; and (2) effectively addressing the threats to the long-term viability of populations of North Atlantic right whales will require a joint commitment and effort from government entities, local communities, marine scientists and conservationists, fishermen, owners and operators of passenger vessels and others in the shipping industry, and other stakeholders. 3. Purposes The purposes of this Act are the following: (1) To rebuild healthy populations of the North Atlantic right whale. (2) To assist in the conservation and protection of North Atlantic right whales by supporting North Atlantic right whale conservation programs that minimize conflicts between North Atlantic right whales and human activities. (3) To provide financial resources for those programs. 4. North Atlantic right whale conservation assistance (a) Assistance (1) In general Subject to the availability of funds and in consultation with other Federal officials, the Secretary of Commerce (in this Act referred to as the Secretary ) shall provide competitive financial assistance, including multiyear grants, for projects for the conservation of North Atlantic right whales for which project proposals are approved by the Secretary in accordance with this section. (2) Use of existing authorities Assistance provided under this section shall be carried out in a manner consistent with authorities available to the Secretary under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 ( 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.). (b) Project proposals (1) Eligible applicants A project proposal may be submitted to the Secretary under this section by— (A) relevant State and tribal agencies, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations with expertise required for the conservation of North Atlantic right whales