Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 86.djvu/1084

 1042

Research i observation.

PUBLIC LAW 92-522-OCT. 21, 1972

[86 STAT.

of the Commission as soon as is practicable as to the utilization of methods and gear devised under subsection (a) of this section. (d) Furthermore, after timely notice and during the period of research provided in this section, duly authorized agents of the Secretary are hereby empowered to board and to accompany any commercial fishing vessel documented under the laws of the United States, there being space available, on a regular fishing trip for the purpose of conducting research or Observing operations in regard to the development of impi-oved fishing methods and gear as authorized by this section. Such research and observation shall be carried out in such manner as to minimize interference with fishing operations. The Secretary shall provide for the cost of quartering and maintaining such agents. No master, operator, or owner of such a vessel shall impair or in any way interfere with the research or observation being carried out by agents of the Secretary pursuant to this section. REGULATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION

Federal agencies, cooperation. Contract authority.

Annual review.

Report to C ongre s s.

SEC. 112. (a) The Secretary, in consultation with any other Federal agency to the extent that such agency may be affected, shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of this title. (b) Each Federal agency is authorized and directed to cooperate with the Secretary, in such manner as may be mutually agreeable, in carrying out the purposes of this title. (c) The Secretary may enter into such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title and on such terms as he deems appropriate with any Federal or State agency, public or private institution, or other person. (d) The Secretary shall review annually the operation of each program in which the United States participates involving the taking of marine mammals on land. If at any time the Secretary finds that any such program cannot be administered on lands owned by the United States or in which the United States has an interest in a manner consistent with the purposes of policies of this Act, he shall suspend the operation of that program and shall forthwith submit to Congress his reasons for such suspension, together with recommendations for such legislation as he deems necessary and appropriate to resolve the problem. APPLICATION TO OTHER TREATIES AND CONVENTIONS; REPEAL

Repeal. 48 Stat. 976.

SEC. 113. (a) The provisions of this title shall be deemed to be in addition to and not in contravention of the provisions of any existing international treaty, convention, or agreement, or any statute implementing the same, which may otherwise apply to the taking of marine mammals. Upon a finding by the Secretary that the provisions of any international treaty, convention, or agreement, or any statute implementing the same has been made applicable to persons subject to the provisions of this title in order to effect essential compliance with the regulatory provisions of this Act so as to reduce to the lowest practicable level the taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations, section 105 of this title may not apply to such persons. (b^ The proviso to the Act entitled "An Act to repeal certain laws providing for the protection of sea lions in Alaska water", approved June 16, 1934 (16 U.S.C. 659), is repealed.

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