---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1412"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1412"
heading: "International Dolphin Conservation Program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1412"
units:
  - "Chapter 31 — Marine Mammal Protection"
  - "Subchapter IV — International Dolphin Conservation Program"
---

# §1412. International Dolphin Conservation Program


The Secretary of State, in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/16/1362.md?p=12-A), shall seek to secure a binding international agreement to establish an [International Dolphin Conservation Program](/usc/16/1362.md?p=28) that requires—

- (1) that the total annual dolphin mortality in the purse seine [fishery](/usc/16/1362.md?p=16) for yellowfin tuna in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean shall not exceed 5,000 animals with a commitment and objective to progressively reduce dolphin mortality to a level approaching zero through the setting of annual limits;
- (2) the establishment of a per-[stock](/usc/16/1362.md?p=11) per-year dolphin mortality limit, to be in effect through calendar year 2000, at a level between 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent of the [minimum population estimate](/usc/16/1362.md?p=27), as calculated, revised, or approved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1362.md?p=12-A);
- (3) the establishment of a per-[stock](/usc/16/1362.md?p=11) per-year dolphin mortality limit, beginning with the calendar year 2001, at a level less than or equal to 0.1 percent of the [minimum population estimate](/usc/16/1362.md?p=27) as calculated, revised, or approved by the [Secretary](/usc/16/1362.md?p=12-A);
- (4) that if a dolphin mortality limit is exceeded under—
  - (A) [paragraph (1)](#1), all sets on dolphins shall cease for the applicable fishing year; and
  - (B) paragraph [(2)](#2) or [(3)](#3), all sets on the [stocks](/usc/16/1362.md?p=11) covered under paragraph [(2)](#2) or [(3)](#3) and any mixed schools that contain any of those [stocks](/usc/16/1362.md?p=11) shall cease for the applicable fishing year;
- (5) a scientific review and assessment to be conducted in calendar year 1998 to—
  - (A) assess progress in meeting the objectives set for calendar year 2000 under [paragraph (2)](#2); and
  - (B) as appropriate, consider recommendations for meeting these objectives;
- (6) a scientific review and assessment to be conducted in calendar year 2000—
  - (A) to review the [stocks](/usc/16/1362.md?p=11) covered under [paragraph (3)](#3); and
  - (B) as appropriate to consider recommendations to further the objectives set under that paragraph;
- (7) the establishment of a per vessel maximum annual dolphin mortality limit consistent with the established per-year mortality limits, as determined under paragraphs [(1)](#1) through [(3)](#3); and
- (8) the provision of a system of incentives to vessel captains to continue to reduce dolphin mortality, with the goal of eliminating dolphin mortality.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 92–522, title III, § 302, as added Pub. L. 105–42, § 6(c), Aug. 15, 1997, 111 Stat. 1130.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1412, Pub. L. 92–522, title III, § 302, as added Pub. L. 102–523, § 2(a), Oct. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 3426, related to international agreements to establish global moratorium to prohibit certain tuna harvesting practices prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–42, § 6(c), Aug. 15, 1997, 111 Stat. 1130.

A prior section 302 of Pub. L. 92–522 was renumbered section 402 and is classified to section 1421a of this title.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

For effective date of section, see section 8 of Pub. L. 105–42, set out as an Effective Date of 1997 Amendment note under section 1362 of this title.