<P> The Marine Mammal Protection Act ( MMPA ) was the first act of the United States Congress to call specifically for an ecosystem approach to wildlife management . It was signed into law on October 21 , 1972 by President Richard Nixon and took effect 60 days later on December 21 , 1972 . MMPA prohibits the `` taking '' of marine mammals , and enacts a moratorium on the import , export , and sale of any marine mammal , along with any marine mammal part or product within the United States . The Act defines `` take '' as `` the act of hunting , killing , capture , and / or harassment of any marine mammal ; or , the attempt at such . '' The MMPA defines harassment as `` any act of pursuit , torment or annoyance which has the potential to either : a . injure a marine mammal in the wild , or b . disturb a marine mammal by causing disruption of behavioral patterns , which includes , but is not limited to , migration , breathing , nursing , breeding , feeding , or sheltering . '' The MMPA provides for enforcement of its prohibitions , and for the issuance of regulations to implement its legislative goals . </P>
<P> The Marine Mammal Protection Act ( MMPA ) was the first act of the United States Congress to call specifically for an ecosystem approach to wildlife management . It was signed into law on October 21 , 1972 by President Richard Nixon and took effect 60 days later on December 21 , 1972 . MMPA prohibits the `` taking '' of marine mammals , and enacts a moratorium on the import , export , and sale of any marine mammal , along with any marine mammal part or product within the United States . The Act defines `` take '' as `` the act of hunting , killing , capture , and / or harassment of any marine mammal ; or , the attempt at such . '' The MMPA defines harassment as `` any act of pursuit , torment or annoyance which has the potential to either : a . injure a marine mammal in the wild , or b . disturb a marine mammal by causing disruption of behavioral patterns , which includes , but is not limited to , migration , breathing , nursing , breeding , feeding , or sheltering . '' The MMPA provides for enforcement of its prohibitions , and for the issuance of regulations to implement its legislative goals . </P>
when was the marine mammal protection act passed
when was the marine mammal protection act passed
October 21 , 1972
October 21 , 1972