Marine Mammal Preservation and Recovery Act of 2003

Executive Comment Requested from Commerce, Interior.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 16, 2003

Marine Mammal Preservation and Recovery Act of 2003 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA) to redefine marine mammal "harassment" in a manner that takes into account cumulative effects of behavioral changes.

Requires the Marine Mammal Commission to establish a captive marine mammal care and maintenance standards advisory committee.

Prohibits marine mammal traveling exhibits.

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Limits the import and export of marine mammal products to the cultural exchanges or noncommercial activities of specified groups.

Amends the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Program to provide financial assistance for certain stranding events.

Adds entanglement events to data collection, response agreement, and responder liability requirements (currently applicable to stranding events).

Expands the marine mammal research grant program to include research into ecosystems.

Enhances penalties for MMPA violations. Prohibits the obstruction of MMPA-related enforcement activities.

Authorizes research and grant programs for the nonlethal control of nuisance pinnipeds (seals and sea lions).

Requires the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) issue final regulations on deterring marine mammals; (2) publish and implement a ship strike reduction plan for North Atlantic right whales; and (3) reconvene the regional scientific review groups authorized by the MMPA to advise the Secretary on stock assessments.

Requires the Chairman of the Marine Mammal Commission to report to the Secretaries of Commerce and of the Interior, specified congressional committees, and the public on emerging threats to marine mammals.

Modifies commercial fishing vessel registration requirements.

Requires the Secretary to develop and implement a take reduction plan for each strategic stock that interacts with a fishery.

Authorizes the Secretary to establish voluntary fishing gear buyback and research mini-grant programs to foster the use of gear that reduces the incidental taking of marine mammals.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6] · D–NJ

Committees

Natural Resources Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 27, 2003
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce, Interior.
Oct 27, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Oct 16, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Oct 16, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2062-2063)
Oct 16, 2003
Introduced in House
Oct 16, 2003
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Oct 16, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.3316 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.3316, 108th Congress: Marine Mammal Preservation and Recovery Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3316

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-10-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3316/BILLS-108hr3316ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3316 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3316 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.3316, 108th Congress: Marine Mammal Preservation and Recovery Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3316

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-10-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3316/BILLS-108hr3316ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3316 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3316 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.3316, 108th Congress: Marine Mammal Preservation and Recovery Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3316

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-10-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3316/BILLS-108hr3316ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3316 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3316 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3316, 108th Congress: Marine Mammal Preservation and Recovery Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/3316

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-10-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr3316/BILLS-108hr3316ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:02:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3316 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.