1. Researched by Laura Berry 9-16-08

2. Reasons for Authorization:  Enacted Oct 17, 1976 by US Congress  Agreed whales added amount of aesthetic and scientific interest  Whales vital to marine ecosystems  Whales have been over exploited by man for years and their numbers greatly decreased  Increase in ocean activity of any type threatened whale populations  Inadequate knowledge of the ecology, habitat requirement, and population levels of whales

3. Provisions:  US will work to protect & conserve specific types of whales within 200 miles of ocean  Secretary of Commerce through cooperation with marine mammal commission will undertake comprehensive studies of all whales in US waters  Studies include conservation and protection of all said whales,  Distribution, migration patterns, and population dynamics of whales,  Effects of habitat destruction, disease, chemicals, disruption of migratory patterns on whales  Secretary of commerce reports studies with recommendations to Congress no later than January 1, 1980 http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=6477

4. Enforcement:  Enforced by Secretary of Commerce  Required within the Act is cooperation of all federal agencies with Secretary of commerce in carrying out said provisions  Secretary of Commerce, through Secretary of State, forms negotiations with Mexico & Canada to develop agreements aimed at protection and conservation of whales

5. How has the Act helped?  US has placed emphasis on combined efforts with other nations through international whaling commissions.  Goal = effective conservation of whales worldwide  Much left to be done in terms of preserving valuable whale population of 21 st century

6. Summary  Holistically, much is know about the natural habitat and behavioral patterns of whales.  But due to vastness of the oceans and constantly changing position of whales, it is difficult to get solid, confirmed conclusion about all the different species of whales.  This legislation will help make studying whales much more efficient easier and bring us closer unnecessary exploitation of whales, thus preventing their extinction.