§1421h Definitions

Summary

Lists key words used for dealing with marine mammal strandings, entanglements, and responses. It names the main events, groups, and tools people use when whales, dolphins, or seals are stuck, sick, or dead. Entangle — when a live or dead marine mammal in U.S. lands or waters has gear, rope, net, or other material wrapped on or attached to it. Fund — except when used in section 1421f–1, means the Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Event Fund created by section 1421d(a). Health MAP — the Marine Mammal Health Monitoring and Analysis Platform from section 1421f–2(a)(1). Observation System — the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (section 3603 of title 33). Office — the Office of Protected Resources at the National Marine Fisheries Service. Stranding — a wild event where a marine mammal is dead on U.S. shore or waters, or alive on shore or in U.S. waters and cannot return to its habitat or needs medical help. Stranding network participant — a person authorized under section 1382(c) to take marine mammals as allowed by section 1379(h)(1) to respond to strandings. Tissue Bank — the National Marine Tissue Bank under section 1421f(a). Unusual mortality event — a stranding that is unexpected, involves a large die-off of any marine mammal population, and needs an immediate response.