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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 5419 (102nd)

International Dolphin Conservation Act of 1992

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

17 June 1992

Last action

26 October 1992 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 102-523.

Sponsors

Rep. Studds, Gerry E. [D-MA-10], Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA], Rep. Goss, Porter J. [R-FL-14], Rep. Schroeder, Patricia [D-CO-1], Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5], Rep. Spratt, John M., Jr. [D-SC-5], Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7], Rep. McCloskey, Frank [D-IN-8], Rep. Riggs, Frank [R-CA-1], Rep. Weldon, Curt [R-PA-7], Rep. Bacchus, Jim [D-FL-11], Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10], Rep. Beilenson, Anthony C. [D-CA-24], Rep. Patterson, Elizabeth [D-SC-4], Rep. Peterson, Collin C. [D-MN-7], Rep. Green, S. William [R-NY-15], Rep. Horton, Frank J. [R-NY-29], Rep. Kopetski, Mike [D-OR-5], Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2], Rep. Roukema, Marge [R-NJ-5], Rep. Mrazek, Robert J. [D-NY-3], Rep. Miller, Clarence E. [R-OH-10], Rep. Morella, Constance A. [R-MD-8], Rep. Andrews, Thomas H. [D-ME-1], Rep. Lewis, Thomas F. [R-FL-12], Rep. Solarz, Stephen J. [D-NY-13], Rep. Torres, Esteban Edward [D-CA-34], Rep. Chandler, Rod D. [R-WA-8], Rep. Jefferson, William J. [D-LA-2], Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28], Rep. Molinari, Susan [R-NY-13], Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD], Rep. Aspin, Les [D-WI-1], Rep. Evans, Lane [D-IL-17], Rep. Geren, Pete [D-TX-12], Rep. Foglietta, Thomas M. [D-PA-1], Rep. Atkins, Chester G. [D-MA-5], Rep. Swett, Dick [D-NH-2], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Hayes, James A. [D-LA-7], Rep. Wylie, Chalmers P. [R-OH-15], Rep. Fawell, Harris W. [R-IL-13], Rescom. Colorado, Antonio [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Gingrich, Newt [R-GA-6], Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Roybal, Edward R. [D-CA-25], Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10]

Subjects

Environment, Education

Source updated

14 January 2025

Environment · Education

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

International Dolphin Conservation Act of 1992 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to authorize entering into international agreements establishing a global moratorium, for at least five years, prohibiting harvesting tuna using purse seine nets deployed on or to encircle dolphins or other marine mammals. Allows moratorium termination with respect to the United States before the year 2000 only if the Secretary of Commerce so recommends and the Congress approves. Specifies elements to be contained in such agreements, including requirements for: (1) research regarding tuna fishing methods; (2) review of research proposals by a competent regional organization; (3) the conduct of research by dedicated vessels, approved and observed by a component regional organization; (4) specified limits on the number of research sets and the total annual dolphin mortality; (5) establishment by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission of a panel to report on limit compliance and an Advisory Board to guide research; (6) fair funding mechanisms for the research; (7) use of the proceeds from harvested tuna for the research; and (8) limiting use of U.S. funds to research on fishing methods not involving setting nets on dolphins. Requires review of all research proposals by the Marine Mammal Commission. Requires the Secretary, in certain circumstances, to recommend to the Congress whether the moratorium should be terminated. Prohibits a ban on the importation of yellowfin tuna or yellowfin tuna products from a country which implements the moratorium and meets other requirements. Mandates such a ban regarding countries which do not implement the moratorium and the other requirements. Mandates, a specified period after the tuna ban, a ban on the importation of all fish and fish products, except shrimp and shrimp products, from a country that still fails to implement all the requirements. Imposes additional restrictions on the general permit issued to the American Tunaboat Association, including: (1) limiting total dolphin mortalities; (2) prohibiting deploying purse seine nets on or encircling dolphin schools including certain types of dolphin; and (3) terminating the permit on a specified date. Declares that an international agreement under this Act shall not supersede any provisions of the Act requiring a permit. Makes unlawful certain acts, including: (1) selling, purchasing, or transporting in the United States any tuna or tuna product that is not dolphin safe; (2) purposefully setting a purse seine net on or to encircle any marine mammal; or (3) prohibiting, resisting, or interfering with inspections. Imposes civil and criminal penalties and subjects vessels, cargo, and fish to forfeiture for violations. Defines dolphin safe to mean: (1) not harvested using driftnets; and (2) depending on where harvested, either dolphin safe under specified provisions of the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act or certified as not harvested using purse seine nets set on or encircling dolphins. Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions mandating inclusion in the agreements of research programs. Amends the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 to require that, of the U.S. representatives on the International Commission for the Scientific Investigation of Tuna and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, at least one be chosen from a national conservation, environmental, or animal welfare nongovernmental organization. Requires that the members of a related advisory committee be selected, in addition to other sources, from such an organization. Amends the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations to carry out a specified Treaty on Fisheries Between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America and to carry out the Act.

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

Timeline

  1. 17 June 1992

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 17 June 1992

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 17 June 1992

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 25 June 1992

    Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  5. 25 June 1992

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment.

    Source: Committee

  6. 25 June 1992

    Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).

    Source: Committee

  7. 1 July 1992

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  8. 1 July 1992

    Vote

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 32 - 12.

    Source: Committee

  9. 28 July 1992

    Introduced

    Referred sequentially to the House Committee on Ways and Means for a period ending not later than Aug. 3, 1992 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(v), Rule X.

    Source: IntroReferral

  10. 28 July 1992

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. H. Rept. 102-746, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  11. 28 July 1992

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. H. Rept. 102-746, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  12. 29 July 1992

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  13. 29 July 1992

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  14. 31 July 1992

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 442.

    Source: Calendars

  15. 31 July 1992

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 102-746, Part II.

    Source: Committee

  16. 31 July 1992

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 102-746, Part II.

    Source: Committee

  17. 22 September 1992

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

    Source: Floor

  18. 22 September 1992

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules.

    Source: Floor

  19. 22 September 1992

    Floor

    Mr. Studds moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    Source: Floor

  20. 22 September 1992

    Vote

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed until Sept. 23.

    Source: Floor

  21. 24 September 1992

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  22. 24 September 1992

    Vote

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 389 - 15 (Roll No. 421).

    Source: Floor

  23. 24 September 1992

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 389 - 15 (Roll No. 421).

    Source: Floor

  24. 24 September 1992

    Floor

    Considered as unfinished business.

    Source: Floor

  25. 28 September 1992

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate.

    Source: IntroReferral

  26. 1 October 1992

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  27. 8 October 1992

    Passed

    Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

  28. 8 October 1992

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

  29. 8 October 1992

    Discharge

    Senate Committee on Commerce discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Discharge

  30. 8 October 1992

    Committee

    Senate Committee on Commerce discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Committee

  31. 9 October 1992

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  32. 15 October 1992

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  33. 15 October 1992

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  34. 26 October 1992

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 102-523.

    Source: President

  35. 26 October 1992

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  36. 26 October 1992

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Reported in House (text)

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN

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  • Committee Discharged Senate (text)

    Committee Discharged Senate · EN

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 27 October 1992

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 24 September 1992

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  • Reported to House amended, Part II

    summary · EN · 31 July 1992

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  • Reported to House amended, Part I

    summary · EN · 28 July 1992

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 17 June 1992

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