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United States · Bill · S

S. 1420 (104th)

International Dolphin Conservation Program Act

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

17 November 1995

Last action

30 September 1996 · Reported

Status

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 637.

Sponsors

Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK], Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA], Sen. Chafee, John H. [R-RI], Sen. Johnston, J. Bennett [D-LA], Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK], Sen. Moseley-Braun, Carol [D-IL], Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC], Sen. Simpson, Alan K. [R-WY]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

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Summary

International Dolphin Conservation Program Act - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow authorizations for the incidental taking of marine mammals during commercial yellowfin tuna fishing. Removes provisions requiring that, for purse seine yellowfin fishing, the goal of reducing incidental kill or serious injury to insignificant levels approaching zero be satisfied by the best safety techniques and equipment economically and technologically practicable. Modifies requirements regarding export by another nation to the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested with purse seine nets in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Exempts a U.S. citizen from the Act in specified circumstances. Changes requirements regarding the issuance of general permits for the taking of marine mammals. Amends the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act regarding the circumstances in which tuna products may be labeled "Dolphin Safe," including allowing such labeling if (among other qualifying circumstances): (1) with regard to harvesting in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, the vessel's captain and a Program-approved observer state that no dolphins were killed during the sets in which that tuna was caught; and (2) with regard to harvesting outside the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, the vessel's captain (or in certain circumstances the captain and an observer) state that no purse seine net was intentionally deployed on or to encircle dolphins during the voyage. Mandates implementing regulations, including regulations addressing the use of weight calculation and well location. (Sec. 5) Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to declare that it is U.S. policy to support the International Dolphin Conservation Program and to ensure that the U.S. market does not act as an incentive to tuna harvesting that is not in compliance with the Program. Mandates regulations to authorize and govern the incidental taking of marine mammals in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, including any species designated as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 but not listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Authorizes emergency regulations in certain circumstances. Requires undertaking or supporting scientific research to further the Program's goals. Repeals existing research program provisions. Repeals provisions relating to bans on imports from countries failing to implement a moratorium on purse seine harvesting of tuna. Replaces provisions concerning permits for taking dolphins with provisions mandating issuance of a permit to a U.S. vessel authorizing participation in the Program. Prohibits U.S. vessels from operating in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean yellowfin tuna fishery without such a permit. Authorizes permit sanctions for violations of prohibited acts provisions of the Act. Modifies the list of prohibited acts. (Sec. 6) Amends the Tuna Conventions Act to modify the composition of the U.S. representation on the International Commission for the Scientific Investigation of Tuna and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. Modifies requirements regarding a related advisory committee.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 17 November 1995

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 17 November 1995

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S17339-17340)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 17 November 1995

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 30 April 1996

    Committee

    Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

  5. 6 June 1996

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

    Source: Committee

  6. 30 September 1996

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 637.

    Source: Calendars

  7. 30 September 1996

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Pressler with amendments. With written report No. 104-373.

    Source: Committee

  8. 30 September 1996

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Pressler with amendments. With written report No. 104-373.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

6 official files

Reported to Senate (text)

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 30 September 1996

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 30 September 1996

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 30 September 1996

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 17 November 1995

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 17 November 1995

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 17 November 1995

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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