STUDY ON EFFECTS OF DOLPHIN FEEDING.

SEC. 306. STUDY ON EFFECTS OF DOLPHIN FEEDING. (a) Study.— The Secretary of Commerce shall conduct a study in the eastern Gulf of Mexico on the effects of feeding of noncaptive dolphins by human beings. The study conducted pursuant to this section shall be designed to detect any behavior or diet modification resulting from this feeding and to identify the effects, if any, of these modifications on the health and well-being of the dolphins. (b) External Review.— In design and conduct of the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with the National Academy of Sciences and the Marine Mammal Commission. (c) Report.— Within 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a).