The provisions of § 241f of this title notwithstanding, any person may, with the prior authorization of the Secretary and provided he complies with any other applicable legal provision: (a) Conduct scientific or other studies and take live or dead coral samples or portions thereof or of associated organisms; Provided, That said studies promote the purposes of this chapter and in particular the preservation, protection and maintenance of coral reefs, and provided these are not harmful to the latter. (b) Remove or protect any diseased or polluted species of marine life so as to prevent the spread of disease.
Citation: P.R. Code Ann. tit. 12, § 241g(a)-(b)