---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1421b"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1421b"
heading: "Stranding or entanglement response agreements"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1421b"
units:
  - "Chapter 31 — Marine Mammal Protection"
  - "Subchapter V — Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response"
---

# §1421b. Stranding or entanglement response agreements

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/1362.md?p=12-A) may enter into an agreement under [section 1382(c) of this title](/usc/16/1382.md?p=c) with any [person](/usc/16/1362.md?p=10) to [take](/usc/16/1362.md?p=13) [marine mammals](/usc/16/1362.md?p=6) under [section 1379(h)(1) of this title](/usc/16/1379.md?p=h-1) in response to a [stranding](/usc/16/1421h.md?p=6) or [entanglement](/usc/16/1421h.md?p=1).
- (b) **Required provision—** An agreement authorized by [subsection (a)](#a) shall—
  - (1) specify each [person](/usc/16/1362.md?p=10) who is authorized to perform activities under the agreement;
  - (2) specify any terms and conditions under which a [person](/usc/16/1362.md?p=10) so specified may delegate that authority to another [person](/usc/16/1362.md?p=10); and
  - (3) include a description of the data [management](/usc/16/1362.md?p=2) and public outreach policy established under [section 1421a(f) of this title](/usc/16/1421a.md?p=f).
- (c) **Review—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/1362.md?p=12-A) shall periodically review agreements under [section 1382(c) of this title](/usc/16/1382.md?p=c) that are entered into pursuant to this subchapter, for performance adequacy and effectiveness.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 92–522, title IV, § 403, formerly title III, § 303, as added Pub. L. 102–587, title III, § 3003(a), Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5061; renumbered title IV, § 403, Pub. L. 103–238, § 24(b), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 565; amended Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title CIV, § 10402(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3983.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–263, § 10402(a)(1), inserted “or entanglement” before “response” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–263, § 10402(a)(2), inserted “or entanglement” after “stranding”.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 117–263, § 10402(a)(3), added par. (3).