16 U.S.C. § 916j: Allocation of responsibility for administration and enforcement

The Secretary of Commerce is authorized and directed to administer and enforce all of the provisions of this subchapter and regulations issued pursuant thereto and all of the provisions of the convention and of the regulations of the Commission, except to the extent otherwise provided for in this subchapter, in the convention, or in the regulations of the Commission. In carrying out such functions he is authorized to adopt such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of the convention, the regulations of the Commission, this subchapter, and with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, to cooperate with the duly authorized officials of the government of any party to the convention. Enforcement activities under the provisions of this subchapter relating to vessels engaged in whaling and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States primarily shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of the Treasury in cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce. The Secretary of Commerce may authorize officers and employees of the coastal States of the United States to enforce the provisions of the convention, or of the regulations of the Commission, or of this subchapter, or of the regulations of the Secretary of Commerce. When so authorized such officers and employees may function as Federal law-enforcement officers for the purposes of this subchapter.