4500-4501
FISH AND GAME CODE
SECTION 4500-4501
4500. (a) It is unlawful to take any marine mammal except in accordance with provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (Chapter 31 (commencing with Section 1361) of Title 16 of the United States Code) or provisions of Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, or pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section. (b) At such time as federal laws or regulations permit the state to assume jurisdiction over marine mammals, the commission may adopt regulations governing marine mammals and the taking thereof. (c) For purposes of this chapter, "marine mammals" means sea otters, whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. 4501. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that several types of nonpoint source pollution are harmful to sea otters, and that scientific studies point to links between cat feces, the pathogen T-gondii, and sea otter mortality. The Legislature further finds and declares that efforts to reduce the flushing of cat litter and cat feces are steps toward better water quality in the sea otters' natural habitat. (b) Any cat litter offered for sale in this state shall contain one of the following statements: (1) "Encouraging your cat to use an indoor litter box, or properly disposing of outdoor cat feces, is beneficial to overall water quality. Please do not flush cat litter in toilets or dispose of it outdoors in gutters or storm drains." (2) A general statement that encourages the disposal of cat feces in trash and discourages flushing cat feces in toilets or disposing of them in drains.