Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 (No. 80 of 1978).

This Act, consisting of 30 sections, makes provision for the protection and conservation of marine mammals and places restrictions on the taking of marine mammals. It restricts the right to take marine mammals, whether alive or dead, from their natural habitat without first obtaining a permit from the Minister of Conservation. The Act provides for the establishment of marine mammal sanctuaries, within which activities known to harm particular marine mammal species can be restricted and strictly controlled by the Minister of Conservation. The Act also provides for the implementation of population management plans to limit the level of fishing-related mortality for any marine mammal species. The Act further provides for: permits for taking, importing or exporting marine mammals; registration of permits; marine mammals officers and enforcement measures; restrictions on the use of purse seine nets; offences, penalties and legal proceedings; regulation making powers of the Governor-General; etc.
Sections are divided as follows: Department of Conservation to administer marine mammals and sanctuaries; General policy; Conservation management strategies; Conservation management plans; Population management plans; Determining maximum allowable level of fishing-related mortality; Determining area-based maximum levels of fishing-related mortality; Procedure for preparation and approval of population management plans; Restrictions on holding or taking marine mammals Application for permit; Grant of permit; Conditions of permit; Register of marine mammal permits; Offence to take marine mammal without permit; Director-General to be notified of actions taken in respect of marine mammals; Marine Mammals Officers; Officers to be provided with subsistence and accommodation; Powers of search: Reporting of accidental death or injury; Purse seining; Treatment or disposal of sick or dead marine mammals; Destruction of diseased captive marine mammals; Advisory, research, and technical committees; Marine mammal sanctuaries; Offences and penalties; Onus of proof in respect of certain offences; Proceedings in respect of offences.