International Dolphin Conservation Program Act

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

21 January 1997

Last action

2 September 1997 · Floor

Status

Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8674)

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 purse seine yellowfin tuna fishing in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. 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. Mandates negotiations to revise the Convention for the Establishment of an Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission regarding: (1) provisions in the Declaration of Panama and the Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks Agreement; and (2) a revised schedule of annual contributions to the Commission. Requires discussions with countries participating (or likely to participate) in the International Dolphin Conservation Program to identify funding sources for research and other measures promoting protection of marine species and the marine ecosystem. Amends the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act regarding the circumstances in which tuna products may be labeled "Dolphin Safe," including requiring certain statements by the vessel's captain (or in certain circumstances the captain and an observer). Mandates implementing regulations, including regulations ensuring the confidentiality of proprietary information and establishing a domestic tracking and verification program addressing the use of weight calculation, well location, and other matters. (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. Mandates emergency regulations in certain circumstances. Requires undertaking or supporting scientific research to further the Program's goals. Authorizes appropriations to study and report to a specified congressional committee on the effect of chase and encirclement on the health and biology of dolphin and dolphin populations taken during purse seine yellowfin tuna fishing in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. 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. Mandates criminal penalties for refusing to permit an authorized officer to board a vessel to search or inspect in connection with enforcement of provisions relating to a global moratorium to prohibit certain tuna harvesting practices. (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

21 January 1997
Introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Source: IntroReferral
21 January 1997
Introduced
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S396-397)
Source: IntroReferral
21 January 1997
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
14 May 1997
Committee
Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-239.
Source: Committee
26 June 1997
Reported
Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Source: Committee
14 July 1997
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 109.
Source: Calendars
14 July 1997
Reported
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Source: Committee
14 July 1997
Reported
Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Source: Committee
23 July 1997
Floor
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S7934)
Source: Floor
30 July 1997
Vote
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99-0. Record Vote No: 207.
Source: Floor
30 July 1997
Floor
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8294-8311)
Source: Floor
2 September 1997
Floor
Senate vitiated previous passage. (consideration: CR S8674)
Source: Floor

Votes

30 July 1997 · Bill Passed · On Passage of the Bill S. 39 · Bill Passed · Official source

Yes 99 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 1

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Reported to Senate · 14 July 1997 · Download file
Introduced in Senate · 21 January 1997 · Download file

Documents

7 official files

Reported to Senate (text)

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Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 30 July 1997
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Reported to Senate (text)
Reported to Senate · EN · 14 July 1997
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Reported to Senate (PDF)
Reported to Senate · EN · 14 July 1997
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Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 14 July 1997
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Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 21 January 1997
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Introduced in Senate (PDF)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 21 January 1997
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Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 21 January 1997
Open at official source
Leesvertaling
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Related records

related to → International Dolphin Conservation Program Act
amends ← To make changes in the bill as reported by committee.

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/senate-bill/39
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/105/s/39
us · 105-s-39 · source updated 7 April 2025