
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC1421h]

 
                         TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
 
                  CHAPTER 31--MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION
 
        SUBCHAPTER V--MARINE MAMMAL HEALTH AND STRANDING RESPONSE
 
Sec. 1421h. Definitions

    In this subchapter, the following definitions apply:
        (1) The term ``Fund'' means the Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality 
    Event Fund established by section 1421d(a) of this title.
        (2) The term ``Office'' means the Office of Protected Resources, 
    in the National Marine Fisheries Service.
        (3) The term ``stranding'' means an event in the wild in which--
            (A) a marine mammal is dead and is--
                (i) on a beach or shore of the United States; or
                (ii) in waters under the jurisdiction of the United 
            States (including any navigable waters); or

            (B) a marine mammal is alive and is--
                (i) on a beach or shore of the United States and unable 
            to return to the water;
                (ii) on a beach or shore of the United States and, 
            although able to return to the water, is in need of apparent 
            medical attention; or
                (iii) in the waters under the jurisdiction of the United 
            States (including any navigable waters), but is unable to 
            return to its natural habitat under its own power or without 
            assistance.

        (4) The term ``stranding network participant'' means a person 
    who is authorized by an agreement under section 1382(c) of this 
    title to take marine mammals as described in section 1379(h)(1) of 
    this title in response to a stranding.
        (5) The term ``Tissue Bank'' means the National Marine Tissue 
    Bank provided for under section 1421f(a) of this title.
        (6) The term ``unusual mortality event'' means a stranding 
    that--
            (A) is unexpected;
            (B) involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal 
        population; and
            (C) demands immediate response.

(Pub. L. 92-522, title IV, Sec. 410, formerly title III, Sec. 309, as 
added Pub. L. 102-587, title III, Sec. 3003(a), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 
5066; renumbered title IV, Sec. 409, and amended Pub. L. 103-238, 
Sec. 24(b), (c)(7), (8), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 565, 566; renumbered 
Sec. 410, Pub. L. 106-555, title II, Sec. 202(a)(1), Dec. 21, 2000, 114 
Stat. 2767.)


                               Amendments

    1994--Par. (1). Pub. L. 103-238, Sec. 24(c)(7), made technical 
amendment to reference to section 1421d(a) of this title to reflect 
renumbering of corresponding section of original act.
    Par. (5). Pub. L. 103-238, Sec. 24(c)(8), made technical amendment 
to reference to section 1421f(a) of this title to reflect renumbering of 
corresponding section of original act.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 1421f-1 of this title.
