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HR 1259 105th Congress House

Dolphin-Safe Fishing Act

Official title: To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to lift the trade embargoes on dolphin-safe tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 9, 1997 See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Agriculture and FoodAnimalsCommerceCrime and Law Enforcement
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Deceptive advertisingDolphinsEndangered speciesEnvironmental ProtectionEnvironmental law enforcementEquipment and suppliesExport controlsFines (Penalties)Fish killsFishery agreementsFishery managementFishing boatsForeign Trade and International FinanceForeign fishingGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkImport restrictionsImportsInternational AffairsInternational agenciesInternational environmental cooperationInternational fishery managementInternational obligationsLabelingLawMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine mammal protectionOverfishingPacific OceanSea turtlesSearches and seizuresTransportation and Public WorksTunaTuna fisheriesWildlife conservation
This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 24, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.
Apr 9, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Apr 9, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E614-615)
Apr 9, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 24, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Dolphin-Safe Fishing Act - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to modify the requirements for the importation into the United States of yellowfin tuna harvested with purse seine nets in the eastern tropical Pacific ocean.

Makes it unlawful to: (1) intentionally chase and net any dolphin in any tuna fishing operation (currently, intentionally set a purse seine net on or to encircle any marine mammal during tuna fishing), subject to exception; or (2) import any fish or fish product in violation of an importation ban under provisions relating to the practices used on the voyage involved (currently, a ban under provisions relating to imports from a country that fails to implement certain tuna-harvesting commitments).

Changes the circumstances in which tuna or a tuna product is dolphin safe and the circumstances in which, under the Federal Trade Commission Act, it may be so labeled.

Amends the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 to mandate actions to ensure adoption of a bycatch reduction program.

Declares that it is the sense of the Congress that each nation participating in the International Dolphin Conservation Program should contribute an equitable amount to the expenses of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and that the United States is currently paying an inequitable share. Directs the Secretary of State, in determining the U.S. amount, to consider certain factors.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1259: Dolphin-Safe Fishing Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1259/
MLA
"H.R. 1259: Dolphin-Safe Fishing Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1259/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1259, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1259/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1259: Dolphin-Safe Fishing Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-1259/)
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