals, disrup-
tion of migration patterns, and food shortages for the purpose of 
developing adequate and effective measures, including appropriate 
laws and regulations, to conserve and protect such mammals. The Sec-
retary of Commerce shall report on such studies, together with such 
recommendations as he deems appropriate, including suggested legis-
lation, to the Congress no later than January 1,1980. 
Oct. 17, 1976 
[H.R. 15445] 
Whale 
Conservation and 
Protection Study 
Act 
16USC917note. 
16 u s e 917. 
Ante, p. 331. 
16 u s e 1801 
note. 
16 u s e 917a. 
Report to 
Congress. 
90 STAT. 2492 
PUBLIC LAW 94-532—OCT. 17, 1976 
COOPERATION OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES 
16 use 917b. 
SEC. 4. All Federal agencies shall cooperate, to the fullest extent 
possible, with the Secretary of Commerce in preparing the study and 
recommendations required by section 3. 
INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS 
16 use 917c. 
SEC. 6. The Secretarj^ of Commerce, through the Secretary of State, 
shall immediately initiate negotiations for the purpose of developing 
appropriate bilateral agreements with Mexico and Canada for the 
protection and conservation of whales. 
AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS 
16 use 917d. 
SEC. 6. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, 
there is hereby authorized to be appropriated a sum not to exceed 
$1,000,000 for fiscal years 1978 and 1979. 
Approved October 17, 1976. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 94-1574 (eomm. on Merchant Marine and Fisheries). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 122 (1976): 
Sept. 20, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 28, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 1, House concurred in Senate amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 12, No. 43: 
Oct. 18, Presidential statement.