§ 1421h. Definitions

In this subchapter, the following definitions apply:

• (1) The term “entangle” or “entanglement” means an event in the wild in which a living or dead marine mammal has gear, rope, line, net, or other material wrapped around or attached to the marine mammal and is—
  • (A) on lands under the jurisdiction of the United States, including beaches and shorelines; or
  • (B) in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States, including any navigable waters.
• (2) Except as used in section 1421f–1 of this title , the term “Fund” means the Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Event Fund established by section 1421d(a) of this title .
• (3) The term “Health MAP” means the Marine Mammal Health Monitoring and Analysis Platform established under section 1421f–2(a)(1) of this title .
• (4) The term “Observation System” means the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System established under section 3603 of title 33 .
• (5) The term “Office” means the Office of Protected Resources, in the National Marine Fisheries Service.
• (6) The term “stranding” means an event in the wild in which—
  • (A) a marine mammal is dead and is—
    • (i) on a beach or shore of the United States; or
    • (ii) in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States (including any navigable waters); or
  • (B) a marine mammal is alive and is—
    • (i) on a beach or shore of the United States and unable to return to the water;
    • (ii) on a beach or shore of the United States and, although able to return to the water, is in need of apparent medical attention; or
    • (iii) in the waters under the jurisdiction of the United States (including any navigable waters), but is unable to return to its natural habitat under its own power or without assistance.
• (7) The term “stranding network participant” means a person who is authorized by an agreement under section 1382(c) of this title to take marine mammals as described in section 1379(h)(1) of this title in response to a stranding.
• (8) The term “Tissue Bank” means the National Marine Tissue Bank provided for under section 1421f(a) of this title .
• (9) The term “unusual mortality event” means a stranding that—
  • (A) is unexpected;
  • (B) involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and
  • (C) demands immediate response.