Whaling Convention Act Law and Legal Definition
The Whaling Convention Act is a federal statute of the U.S. The Act facilitates in regulation of whaling and provides for the protection of whales. The Act prevents unlawful acts such as to engage in whaling in violation of the convention. The Act states that shipping, purchasing, selling of any whale or whale products are deemed to be unlawful. The Act also finds that whales are a unique resource of great aesthetic and scientific interest to mankind and are a vital part of the marine ecosystem. The U.S. has extended its authority and responsibility to conserve and protect all marine mammals, including whales, out to a two hundred nautical mile limit.
16 USCS § 916f states that the court may prohibit such person from whaling for such period of time as it may determine, and may order forfeited, in whole or in part, the whales taken by such person in whaling during the season, or the whale products derived there from or the monetary value thereof. Such forfeited whales or whale products shall be disposed of in accordance with the direction of the court.
