Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

16 U.S.C. § 1421h

Definitions

In this subchapter, the following definitions apply:
(1)
The term “entangle” or “entanglement” means an event in the wild in which a living or dead marine mammal has gear, rope, line, net, or other material wrapped around or attached to the marine mammal and is—
(A)
on lands under the jurisdiction of the United States, including beaches and shorelines; or
(B)
in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States, including any navigable waters.
(2)
section 1421f–1 of this titlesection 1421d(a) of this title Except as used in , the term “Fund” means the Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Event Fund established by .
(3)
section 1421f–2(a)(1) of this title The term “Health MAP” means the Marine Mammal Health Monitoring and Analysis Platform established under .
(4)
section 3603 of title 33 The term “Observation System” means the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System established under .
(5)
The term “Office” means the Office of Protected Resources, in the National Marine Fisheries Service.
(6)
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.
(7)
section 1382(c) of this titlesection 1379(h)(1) of this title The term “stranding network participant” means a person who is authorized by an agreement under to take marine mammals as described in in response to a stranding.
(8)
section 1421f(a) of this title The term “Tissue Bank” means the National Marine Tissue Bank provided for under .
(9)
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, § 410Pub. L. 102–587, title III, § 3003(a)106 Stat. 5066Pub. L. 103–238, § 24(b)108 Stat. 565Pub. L. 106–555, title II, § 202(a)(1)114 Stat. 2767Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title CIV, § 10410136 Stat. 3992(, formerly title III, § 309, as added , , ; renumbered title IV, § 409, and amended , (c)(7), (8), , , 566; renumbered § 410, , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–263, § 10410(2)2022—Par. (1). , added par. (1). Former par. (1) redesignated (2).

Pub. L. 117–263, § 10410(3)section 1421f–1 of this titlePar. (2). , substituted “Except as used in , the term” for “The term”.

Pub. L. 117–263, § 10410(1), redesignated par. (1) as (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (5).

Pub. L. 117–263, § 10410(1)Pars. (3) to (9). , (4), added pars. (3) and (4) and redesignated former pars. (2) to (6) as (5) to (9), respectively.

Pub. L. 103–238, § 24(c)(7)section 1421d(a) of this title1994—Par. (1). , made technical amendment to reference to to reflect renumbering of corresponding section of original act.

Pub. L. 103–238, § 24(c)(8)section 1421f(a) of this titlePar. (5). , made technical amendment to reference to to reflect renumbering of corresponding section of original act.