[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 50, Volume 7]
[Revised as of October 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 50CFR216]
[Page 5-80]
 
                    TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
 
  CHAPTER II--NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 
           ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
 
PART 216_REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE TAKING AND IMPORTING OF MARINE MAMMALS
                         Subpart A_Introduction
Sec.
216.1 Purpose of regulations.
216.2 Scope of regulations.
216.3 Definitions.
216.4 Other laws and regulations.
216.5 Payment of penalty.
216.6 Forfeiture and return of seized property.
216.7 Holding and bonding.
216.8 Enforcement officers.
                         Subpart B_Prohibitions
216.11 Prohibited taking.
216.12 Prohibited importation.
216.13 Prohibited uses, possession, transportation, sales, and permits.
216.14 Marine mammals taken before the MMPA.
216.15 Depleted species.
216.16 Prohibitions under the General Authorization for Level B 
          harassment for scientific research.
216.17 General prohibitions.
                      Subpart C_General Exceptions
216.21 Actions permitted by international treaty, convention, or 
          agreement.
216.22 Taking by State or local government officials.
216.23 Native exceptions.
216.24 Taking and related acts incidental to commercial fishing 
          operations by tuna purse seine vessels in the eastern tropical 
          Pacific Ocean.
216.25 Exempted marine mammals and marine mammal products.
216.26 Collection of certain marine mammal parts without prior 
          authorization.
216.27 Release, non-releasability, and disposition under special 
          exception permits for rehabilitated marine mammals.
                      Subpart D_Special Exceptions
216.30 [Reserved]
216.31 Definitions.
216.32 Scope.
216.33 Permit application submission, review, and decision procedures.
216.34 Issuance criteria.
216.35 Permit restrictions.
216.36 Permit conditions.
216.37 Marine mammal parts.
216.38 Reporting.
216.39 Permit amendments.
216.40 Penalties and permit sanctions.
216.41 Permits for scientific research and enhancement.
216.42 Photography. [Reserved]
216.43 Public display. [Reserved]
216.44 Applicability/transition.
216.45 General Authorization for Level B harassment for scientific 
          research.
216.46 U.S. citizens on foreign flag vessels operating under the 
          International Dolphin Conservation Program.
216.47 Access to marine mammal tissue, analyses, and data.
216.48-216.49 [Reserved]
                       Subpart E_Designated Ports
216.50 Importation at designated ports.
       Subpart F_Pribilof Islands, Taking for Subsistence Purposes
216.71 Allowable take of fur seals.
216.72 Restrictions on taking.
216.73 Disposition of fur seal parts.
216.74 Cooperation with Federal officials.
                Subpart G_Pribilof Islands Administration
216.81 Visits to fur seal rookeries.
216.82 Dogs prohibited.
216.83 Importation of birds or mammals.
216.84 [Reserved]
216.85 Walrus and Otter Islands.
216.86 Local regulations.
216.87 Wildlife research.
                  Subpart H_Dolphin Safe Tuna Labeling
216.90 Purposes.
216.91 Dolphin-safe labeling standards.
216.92 Dolphin-safe requirements for tuna harvested in the ETP by large 
          purse seine vessels.
216.93 Tracking and verification program.
216.94 False statements or endorsements.
216.95 Official mark for ``Dolphin-safe'' tuna products.
 Subpart I_General Regulations Governing Small Takes of Marine Mammals 
                   Incidental to Specified Activities
216.101 Purpose.
[[Page 6]]
216.102 Scope.
216.103 Definitions.
216.104 Submission of requests.
216.105 Specific regulations.
216.106 Letter of Authorization.
216.107 Incidental harassment authorization for Arctic waters.
216.108 Requirements for monitoring and reporting under incidental 
          harassment authorizations for Arctic waters.
Subpart J [Reserved]
Subpart K_Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Space Vehicle and Test 
                            Flight Activities
216.120 Specified activity and specified geographical region.
216.121 Effective dates.
216.122 Permissible methods of taking.
216.123 Prohibitions.
216.124 Mitigation.
216.125 Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
216.126 Applications for Letters of Authorization.
216.127 Renewal of Letters of Authorization.
216.128 Modifications of Letters of Authorization.
Subparts L-M [Reserved]
    Subpart N_Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Missile Launch 
                 Operations from San Nicolas Island, CA
216.151 Specified activity, geographical region, and incidental take 
          levels.
216.152 Effective dates.
216.153 Permissible methods of taking; mitigation.
216.154 Prohibitions.
216.155 Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
216.156 Letter of Authorization.
216.157 Renewal of the Letter of Authorization.
216.158 Modifications to the Letter of Authorization.
Subpart O [Reserved]
    Subpart P_Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Operating a Low 
   Frequency Acoustic Source by the North Pacific Acoustic Laboratory
216.170 Specified activity and specified geographical region.
216.171 Effective dates.
216.172 Permissible methods of taking.
216.173 Prohibitions.
216.174 Mitigation.
216.175 Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
216.176 Letter of authorization.
216.177 Renewal of a letter of authorization.
216.178 Modifications to a letter of authorization.
  Subpart Q_Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Operations of 
  Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS 
                               LFA) Sonar
216.180 Specified activity and specified geographical region.
216.181 Effective dates.
216.182 Permissible methods of taking.
216.183 Prohibitions.
216.184 Mitigation.
216.185 Requirements for monitoring.
216.186 Requirements for reporting.
216.187 Applications for Letters of Authorization.
216.188 Letters of Authorization.
216.189 Renewal of Letters of Authorization.
216.190 Modifications to Letters of Authorization.
216.191 Designation of Biologically Important Marine Mammal Areas.
    Note to part 216: See also 50 CFR parts 228 and 229 for regulations 
governing certain incidental takings of marine mammals.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., unless otherwise noted.
    Source: 39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, unless otherwise noted.
                         Subpart A_Introduction
Sec. 216.1  Purpose of regulations.
    The regulations in this part implement the Marine Mammal Protection 
Act of 1972, 86 Stat. 1027, 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407, Pub. L. 92-522, which, 
among other things, restricts the taking, possession, transportation, 
selling, offering for sale, and importing of marine mammals.
Sec. 216.2  Scope of regulations.
    This part 216 applies solely to marine mammals and marine mammal 
products as defined in Sec. 216.3. For regulations under the MMPA, with 
respect to other marine mammals and marine mammal products, see 50 CFR 
part 18.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 59 FR 50375, Oct. 3, 1994]
Sec. 216.3  Definitions.
    In addition to definitions contained in the MMPA, and unless the 
context otherwise requires, in this part 216:
    Acts means, collectively, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, 
as
[[Page 7]]
amended, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as 
amended, 16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.
    Active sportfishing means paying passengers have their terminal 
fishing gear (lures, hooks, etc.) in the water in an attempt to catch 
fish or, in the case of fishing involving chumming, fishing is 
considered to be in progress from the instant fish have been sighted 
taking bait (boiling) during that chumming process.
    Administrator, Southwest Region means the Regional Administrator, 
Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., 
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213, or his or her designee.
    Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program 
(Agreement on the IDCP) means the Agreement establishing the formal 
binding IDCP that was signed in Washington, DC on May 21, 1998.
    Alaskan Native means a person defined in the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(b)) (85 Stat. 588) as a citizen of the 
United States who is of one-fourth degree or more Alaska Indian 
(including Tsimishian Indians enrolled or not enrolled in the Metlaktla 
Indian Community), Eskimo, or Aleut blood or combination thereof. The 
term includes any Native, as so defined, either or both of whose 
adoptive parents are not Natives. It also includes, in the absence of 
proof of a minimum blood quantum, any citizen of the United States who 
is regarded as an Alaska Native by the Native village or group, of which 
he claims to be a member and whose father or mother is (or, if deceased, 
was) regarded as Native by any Native village or Native group. Any such 
citizen enrolled by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to section 5 
of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act shall be conclusively 
presumed to be an Alaskan Native for purposes of this part.
    Article of handicraft means items made by an Indian, Aleut or Eskimo 
from the nonedible byproducts of fur seals taken for personal or family 
consumption which--
    (1) Were commonly produced by Alaskan Natives on or before October 
14, 1983;
    (2) Are composed wholly or in some significant respect of natural 
materials, and;
    (3) Are significantly altered from their natural form and which are 
produced, decorated, or fashioned in the exercise of traditional native 
handicrafts without the use of pantographs, multiple carvers, or similar 
mass copying devices. Improved methods of production utilizing modern 
implements such as sewing machines or modern tanning techniques at a 
tannery registered pursuant to Sec. 216.23(c) may be used so long as no 
large scale mass production industry results. Traditional native 
handicrafts include, but are not limited to, weaving, carving, 
stitching, sewing, lacing, beading, drawing, and painting. The formation 
of traditional native groups, such as a cooperative, is permitted so 
long as no large scale mass production results.
    Assistant Administrator means the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or his/her 
designee.
    Authentic native articles of handicrafts and clothing means items 
made by an Indian, Aleut or Eskimo which (a) were commonly produced on 
or before December 21, 1972, and (b) are composed wholly or in some 
significant respect of natural materials, and (c) are significantly 
altered from their natural form and which are produced, decorated, or 
fashioned in the exercise of traditional native handicrafts without the 
use of pantographs, multiple carvers, or similar mass copying devices. 
Improved methods of production utilizing modern implements such as 
sewing machines or modern tanning techniques at a tannery registered 
pursuant to Sec. 216.23(c) may be used so long as no large scale mass 
production industry results. Traditional native handicrafts include, but 
are not limited to, weaving, carving, stitching, sewing, lacing, 
beading, drawing, and painting. The formation of traditional native 
groups, such as a cooperative, is permitted so long as no large scale 
mass production results.
[[Page 8]]
    Bona fide scientific research: (1) Means scientific research on 
marine mammals conducted by qualified personnel, the results of which:
    (i) Likely would be accepted for publication in a refereed 
scientific journal;
    (ii) Are likely to contribute to the basic knowledge of marine 
mammal biology or ecology. (Note: This includes, for example, marine 
mammal parts in a properly curated, professionally accredited scientific 
collection); or
    (iii) Are likely to identify, evaluate, or resolve conservation 
problems.
    (2) Research that is not on marine mammals, but that may 
incidentally take marine mammals, is not included in this definition 
(see sections 101(a)(3)(A), 101(a)(5)(A), and 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, 
and sections 7(b)(4) and 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA).
    Carrying capacity means the Regional Director's determination of the 
maximum amount of fish that a vessel can carry in short tons based on 
the greater of the amount indicated by the builder of the vessel, a 
marine surveyor's report, or the highest amount reported landed from any 
one trip.
    Certified charter vessel means a fishing vessel of a non-U.S. flag 
nation, which is operating under the jurisdiction of the marine mammal 
laws and regulations of another, harvesting, nation by a formal 
declaration entered into by mutual agreement of the nations.
    Co-investigator means the on-site representative of a principal 
investigator.
    Commercial fishing operation means the lawful harvesting of fish 
from the marine environment for profit as part of an ongoing business 
enterprise. Such terms may include licensed com mercial passenger 
fishing vessel (as defined) activities, but no other sport fish ing 
activities, whether or not the fish so caught are subsequently sold.
    Commercial passenger fishing vessel means any vessel licensed for 
commercial passenger fishing purposes within the State out of which it 
is operating and from which, while under charter or hire, persons are 
legally permitted to conduct sportfishing activities.
    Custody means holding a live marine mammal pursuant to the 
conditional authority granted under the MMPA, and the responsibility 
therein for captive maintenance of the marine mammal.
    Declaration of Panama means the declaration signed in Panama City, 
Republic of Panama, on October 4, 1995.
    Director, Office of Protected Resources means Director, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Dolphin Mortality Limit (DML) means the maximum allowable number of 
incidental dolphin mortalities per calendar year assigned to a vessel, 
unless a shorter time period is specified.
    Endangered Species means a species or subspecies of marine mammal 
listed as ``endangered'' pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
87 Stat. 884, Pub. L. 93-205 (see part 17 of this title).
    ESA means the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.
    ETP means the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean which includes the 
Pacific Ocean area bounded by 40[deg] N. latitude, 40[deg] S. latitude, 
160[deg] W. longitude and the coastlines of North, Central and South 
America.
    Facility means, in the context specific to captive marine mammals,: 
(1) One or more permanent primary enclosures used to hold marine mammals 
captive (i.e., pools, lagoons) and associated infrastructure (i.e., 
equipment and supplies necessary for the care and maintenance of marine 
mammals) where these enclosures are either located within the boundaries 
of a single contiguous parcel of land and water, or are grouped together 
within the same general area within which enclosure-to-enclosure 
transport is expected to be completed in less than one hour; or
    (2) A traveling display/exhibit, where the enclosure(s) and 
associated infrastructure is transported together with the marine 
mammals.
    Feeding is offering, giving, or attempt ing to give food or non-food 
items to marine mammals in the wild. It in cludes operating a vessel or 
providing other platforms from which feeding is conducted or supported. 
It does not include the routine discard of bycatch during fishing 
operations or the routine discharge of waste or fish byproducts from 
fish processing plants or other platforms if the discharge is
[[Page 9]]
otherwise legal and is incidental to operation of the activity.
    First exporter means the person or com pany that first exports the 
fish or fish product, or, in the case of shipments that are subject to 
the labeling requirements of 50 CFR part 247 and that only contain fish 
harvested by vessels of the United States, the first seller of the fish 
or fish product.
    Fisheries Certificate of Origin, or FCO, means NOAA Form 370, as 
described in Sec. 216.24(f)(4).
    Force majeure means forces outside the vessel operator's or vessel 
owner's control that could not be avoided by the exercise of due care.
    FSA means the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1151 et 
seq.
    Fur seal means North Pacific fur seal, scientifically known as Cal 
lorhi nus ursinus.
    Hard part means any bone, tooth, baleen, treated pelt, or other part 
of a marine mammal that is relatively solid or durable.
    Harvesting nation means the country under whose flag one or more 
fishing vessels are documented, or which has by formal declaration 
agreed to assert jurisdiction over one or more certified charter 
vessels, from which vessel(s) fish are caught that are a part of any 
cargo or shipment of fish to be imported into the United States, 
regardless of any intervening transshipments.
    Humane means the method of taking, import, export, or other activity 
which involves the least possible degree of pain and suffering 
practicable to the animal involved.
    Import means to land on, bring into, or introduce into, or attempt 
to land on, bring into, or introduce into, any place subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States, whether or not such landing, 
bringing, or introduction constitutes an importation within the Customs 
laws of the United States; except that, for the purpose of any ban 
issued under 16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(2) on the importation of fish or fish 
products, the definition of ``import'' in Sec. 216.24(f)(1)(ii) shall 
apply.
    Incidental catch means the taking of a marine mammal (1) because it 
is directly interfering with commercial fishing operations, or (2) as a 
consequence of the steps used to secure the fish in connection with 
commercial fishing operations: Provided, That a marine mammal so taken 
must immediately be returned to the sea with a minimum of injury and 
further, that the taking of a marine mammal, which otherwise meets the 
requirements of this definition shall not be considered an incidental 
catch of that mammal if it is used subsequently to assist in commercial 
fishing operations.
    Intentional purse seine set means that a tuna purse seine vessel or 
associated vessels chase marine mammals and subsequently make a purse 
seine set.
    International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) means the 
international program established by the agreement signed in La Jolla, 
California, in June 1992, as formalized, modified, and enhanced in 
accordance with the Declaration of Panama and the Agreement on the IDCP.
    International Dolphin Conservation Program Act (IDCPA) means Public 
Law 105-42, enacted into law on August 15, 1997.
    International Review Panel (IRP) means the International Review 
Panel established by the Agreement on the IDCP.
    Intrusive research means a procedure conducted for bona fide 
scientific research involving: A break in or cutting of the skin or 
equivalent, insertion of an instrument or material into an orifice, 
introduction of a substance or object into the animal's immediate 
environment that is likely either to be ingested or to contact and 
directly affect animal tissues (i.e., chemical substances), or a 
stimulus directed at animals that may involve a risk to health or 
welfare or that may have an impact on normal function or behavior (i.e., 
audio broadcasts directed at animals that may affect behavior). For 
captive animals, this definition does not include:
    (1) A procedure conducted by the professional staff of the holding 
facility or an attending veterinarian for purposes of animal husbandry, 
care, maintenance, or treatment, or a routine medical procedure that, in 
the reasonable judgment of the attending veterinarian, would not 
constitute a risk to the health or welfare of the captive animal; or
[[Page 10]]
    (2) A procedure involving either the introduction of a substance or 
object (i.e., as described in this definition) or a stimulus directed at 
animals that, in the reasonable judgment of the attending veterinarian, 
would not involve a risk to the health or welfare of the captive animal.
    Label means a display of written, printed, or graphic matter on or 
affixed to the immediate container of any article.
    Land or landing means to begin offloading any fish, to arrive in 
port with the intention of offloading fish, or to cause any fish to be 
offloaded.
    Large-scale driftnet means a gillnet that is composed of a panel or 
panels of webbing, or a series of such gillnets, with a total length of 
2.5 kilometers or more that is used on the high seas and allowed to 
drift with the currents and winds for the purpose of harvesting fish by 
entangling the fish in the webbing of the net.
    Level A Harassment means any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance 
which has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock 
in the wild.
    Level B Harassment means any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance 
which has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal 
stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, 
including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, 
feeding, or sheltering but which does not have the potential to injure a 
marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild.
    Marine environment means the oceans and the seas, including 
estuarine and brackish waters.
    Marine mammal means those specimens of the following orders, which 
are morphologically adapted to the marine environment, and whether alive 
or dead, and any part thereof, including but not limited to, any raw, 
dressed or dyed fur or skin: Cetacea (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) 
and Pinnipedia, other than walrus (seals and sea lions).
    MMPA means the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, 16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.
    Native village or town means any community, association, tribe, 
band, clan or group.
    Optimum sustainable population is a population size which falls 
within a range from the population level of a given species or stock 
which is the largest supportable within the ecosystem to the population 
level that results in maximum net productivity. Maximum net productivity 
is the greatest net annual increment in population numbers or biomass 
resulting from additions to the population due to reproduction and/or 
growth less losses due to natural mortality.
    Per-stock per-year dolphin mortality limit means the maximum 
allowable number of incidental dolphin mortalities and serious injuries 
from a specified stock per calendar year, as established under the IDCP.
    Pregnant means pregnant near term.
    Pribilovians means Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos who live on the 
Pribilof Islands.
    Principal investigator means the individual primarily responsible 
for the taking, importation, export, and any related activities 
conducted under a permit issued for scientific research or enhancement 
purposes.
    Public display means an activity that provides opportunities for the 
public to view living marine mammals at a facility holding marine 
mammals captive.
    Regional Director means the Regional Administrator, Northeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; or 
Regional Administrator, Northwest Regional Office, NMFS, 7600 Sandpoint 
Way, N.E., Building 1, Seattle, WA 98115; or Regional Administrator, 
Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702; or Regional Administrator, Southwest Regional 
Office, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 
90802; or Regional Administrator, Pacific Islands Regional Office, NMFS, 
1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814; or Regional 
Administrator, Alaska Regional Office, NMFS, PO Box 21668, Juneau, AK 
99802.
    Rehabilitation means treatment of beached and stranded marine 
mammals taken under section 109(h)(1) of the MMPA or imported under 
section 109(h)(2) of the MMPA, with the intent of restoring the marine 
mammal's
[[Page 11]]
health and, if necessary, behavioral patterns.
    Secretary shall mean the Secretary of Commerce or his authorized 
representative.
    Serious injury means any injury that will likely result in 
mortality.
    Sexual harassment means any unwelcome sexual advance, request for 
sexual favors, or other verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature 
which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an 
individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or 
offensive working environment.
    Soft part means any marine mammal part that is not a hard part. Soft 
parts do not include urine or fecal material.
    South Pacific Ocean means any waters of the Pacific Ocean that lie 
south of the equator.
    South Pacific Tuna Treaty means the Treaty on Fisheries Between the 
Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the 
United States of America (50 CFR part 300, subpart D).
    Stranded or stranded marine mammal means a marine mammal specimen 
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary:
    (1) If the specimen is dead, and is on a beach or shore, or is in 
the water within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States; or
    (2) If the specimen is alive, and is on a beach or shore and is 
unable to return to the water, or is in the water within the Exclusive 
Economic Zone of the United States where the water is so shallow that 
the specimen is un able to return to its natural habitat under its own 
power.
    Subsistence means the use of marine mammals taken by Alaskan Natives 
for food, clothing, shelter, heating, transportation, and other uses 
necessary to maintain the life of the taker or those who depend upon the 
taker to provide them with such subsistence.
    Subsistence uses means the customary and traditional uses of fur 
seals taken by Pribilovians for direct personal or family consumption as 
food, shelter, fuel, clothing, tools or transportation; for the making 
and selling of handicraft articles out of nonedible byproducts of fur 
seals taken for personal or family consumption; and for barter, or 
sharing for personal or family consumption. As used in this definition--
    (1) Family means all persons related by blood, marriage, or 
adoption, or any person living within a household on a permanent basis.
    (2) Barter means the exchange of fur seals or their parts, taken for 
subsistence uses--
    (i) For other wildlife or fish or their parts, or
    (ii) For other food or for nonedible items other than money if the 
exchange is of a limited and noncommercial nature.
    Take means to harass, hunt, capture, collect, or kill, or attempt to 
harass, hunt, capture, collect, or kill any marine mammal. This 
includes, without limitation, any of the following: The collection of 
dead animals, or parts thereof; the restraint or detention of a marine 
mammal, no matter how temporary; tagging a marine mammal; the negligent 
or intentional operation of an aircraft or vessel, or the doing of any 
other negligent or intentional act which results in disturbing or 
molesting a marine mammal; and feeding or attempting to feed a marine 
mammal in the wild.
    Threatened species means a species of marine mammal listed as 
``threatened'' pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 87 Stat. 
884, Pub. L. 93-205.
    Trip means a voyage starting when a vessel leaves port with all fish 
wells empty of fish and ending when a vessel unloads all of its fish.
    Tuna product means any food product processed for retail sale and 
intended for human or animal consumption that contains an item listed in 
Sec. 216.24(f)(2)(i) or (ii), but does not include perishable items 
with a shelf life of less than 3 days.
    Wasteful manner means any taking or method of taking which is likely 
to result in the killing of marine mammals beyond those needed for 
subsistence, subsistence uses, or for the making of authentic native 
articles of handicrafts and clothing, or which results in the waste of a 
substantial portion of the marine mammal and includes, without 
limitation, the employment of a method of taking which is not likely to 
assure the capture or killing of a marine mammal, or which is not 
immediately
[[Page 12]]
followed by a reasonable effort to retrieve the marine mammal.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974]
    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 
216.3, see the List of Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding 
Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.
Sec. 216.4  Other laws and regulations.
    (a) Federal. Nothing in this part, nor any permit issued under 
authority of this part, shall be construed to relieve a person from any 
other requirements imposed by a statute or regulation of the United 
States, including any applicable statutes or regulations relating to 
wildlife and fisheries, health, quarantine, agriculture, or customs.
    (b) State laws or regulations. See part 403 of this chapter.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 41 FR 36662, Aug. 31, 1976; 58 
FR 65134, Dec. 13, 1993]
Sec. 216.5  Payment of penalty.
    The respondent shall have 30 days from receipt of the final 
assessment decision within which to pay the penalty assessed. Upon a 
failure to pay the penalty, the Secretary may request the Attorney 
General to institute a civil action in the appropriate United States 
District Court to collect the penalty.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974. Redesignated at 46 FR 61652, Dec. 18, 1981]
Sec. 216.6  Forfeiture and return of seized property.
    (a) Whenever any cargo or marine mammal or marine mammal product has 
been seized pursuant to section 107 of the MMPA, the Secretary shall 
expedite any proceedings commenced under these regulations.
    (b) Whenever a civil penalty has been assessed by the Secretary 
under these regulations, any cargo, marine mammal, or marine mammal 
product seized pursuant to section 107 of the MMPA shall be subject to 
forfeiture. If respondent voluntarily forfeits any such seized property 
or the monetary value thereof without court proceedings, the Secretary 
may apply the value thereof, if any, as determined by the Secretary, 
toward payment of the civil penalty.
    (c) Whenever a civil penalty has been assessed under these 
regulations, and whether or not such penalty has been paid, the 
Secretary may request the Attorney General to institute a civil action 
in an appropriate United States District Court to compel forfeiture of 
such seized property or the monetary value thereof to the Secretary for 
disposition by him in such manner as he deems appropriate. If no 
judicial action to compel forfeiture is commenced within 30 days after 
final decision-making assessment of a civil penalty, pursuant to Sec. 
216.60, such seized property shall immediately be returned to the 
respondent.
    (d) If the final decision of the Secretary under these regulations 
is that respondent has committed no violation of the MMPA or of any 
permit or regulations issued thereunder, any marine mammal, marine 
mammal product, or other cargo seized from respondent in connection with 
the proceedings under these regulations, or the bond or other monetary 
value substituted therefor, shall immediately be returned to the 
respondent.
    (e) If the Attorney General commences criminal proceedings pursuant 
to section 105(b) of the MMPA, and such proceedings result in a finding 
that the person accused is not guilty of a criminal violation of the 
MMPA, the Secretary may institute proceedings for the assessment of a 
civil penalty under this part: Provided, That if no such civil penalty 
proceedings have been commenced by the Secretary within 30 days 
following the final disposition of the criminal case, any property 
seized pursuant to section 107 of the MMPA shall be returned to the 
respondent.
    (f) If any seized property is to be returned to the respondent, the 
Regional Director shall issue a letter authorizing such return. This 
letter shall be dispatched to the respondent by registered mail, return 
receipt requested, and shall identify the respondent, the seized 
property, and, if appropriate, the bailee of the seized property. It 
shall also provide that upon presentation of the letter and proper 
identification, the seized property is authorized to be released. All 
charges for storage, care,
[[Page 13]]
or handling of the seized property accruing 5 days or more after the 
date of the return receipt shall be for the account of the respondent: 
Provided, That if it is the final decision of the Secretary under these 
regulations that the respondent has committed the alleged violation, all 
charges which have accrued for the storage, care, or handling of the 
seized property shall be for the account of the respondent.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974. Redesignated at 46 FR 61652, Dec. 18, 1981, 
and amended at 59 FR 50375, Oct. 3, 1994]
Sec. 216.7  Holding and bonding.
    (a) Any marine mammal, marine mammal product, or other cargo seized 
pursuant to section 107 of the MMPA shall be delivered to the 
appropriate Regional Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(see Sec. 201.2 of this title) or his designee, who shall either hold 
such seized property or arrange for the proper handling and care of such 
seized property.
    (b) Any arrangement for the handling and care of seized property 
shall be in writing and shall state the compensation to be paid. Subpart 
F of 15 CFR part 904 contains additional procedures that govern seized 
property that is subject to forfeiture or has been forfeited under the 
MMPA.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974. Redesignated at 46 FR 61652, Dec. 18, 1981, 
and amended at 50 FR 12785, Apr. 1, 1985; 59 FR 50375, Oct. 3, 1994]
Sec. 216.8  Enforcement officers.
    Enforcement Agents of the National Marine Fisheries Service shall en 
force the provisions of the MMPA and may take any actions authorized by 
the MMPA with respect to enforcement. In ad dition, the Secretary may 
utilize, by agreement, the personnel, services, and facilities of any 
other Federal Agency for the purposes of enforcing this MMPA. Pursuant 
to the terms of section 107(b) of the MMPA, the Secretary may also 
designate officers and employees of any State or of any possession of 
the United States to enforce the provi sions of this MMPA.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974. Redesignated at 46 FR 61652, Dec. 18, 1981, 
and amended at 59 FR 50375, Oct. 3, 1994]
                         Subpart B_Prohibitions
Sec. 216.11  Prohibited taking.
    Except as otherwise provided in subparts C, D, and I of this part 
216 or in part 228 or 229, it is unlawful for:
    (a) Any person, vessel, or conveyance subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States to take any marine mammal on the high seas, or
    (b) Any person, vessel, or conveyance to take any marine mammal in 
waters or on lands under the jurisdiction of the United States, or
    (c) Any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to 
take any marine mammal during the moratorium.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 47 FR 21254, May 18, 1982; 54 
FR 21921, May 19, 1989]
Sec. 216.12  Prohibited importation.
    (a) Except as otherwise provided in subparts C and D of this part 
216, it is unlawful for any person to import any marine mammal or marine 
mammal product into the United States.
    (b) Regardless of whether an importation is otherwise authorized 
pursuant to subparts C and D of this part 216, it is unlawful for any 
person to import into the United States any:
    (1) Marine mammal:
    (i) Taken in violation of the MMPA, or
    (ii) Taken in another country in violation to the laws of that 
country;
    (2) Any marine mammal product if
    (i) The importation into the United States of the marine mammal from 
which such product is made would be unlawful under paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section, or
    (ii) The sale in commerce of such product in the country of origin 
if the product is illegal.
    (c) Except in accordance with an exception referred to in subpart C 
and Sec. Sec. 216.31 (regarding scientific research permits only) and 
216.32 of this part 216, it is unlawful to import into the United States 
any:
    (1) Marine mammal which was pregnant at the time of taking.
    (2) Marine mammal which was nursing at the time of taking, or less 
than 8 months old, whichever occurs later.
[[Page 14]]
    (3) Specimen of an endangered or threatened species of marine 
mammal.
    (4) Specimen taken from a depleted species or stock of marine 
mammals, or
    (5) Marine mammal taken in an inhumane manner.
    (d) It is unlawful to import into the United States any fish, 
whether fresh, frozen, or otherwise prepared, if such fish was caught in 
a manner proscribed by the Secretary of Commerce for persons subject to 
the jurisdiction of the United States, whether or not any marine mammals 
were in fact taken incident to the catching of the fish.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 59 FR 50375, Oct. 3, 1994]
Sec. 216.13  Prohibited uses, possession, transportation, sales, and 
          permits.
    It is unlawful for:
    (a) Any person to use any port, harbor or other place under the 
jurisdiction of the United States for any purpose in any way connected 
with a prohibited taking or an unlawful importation of any marine mammal 
or marine mammal product; or
    (b) Any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to 
possess any marine mammal taken in violation of the MMPA or these 
regulations, or to transport, sell, or offer for sale any such marine 
mammal or any marine mammal product made from any such mammal.
    (c) Any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to 
use in a commercial fishery, any means or method of fishing in 
contravention of regulations and limitations issued by the Secretary of 
Commerce for that fishery to achieve the purposes of this MMPA.
    (d) Any person to violate any term, condition, or restriction of any 
permit issued by the Secretary.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 59 FR 50375, 50376, Oct. 3, 
1994; 61 FR 21933, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.14  Marine mammals taken before the MMPA.
    (a) Section 102(e) of the MMPA provides, in effect, that the MMPA 
shall not apply to any marine mammal taken prior to December 21, 1972, 
or to any marine mammal product, consisting of or composed in whole or 
in part of, any marine mammal taken before that date. This prior status 
of any marine mammal or marine mammal product may be established by 
submitting to the Director, National Marine Fisheries Service prior to, 
or at the time of importation, an affidavit containing the following:
    (1) The Affiant's name and address;
    (2) Identification of the Affiant;
    (3) A description of the marine mammals or marine mammal products 
which the Affiant desires to import;
    (4) A statement by the Affiant that, to the best of his knowledge 
and belief, the marine mammals involved in the application were taken 
prior to December 21, 1972;
    (5) A statement by the Affiant in the following language:
    The foregoing is principally based on the attached exhibits which, 
to the best of my knowledge and belief, are complete, true and correct. 
I understand that this affidavit is being submitted for the purpose of 
inducing the Federal Government to permit the importation of--under the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 through 1407) and 
regulations promulgated thereunder, and that any false statements may 
subject me to the criminal penalties of 13 U.S.C. 1001, or to penalties 
under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.
    (b) Either one of two exhibits shall be attached to such affidavit, 
and will contain either:
    (1) Records or other available evidence showing that the product 
consists of or is composed in whole or in part of marine mammals taken 
prior to the effective date of the MMPA. Such records or other 
evidentiary material must include information on how, when, where, and 
by whom the animals were taken, what processing has taken place since 
taking, and the date and location of such processing; or
    (2) A statement from a government agency of the country of origin 
exercising jurisdiction over marine mammals that any and all such 
mammals from which the products sought to be imported were derived were 
taken prior to December 21, 1972.
    (c) No pre-Act marine mammal or pre-Act marine mammal product may be 
imported unless the requirements of this section have been fulfilled.
[[Page 15]]
    (d) This section has no application to any marine mammal or marine 
mammal product intended to be imported pursuant to Sec. Sec. 216.21, 
216.31 or Sec. 216.32.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 59 FR 50375, 50376, Oct. 3, 
1994]
Sec. 216.15  Depleted species.
    The following species or population stocks have been designated by 
the Assistant Administrator as depleted under the provisions of the 
MMPA.
    (a) Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi).
    (b) Bowhead whale (Balaena mystic e tus).
    (c) North Pacific fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus). Pribilof Island 
population.
    (d) Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops trunca tus), coastal-migratory 
stock along the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast.
    (e) Eastern spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris orientalis).
    (f) Northeastern offshore spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata).
    (g) Cook Inlet, Alaska, stock of beluga whales (Delphinapterus 
leucas). The stock includes all beluga whales occurring in waters of the 
Gulf of Alaska north of 58[deg] North latitude including, but not 
limited to, Cook Inlet, Kamishak Bay, Chinitna Bay, Tuxedni Bay, Prince 
William Sound, Yakutat Bay, Shelikof Strait, and off Kodiak Island and 
freshwater tributaries to these waters.
    (h) Eastern North Pacific Southern Resident stock of killer whales 
(Orcinus orca). The stock includes all resident killer whales in pods J, 
K, and L in the waters of, but not limited to, the inland waterways of 
southern British Columbia and Washington, including the Georgia Strait, 
the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound.
    (i) AT1 stock of killer whales (Orcinus orca). The stock includes 
all killer whales belonging to the AT1 group of transient killer whales 
occurring primarily in waters of Prince William Sound, Resurrection Bay, 
and the Kenai Fjords region of Alaska.
[53 FR 17899, May 18, 1988, as amended at 58 FR 17791, Apr. 6, 1993; 58 
FR 45074, Aug. 26, 1993; 58 FR 58297, Nov. 1, 1993; 59 FR 50376, Oct. 3, 
1994; 65 FR 34597, May 31, 2000; 68 FR 31983, May 29, 2003; 69 FR 31324, 
June 3, 2004]
Sec. 216.16  Prohibitions under the General Authorization for Level B 
          harassment for scientific research.
    It shall be unlawful for any person to:
    (a) Provide false information in a letter of intent submitted 
pursuant to Sec. 216.45(b);
    (b) Violate any term or condition imposed pursuant to Sec. 
216.45(d).
[59 FR 50376, Oct. 3, 1994]
Sec. 216.17  General prohibitions.
    It is unlawful for any person to:
    (a) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, threaten, or 
interfere with any authorized officer in the conduct of any search, 
inspection, investigation or seizure in connection with enforcement of 
the MMPA, DPCIA, or IDCPA.
    (b) Interfere with, delay, or prevent by any means the apprehension 
of another person, knowing that such person has committed any act 
prohibited by the MMPA.
    (c) Resist a lawful arrest for any act prohibited under the MMPA.
    (d) Make any false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer concerning any act under the jurisdiction of the MMPA, DPCIA, 
IDCPA, or attempt to do any of the above.
    (e) Interfere with, obstruct, delay, or prevent by any means an 
investigation, search, seizure, or disposition of seized property in 
connection with enforcement of the MMPA, DPCIA, or IDCPA.
[70 FR 19008, Apr. 12, 2005]
                      Subpart C_General Exceptions
Sec. 216.21  Actions permitted by international treaty, convention, or 
          agreement.
    The MMPA and these regulations shall not apply to the extent that 
they are inconsistent with the provisions of any international treaty, 
convention or agreement, or any statute implementing the same relating 
to the taking or importation of marine mammals or marine mammal 
products, which was existing and in force prior to December 21, 1972, 
and to which the United States was a party. Specifically, the 
regulations in subpart B of this part and the provisions of the MMPA 
shall not apply to activities
[[Page 16]]
carried out pursuant to the Interim Convention on the Conservation of 
North Pacific Fur Seals signed at Washington on February 9, 1957, and 
the Fur Seal Act of 1966, 16 U.S.C. 1151 through 1187, as in each case, 
from time to time amended.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 59 FR 50376, Oct. 3, 1994]
Sec. 216.22  Taking by State or local government officials.
    (a) A State or local government official or employee may take a 
marine mammal in the normal course of his duties as an official or 
employee, and no permit shall be required, if such taking:
    (1) Is accomplished in a humane manner;
    (2) Is for the protection or welfare of such mammal or for the 
protection of the public health or welfare; and
    (3) Includes steps designed to insure return of such mammal, if not 
killed in the course of such taking, to its natural habitat. In 
addition, any such official or employee may, incidental to such taking, 
possess and transport, but not sell or offer for sale, such mammal and 
use any port, harbor, or other place under the jurisdiction of the 
United States. All steps reasonably practicable under the circumstances 
shall be taken by any such employee or official to prevent injury or 
death to the marine mammal as the result of such taking. Where the 
marine mammal in question is injured or sick, it shall be permissible to 
place it in temporary captivity until such time as it is able to be 
returned to its natural habitat. It shall be permissible to dispose of a 
carcass of a marine mammal taken in accordance with this subsection 
whether the animal is dead at the time of taking or dies subsequent 
thereto.
    (b) Each taking permitted under this section shall be included in a 
written report to be submitted to the Secretary every six months 
beginning December 31, 1973. Unless otherwise permitted by the 
Secretary, the report shall contain a description of:
    (1) The animal involved;
    (2) The circumstances requiring the taking;
    (3) The method of taking;
    (4) The name and official position of the State official or employee 
involved;
    (5) The disposition of the animal, including in cases where the 
animal has been retained in captivity, a description of the place and 
means of confinement and the measures taken for its maintenance and 
care; and
    (6) Such other information as the Secretary may require.
    (c) Salvage of dead stranded marine mammals or parts therefrom and 
subsequent transfer.
    (1) Salvage. In the performance of official duties, a state or local 
government employee; an employee of the National Marine Fisheries 
Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or any other Federal agency 
with jurisdiction and conservation responsibilities in marine shoreline 
areas; or a person authorized under 16 U.S.C. 1382(c) may take and 
salvage a marine mammal specimen if it is stranded and dead or it was 
stranded or rescued and died during treatment, transport, captivity or 
other rehabilitation subsequent to that stranding or distress if salvage 
is for the purpose of utilization in scientific research or for the 
purpose of maintenance in a properly curated, professionally accredited 
scientific collection.
    (2) Registration. A person salvaging a dead marine mammal specimen 
under this section must register the salvage of the specimen with the 
appropriate Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service 
within 30 days after the taking or death occurs. The registration must 
include:
    (i) The name, address, and any official position of the individual 
engaged in the taking and salvage;
    (ii) A description of the marine mammal specimen salvaged including 
the scientific and common names of the species;
    (iii) A description of the parts salvaged;
    (iv) The date and the location of the taking;
    (v) Such other information as deemed necessary by the Assistant 
Administrator.
    (3) Identification and curation. The Regional Director will assign a 
single unique number to each carcass, and the parts thereof, that are 
salvaged under
[[Page 17]]
the provisions of this section. The person who salvaged the specimen may 
designate the number to be assigned. After this number is assigned, the 
person who salvaged the specimen must permanently mark that number on 
each separate hard part of that specimen and must affix that number with 
tags or labels to each soft part of that specimen or the containers in 
which that soft part is kept. Each specimen salvaged under this section 
must be curated in accordance with professional standards.
    (4) No sale or commercial trade. No person may sell or trade for 
commercial purposes any marine mammal specimen salvaged under this 
section.
    (5) Transfer without prior authorization. A person who salvages a 
marine mammal specimen under this section may transfer that specimen to 
another person if:
    (i) The person transferring the marine mammal specimen does not 
receive remuneration for the specimen;
    (ii) The person receiving the marine mammal specimen is an employee 
of the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, or any other Federal agency with jurisdiction and conservation 
responsibilities in marine shoreline areas; is a person authorized under 
16 U.S.C. 1382(c); or is a person who has received prior authorization 
under paragraph (c)(6) of this section;
    (iii) The marine mammal specimen is transferred for the purpose of 
scientific research, for the purpose of maintenance in a properly 
curated, professionally accredited scientific collection, or for 
educational purposes;
    (iv) The unique number assigned by the National Marine Fisheries 
Service is on, marked on, or affixed to the marine mammal specimen or 
container; and
    (v) Except as provided under paragraph (c)(8) of this section, the 
person transferring the marine mammal specimen notifies the appropriate 
Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service of the 
transfer, including notification of the number of the specimen 
transferred and the person to whom the specimen was transferred, within 
30 days after the transfer occurs.
    (6) Other transfers within the United States. Except as provided 
under paragraphs (c)(5) and (c)(8) of this section, a person who 
salvages a marine mammal specimen, or who has received a marine mammal 
specimen under the provisions of this section, may not transfer that 
specimen to another person within the United States unless the Regional 
Director of the appropriate Regional Office of the National Marine 
Fisheries Service grants prior written authorization for the transfer. 
The Regional Director may grant authorization for the transfer if there 
is evidence that the conditions listed under paragraphs (c)(5)(i), 
(c)(5)(iii), and (c)(5)(iv) of this section are met.
    (7) Tranfers outside of the United States. A person who salvages a 
marine mammal specimen, or a person who has received a marine mammal 
specimen under the provisions of this section, may not transfer that 
specimen to a person outside of the United States unless the Assistant 
Administrator grants prior written authorization for the transfer. The 
Assistant Administrator may grant authorization for the transfer if 
there is evidence that the conditions listed under paragraphs (c)(5)(i), 
(c)(5)(iii), and (c)(5)(iv) of this section are met.
    (8) Exceptions to requirements for notification or prior 
authorization. A person may transfer a marine mammal specimen salvaged 
under this section without the notification required in paragraph 
(c)(5)(v) of this section or the prior authorization required in 
paragraph (c)(6) of this section if:
    (i) The transfer is a temporary transfer to a laboratory or research 
facility within the United States so that analyses can be performed for 
the person salvaging the specimen; or
    (ii) The transfer is a loan of not more than 1 year to another 
professionally accredited scientific collection within the United 
States.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 56 FR 41307, Aug. 20, 1991]
Sec. 216.23  Native exceptions.
    (a) Taking. Notwithstanding the prohibitions of subpart B of this 
part 216, but subject to the restrictions contained in this section, any 
Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo who resides on the
[[Page 18]]
coast of the North Pacific Ocean or the Arctic Ocean may take any marine 
mammal without a permit, if such taking is:
    (1) By Alaskan Natives who reside in Alaska for subsistence, or
    (2) For purposes of creating and selling authentic native articles 
of handicraft and clothing, and
    (3) In each case, not accomplished in a wasteful manner.
    (b) Restrictions. (1) No marine mammal taken for subsistence may be 
sold or otherwise transferred to any person other than an Alaskan Native 
or delivered, carried, transported, or shipped in interstate or foreign 
commerce, unless:
    (i) It is being sent by an Alaskan Native directly or through a 
registered agent to a tannery registered under paragraph (c) of this 
section for the purpose of processing, and will be returned directly or 
through a registered agent to the Alaskan Native; or
    (ii) It is sold or transferred to a registered agent in Alaska for 
resale or transfer to an Alaskan Native; or
    (iii) It is an edible portion and it is sold in an Alaskan Native 
village or town.
    (2) No marine mammal taken for purposes of creating and selling 
authentic native articles of handicraft and clothing may be sold or 
otherwise transferred to any person other than an Indian, Aleut or 
Eskimo, or delivered, carried, transported or shipped in interstate or 
foreign commerce, unless:
    (i) It is being sent by an Indian, Aleut or Eskimo directly or 
through a registered agent to a tannery registered under paragraph (c) 
of this section for the purpose of processing, and will be returned 
directly or through a registered agent to the Indian, Aleut or Eskimo; 
or
    (ii) It is sold or transferred to a registered agent for resale or 
transfer to an Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo; or
    (iii) It has first been transformed into an authentic native article 
of handicraft or clothing; or
    (iv) It is an edible portion and sold (A) in an Alaskan Native 
village or town, or (B) to an Alaskan Native for his consumption.
    (c) Any tannery, or person who wishes to act as an agent, within the 
jurisdiction of the United States may apply to the Director, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 
20235, for registration as a tannery or an agent which may possess and 
process marine mammal products for Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos. The 
application shall include the following information:
    (i) The name and address of the applicant;
    (ii) A description of the applicant's procedures for receiving, 
storing, processing, and shipping materials;
    (iii) A proposal for a system of bookkeeping and/or inventory 
segregation by which the applicant could maintain accurate records of 
marine mammals received from Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos pursuant to 
this section;
    (iv) Such other information as the Secretary may request;
    (v) A certification in the following language:
    I hereby certify that the foregoing information is complete, true 
and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that 
this information is submitted for the purpose of obtaining the benefit 
of an exception under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 
U.S.C. 1361 through 1407) and regulations promulgated thereunder, and 
that any false statement may subject me to the criminal penalties of 18 
U.S.C. 1001, or to penalties under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972.
    (vi) The signature of the applicant.
The sufficiency of the application shall be determined by the Secretary, 
and in that connection, he may waive any requirement for information, or 
require any elaboration or further information deemed necessary. The 
registration of a tannery or other agent shall be subject to such 
conditions as the Secretary prescribes, which may include, but are not 
limited to, provisions regarding records, inventory segregation, 
reports, and inspection. The Secretary may charge a reasonable fee for 
processing such applications, including an appropriate apportionment of 
overhead and administrative expenses of the Department of Commerce.
    (d) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, 
whenever, under the MMPA, the Secretary determines any species of stock 
of marine mammals to be depleted, he may prescribe regulations pursuant 
to section
[[Page 19]]
103 of the MMPA upon the taking of such marine animals by any Indian, 
Aleut, or Eskimo and, after promulgation of such regulations, all 
takings of such marine mammals shall conform to such regulations.
    (e) Marking and reporting of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales. (1) 
Definitions. In addition to definitions contained in the MMPA and the 
regulations in this part:
    (i) Reporting means the collection and delivery of biological data, 
harvest data, and other information regarding the effect of taking a 
beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) from Cook Inlet, as required by 
NMFS.
    (ii) Whaling captain or vessel operator means the individual who is 
identified by Alaskan Natives as the leader of each hunting team 
(usually the other crew on the boat) and who is the whaling captain; or 
the individual operating the boat at the time the whale is harvested or 
transported to the place of processing.
    (iii) Cook Inlet means all waters of Cook Inlet north of 59[deg] 
North latitude, including, but not limited to, waters of Kachemak Bay, 
Kamishak Bay, Chinitna Bay, and Tuxedni Bay.
    (2) Marking. Each whaling captain or vessel operator, upon killing 
and landing a beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) from Cook Inlet, 
Alaska, must remove the lower left jawbone, leaving the teeth intact and 
in place. When multiple whales are harvested during one hunting trip, 
the jawbones will be marked for identification in the field to ensure 
correct reporting of harvest information by placing a label marked with 
the date, time, and location of harvest within the container in which 
the jawbone is placed. The jawbone(s) must be retained by the whaling 
captain or vessel operator and delivered to NMFS at the Anchorage Field 
Office, 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99513 within 72 hours of 
returning from the hunt.
    (3) Reporting. Upon delivery to NMFS of a jawbone, the whaling 
captain or vessel operator must complete and mail a reporting form, 
available from NMFS, to the NMFS Anchorage Field Office within 30 days. 
A separate form is required for each whale harvested.
    (i) To be complete, the form must contain the following information: 
the date and location of kill, the method of harvest, and the coloration 
of the whale. The respondent will also be invited to report on any other 
observations concerning the animal or circumstance of the harvest.
    (ii) Data collected pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section will 
be reported on forms obtained from the Anchorage Field Office. These 
data will be maintained in the NMFS Alaska Regional Office in Juneau, 
Alaska, where such data will be available for public review.
    (4) No person may falsify any information required to be set forth 
on the reporting form as required by paragraph (e) of this section.
    (5) The Anchorage Field Office of NMFS is located in room 517 of the 
Federal Office Building, 222 West 7th Avenue; its mailing address is: 
NMFS, Box 43, Anchorage, AK. 99513.
    (f) Harvest management of Cook Inlet beluga whales. (1) Cooperative 
management of subsistence harvest. Subject to the provisions of 16 
U.S.C. 1371(b) and any further limitations set forth in Sec. 216.23, 
any taking of a Cook Inlet beluga whale by an Alaska Native must be 
authorized under an agreement for the co-management of subsistence uses 
(hereinafter in this paragraph ``co-management agreement'') between the 
National Marine Fisheries Service and an Alaska Native organization(s).
    (2) Limitations. (i) Sale of Cook Inlet beluga whale parts and 
products. Authentic Native articles of handicraft and clothing made from 
nonedible by-products of beluga whales taken in accordance with the 
provisions of this paragraph may be sold in interstate commerce. The 
sale of any other part or product, including food stuffs, from Cook 
Inlet beluga whales is prohibited, provided that nothing herein shall be 
interpreted to prohibit or restrict customary and traditional 
subsistence practices of barter and sharing of Cook Inlet beluga parts 
and products.
    (ii) Beluga whale calves or adults with calves. The taking of a calf 
or an adult whale accompanied by a calf is prohibited.
    (iii) Season. All takings of beluga whales authorized under Sec. 
216.23(f) shall occur no earlier than July 1 of each year.
[[Page 20]]
    (iv) Taking during 2001-2004. The harvest of Cook Inlet beluga 
whales is restricted during the four-year period of 2001-2004 as 
follows:
    (A) Strike limitations. Subject to the suspension provision of 
subparagraph (C), a total of six (6) strikes, which could result in up 
to six landings, are to be allocated through co-management agreement(s).
    (B) Strike allocations. Four strikes, not to exceed one per year, 
are allocated to the Native Village of Tyonek. The remaining two strikes 
will be allocated over the 4-year period through co-management agreement 
with other Cook Inlet community hunters, with no more than one such 
strike being allocated during every other year.
    (C) Emergency provisions. Takings of beluga whales authorized under 
Sec. 216.23 will be suspended whenever unusual mortalities exceed six 
(6) whales in any year. ``Unusual mortalities'' include all documented 
human-caused mortality (including illegal takings and net entanglements 
but excluding all legally harvested whales) and all documented mortality 
resulting from unknown or natural causes that occur above normal levels, 
considered for the purposes of this provision to be twelve beluga whales 
per year. The level of unusual mortalities shall be calculated by 
documenting mortality for the calendar year and subtracting twelve. The 
sum of this result and the carry over of unusual mortality from any 
previous year from which the population has not recovered is the level 
of unusual mortalities for the current year. If in any year the number 
of unusual mortalities exceeds six whales, no strikes will be allowed in 
that year or in subsequent years until the population has recovered from 
those mortalities through foregone future harvests and natural 
recruitment.
    (v) Taking during 2005 and subsequent years. [Reserved]
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 59 FR 50376, Oct. 3, 1994; 64 
FR 27927, May 24, 1999; 69 FR 17980, Apr. 6, 2004]
Sec. 216.24  Taking and related acts incidental to commercial fishing 
          operations by tuna purse seine vessels in the eastern tropical 
          Pacific Ocean.
    (a)(1) No marine mammal may be taken in the course of a commercial 
fishing operation by a U.S. purse seine fishing vessel in the ETP unless 
the taking constitutes an incidental catch as defined in Sec. 216.3, 
and vessel and operator permits have been obtained in accordance with 
these regulations, and such taking is not in violation of such permits 
or regulations.
    (2)(i) It is unlawful for any person using a U.S. purse seine 
fishing vessel of 400 short tons (st) (362.8 metric tons (mt)) carrying 
capacity or less to intentionally deploy a net on or to encircle 
dolphins, or to carry more than two speedboats, if any part of its 
fishing trip is in the ETP.
    (ii) It is unlawful for any person using a U.S. purse seine fishing 
vessel of greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity that does not 
have a valid permit obtained under these regulations to catch, possess, 
or land tuna if any part of the vessel's fishing trip is in the ETP.
    (iii) It is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States to receive, purchase, or possess tuna caught, 
possessed, or landed in violation of paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this 
section.
    (iv) It is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States to intentionally deploy a purse seine net on, or to 
encircle, dolphins from a vessel operating in the ETP when there is not 
a DML assigned to that vessel.
    (v) It is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the 
United States to intentionally deploy a purse seine net on, or to 
encircle, dolphins from a vessel operating in the ETP with an assigned 
DML after a set in which the DML assigned to that vessel has been 
reached or exceeded.
    (vi) Alleged violations of the Agreement on the IDCP and/or these 
regulations identified by the International Review Panel will be 
considered for potential enforcement action by NMFS.
[[Page 21]]
    (3) Upon written request made in advance of entering the ETP, the 
limitations in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this section may 
be waived by the Administrator, Southwest Region, for the purpose of 
allowing transit through the ETP. The waiver will provide, in writing, 
the terms and conditions under which the vessel must operate, including 
a requirement to report to the Administrator, Southwest Region, the 
vessel's date of exit from or subsequent entry into the permit area.
    (b) Permits--(1) Vessel permit. The owner or managing owner of a 
U.S. purse seine fishing vessel of greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) 
carrying capacity that participates in commercial fishing operations in 
the ETP must possess a valid vessel permit issued under paragraph (b) of 
this section. This permit is not transferable and must be renewed 
annually. If a vessel permit holder surrenders his/her permit to the 
Administrator, Southwest Region, the permit will not be returned and a 
new permit will not be issued before the end of the calendar year. 
Vessel permits will be valid through December 31 of each year.
    (2) Operator permit. The person in charge of and actually 
controlling fishing operations (hereinafter referred to as the operator) 
on a U.S. purse seine fishing vessel engaged in commercial fishing 
operations under a vessel permit must possess a valid operator permit 
issued under paragraph (b) of this section. Such permits are not 
transferable and must be renewed annually. To receive a permit, the 
operator must have satisfactorily completed all required training under 
paragraph (c)(5) of this section. The operator's permit is valid only 
when the permit holder is on a vessel with a valid vessel permit. 
Operator permits will be valid through December 31 of each year.
    (3) Possession and display. A valid vessel permit issued pursuant to 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section must be on board the vessel while 
engaged in fishing operations, and a valid operator permit issued 
pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of this section must be in the possession 
of the operator to whom it was issued. Permits must be shown upon 
request to NMFS enforcement agents, U.S. Coast Guard officers, or 
designated agents of NMFS or the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 
(IATTC) (including observers). A vessel owner or operator who is at sea 
on a fishing trip when his or her permit expires and to whom a permit 
for the next year has been issued, may take marine mammals under the 
terms of the new permit without having to display it on board the vessel 
until the vessel returns to port.
    (4) Application for vessel permit. The owner or managing owner of a 
purse seine vessel may apply for a permit from the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, allowing at least 15 days for processing. All vessel 
permit applications must be faxed to (562) 980-4027. An owner or 
managing owner requesting to have a vessel in excess of 400 st (362.8 
mt) carrying capacity for which a DML was requested categorized as 
active on the Vessel Register under Sec. 300.22(b)(4)(i) of this title 
must submit to the Administrator, Southwest Region, the vessel permit 
application, payment of the observer placement fee under paragraph 
(b)(6)(iii) of this section and payment of the vessel permit application 
processing fee no later than September 15 of the year prior to the year 
for which the DML was requested. The owner or managing owner of a vessel 
in excess of 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity not requesting a DML 
must submit the vessel permit application, payment of the observer 
placement fee, and payment of the vessel permit application processing 
fee no later than November 30 of the year prior to the year for which 
the vessel permit was requested. An application must contain:
    (i) The name, official number, tonnage, carrying capacity in short 
or metric tons, maximum speed in knots, processing equipment, and type 
and quantity of gear, including an inventory of equipment required under 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section if the application is for purse seining 
involving the intentional taking of marine mammals, of the vessel that 
is to be covered under the permit;
    (ii) A statement of whether the vessel will make sets involving the 
intentional taking of marine mammals;
[[Page 22]]
    (iii) The type and identification number(s) of Federal, state, and 
local commercial fishing licenses under which vessel operations are 
conducted, and the dates of expiration;
    (iv) The name(s) of the operator(s) anticipated to be used; and
    (v) The name and signature of the applicant, whether he/she is the 
owner or the managing owner, his/her address, telephone and fax numbers, 
and, if applicable, the name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the 
agent or organization acting on behalf of the vessel.
    (5) Application for operator permit. An applicant for an operator 
permit must provide the following information to the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, allowing at least 45 days for processing:
    (i) The name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the applicant;
    (ii) The type and identification number(s) of any Federal, state, 
and local fishing licenses held by the applicant;
    (iii) The name of the vessel(s) on which the applicant anticipates 
serving as an operator;
    (iv) The date, location, and provider of training required under 
paragraph (c)(5) of this section for the operator permit; and
    (v) The applicant's signature or the signature of the applicant's 
representative.
    (6) Fees--(i) Vessel permit application fees. Payment of the permit 
application fee is required before NMFS will issue a permit. The 
Assistant Administrator may change the amount of this fee at any time if 
a different fee is determined in accordance with the NOAA Finance 
Handbook. The amount of the fee will be printed on the vessel permit 
application form provided by the Administrator, Southwest Region.
    (ii) Operator permit fee. There is no fee for the operator permit. 
The Assistant Administrator may require a fee at any time if a fee is 
determined in accordance with the NOAA Finance Handbook and specified by 
the Administrator, Southwest Region, on the application form.
    (iii) Observer placement fee. The observer placement fee supports 
the placement of observers on individual vessels, and maintenance of the 
observer program, as established by the IATTC or other approved observer 
program.
    (A) The owner or managing owner of a vessel for which a DML has been 
requested must submit the observer placement fee, as established by the 
IATTC or other approved observer program, to the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, no later than September 15 of the year prior to the 
calendar year for which the DML was requested. Payment of the observer 
placement fee must be consistent with the fee for active status on the 
Vessel Register under Sec. 300.22(b)(4) of this title.
    (B) The owner or managing owner of a vessel for which a DML has not 
been requested, but that is listed on the Vessel Register, as defined in 
Sec. 300.21 of this title, must submit payment of the observer 
placement fee, as established by the IATTC or other approved observer 
program, to the Administrator, Southwest Region, no later than November 
30 of the year prior to the calendar year in which the vessel will be 
listed on the Vessel Register. Payment of the observer placement fee 
must be consistent with the vessel's status, either active or inactive, 
on the Vessel Register in Sec. 300.22(b)(4) of this title.
    (C) The owner or managing owner of a purse seine vessel that is 
licensed under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty must submit the observer 
placement fee, as established by the IATTC or other approved observer 
program, to the Administrator, Southwest Region, prior to obtaining an 
observer and entering the ETP to fish. Consistent with Sec. 
300.22(b)(1)(i) of this title, this class of purse seine vessels is not 
required to be listed on the Vessel Register under Sec. 300.22(b)(4) of 
this title in order to purse seine for tuna in the ETP during a single 
fishing trip per calendar year of 90 days or less. Payment of the 
observer placement fee must be consistent with the fee for active status 
on the Vessel Register under Sec. 300.22(b)(4) of this title.
    (D) The owner or managing owner of a purse seine vessel listed as 
inactive on the Vessel Register at the beginning of the calendar year 
and who requests to replace a vessel removed from active status on the 
Vessel Register under Sec. 300.22(b)(4) of this title during the year, 
must pay the observer placement
[[Page 23]]
fee associated with active status less the observer placement fee 
associated with inactive status that was already paid before NMFS will 
request the IATTC Secretariat change the status of the vessel from 
inactive to active.
    (E) The owner or managing owner of a purse seine vessel not listed 
on the Vessel Register at the beginning of the calendar year and who 
requests to replace a vessel removed from active status on the Vessel 
Register under Sec. 300.22(b)(4) of this title during the year, must 
pay the observer placement fee associated with active status before NMFS 
will request the IATTC Secretariat change the status of the vessel to 
active.
    (F) Payments received after the dates specified in paragraphs (b) 
(6) (iii)(A) or (B) of this section will be subject to a 10 percent 
surcharge. The Administrator, Southwest Region, will forward all 
observer placement fees described in this section to the IATTC or to the 
applicable organization approved by the Administrator, Southwest Region.
    (7) Application approval. The Administrator, Southwest Region, will 
determine the adequacy and completeness of an application and, upon 
determining that an application is adequate and complete, will approve 
that application and issue the appropriate permit, except for applicants 
having unpaid or overdue civil penalties, criminal fines, or other 
liabilities incurred in a legal proceeding.
    (8) Conditions applicable to all permits--(i) General conditions. 
Failure to comply with the provisions of a permit or with these 
regulations may lead to suspension, revocation, modification, or denial 
of a permit. The permit holder, vessel, vessel owner, operator, or 
master may be subject, jointly or severally, to the penalties provided 
for under the MMPA. Procedures governing permit sanctions and denials 
are found at subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
    (ii) Observer placement. By obtaining a permit, the permit holder 
consents to the placement of an observer on the vessel during every trip 
involving operations in the ETP and agrees to payment of the fees for 
observer placement. No observer will be assigned to a vessel unless that 
vessel owner has submitted payment of observer fees to the 
Administrator, Southwest Region. The observers may be placed under an 
observer program of NMFS, IATTC, or another observer program approved by 
the Administrator, Southwest Region.
    (iii) Explosives. The use of explosive devices is prohibited during 
all tuna purse seine operations that involve marine mammals.
    (iv) Reporting requirements. (A) The vessel permit holder of each 
permitted vessel must notify the Administrator, Southwest Region or the 
IATTC contact designated by the Administrator, Southwest Region, at 
least 5 days in advance of the vessel's departure on a fishing trip to 
allow for observer placement on every trip.
    (B) The vessel permit holder must notify the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, or the IATTC contact designated by the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, of any change of vessel operator at least 48 hours 
prior to departing on a fishing trip. In the case of a change in 
operator due to an emergency, notification must be made within 72 hours 
of the change.
    (v) Data release. By using a permit, the permit holder authorizes 
the release to NMFS and the IATTC of all data collected by observers 
aboard purse seine vessels during fishing trips under the IATTC observer 
program or another international observer program approved by the 
Administrator, Southwest Region. The permit holder must furnish the 
international observer program with all release forms required to 
authorize the observer data to be provided to NMFS and the IATTC. Data 
obtained under such releases will be used for the same purposes as would 
data collected directly by observers placed by NMFS and will be subject 
to the same standards of confidentiality.
    (9) Mortality and serious injury reports. The Administrator, 
Southwest Region, will provide to the public periodic status reports 
summarizing the estimated incidental dolphin mortality and serious 
injury by U.S. vessels of individual species and stocks.
    (c) Purse seining by vessels with Dolphin Mortality Limits (DMLs). 
In addition to the terms and conditions set forth in paragraph (b) of 
this section, any permit for a vessel to which a DML
[[Page 24]]
has been assigned under paragraph (c)(9) of this section and any 
operator permit when used on such a vessel are subject to the following 
terms and conditions:
    (1) A vessel may be used to chase and encircle schools of dolphins 
in the ETP only under the immediate direction of the holder of a valid 
operator's permit.
    (2) No retention of live marine mammals. Except as otherwise 
authorized by a specific permit, live marine mammals incidentally taken 
must be immediately returned to the ocean without further injury. The 
operator of a purse seine vessel must take every precaution to refrain 
from causing or permitting incidental mortality or serious injury of 
marine mammals. Live marine mammals may not be brailed, sacked up, or 
hoisted onto the deck during ortza retrieval.
    (3) Gear and equipment required for valid permit. A vessel 
possessing a vessel permit for purse seining involving the intentional 
taking of marine mammals may not engage in fishing operations involving 
the intentional deployment of the net on or encirclement of dolphins 
unless it is equipped with a dolphin safety panel in its purse seine, 
has the other required gear and equipment, and uses the required 
procedures.
    (i) Dolphin safety panel. The dolphin safety panel must be a minimum 
of 180 fathoms in length (as measured before installation), except that 
the minimum length of the panel in nets deeper than 18 strips must be 
determined in a ratio of 10 fathoms in length for each strip of net 
depth. It must be installed so as to protect the perimeter of the 
backdown area. The perimeter of the backdown area is the length of 
corkline that begins at the outboard end of the last bowbunch pulled and 
continues to at least two-thirds the distance from the backdown channel 
apex to the stern tiedown point. The dolphin safety panel must consist 
of small mesh webbing not to exceed 1 1/4 inches (3.18 centimeters (cm)) 
stretch mesh extending downward from the corkline and, if present, the 
base of the dolphin apron to a minimum depth equivalent to two strips of 
100 meshes of 4 1/4 inches (10.80 cm) stretch mesh webbing. In addition, 
at least a 20-fathom length of corkline must be free from bunchlines at 
the apex of the backdown channel.
    (ii) Dolphin safety panel markers. Each end of the dolphin safety 
panel and dolphin apron, if present, must be identified with an easily 
distinguishable marker.
    (iii) Dolphin safety panel hand holds. Throughout the length of the 
corkline under which the dolphin safety panel and dolphin apron are 
located, hand hold openings must be secured so that they will not allow 
the insertion of a 1 3/8 inch (3.50 cm) diameter cylindrical-shaped 
object.
    (iv) Dolphin safety panel corkline hangings. Throughout the length 
of the corkline under which the dolphin safety panel and dolphin apron 
if present, are located, corkline hangings must be inspected by the 
vessel operator following each trip. Hangings found to have loosened to 
the extent that a cylindrical-shaped object with a 1 3/8 inch (3.50 cm) 
diameter can be inserted between the cork and corkline hangings, must be 
tightened so as not to allow the insertion of a cylindrical-shaped 
object with a 1 3/8 inch (3.50 cm) diameter.
    (v) Speedboats. A minimum of three speedboats in operating condition 
must be carried. All speedboats carried aboard purse seine vessels and 
in operating condition must be rigged with tow lines and towing bridles 
or towing posts. Speedboat hoisting bridles may not be substituted for 
towing bridles.
    (vi) Raft. A raft suitable to be used as a dolphin observation-and-
rescue platform must be carried.
    (vii) Facemask and snorkel, or viewbox. At least two facemasks and 
snorkels or viewboxes must be carried.
    (viii) Lights. The vessel must be equipped with lights capable of 
producing a minimum of 140,000 lumens of output for use in darkness to 
ensure sufficient light to observe that procedures for dolphin release 
are carried out and to monitor incidental dolphin mortality.
    (4) Vessel inspection--(i) Annual. At least once during each 
calendar year, purse seine nets and other gear and equipment required 
under Sec. 216.24(c)(3) must be made available for inspection and for a 
trial set/net alignment by an authorized NMFS inspector or IATTC
[[Page 25]]
staff as specified by the Administrator, Southwest Region, in order to 
obtain a vessel permit.
    (ii) Reinspection. Purse seine nets and other gear and equipment 
required by these regulations must be made available for reinspection by 
an authorized NMFS inspector or IATTC staff as specified by the 
Administrator, Southwest Region. The vessel permit holder must notify 
the Administrator, Southwest Region, of any net modification at least 5 
days prior to departure of the vessel in order to determine whether a 
reinspection or trial set/net alignment is required.
    (iii) Failure to pass inspection. Upon failure to pass an inspection 
or reinspection, a vessel may not engage in purse seining involving the 
intentional taking of marine mammals until the deficiencies in gear or 
equipment are corrected as required by NMFS.
    (5) Operator permit holder training requirements. An operator must 
maintain proficiency sufficient to perform the procedures required 
herein, and must attend and satisfactorily complete a formal training 
session approved by the Administrator, Southwest Region, in order to 
obtain his or her permit. At the training session, an attendee will be 
instructed on the relevant provisions and regulatory requirements of the 
MMPA and the IDCP, and the fishing gear and techniques that are required 
for reducing serious injury and mortality of dolphin incidental to purse 
seining for tuna. Operators who have received a written certificate of 
satisfactory completion of training and who possess a current or 
previous calendar year permit will not be required to attend additional 
formal training sessions unless there are substantial changes in the 
relevant provisions or implementing regulations of the MMPA or the IDCP, 
or in fishing gear and techniques. Additional training may be required 
for any operator who is found by the Administrator, Southwest Region, to 
lack proficiency in the required fishing procedures or familiarity with 
the relevant provisions or regulations of the MMPA or the IDCP.
    (6) Marine mammal release requirements. All operators fishing 
pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section must use the following 
procedures during all sets involving the incidental taking of marine 
mammals in association with the capture and landing of tuna.
    (i) Backdown procedure. Backdown must be performed following a purse 
seine set in which dolphins are captured in the course of catching tuna, 
and must be continued until it is no longer possible to remove live 
dolphins from the net by this procedure. At least one crewmember must be 
deployed during backdown to aid in the release of dolphins. Thereafter, 
other release procedures required will be continued so that all live 
dolphins are released prior to the initiation of the sack-up procedure.
    (ii) Prohibited use of sharp or pointed instrument. The use of a 
sharp or pointed instrument to remove any marine mammal from the net is 
prohibited.
    (iii) Sundown sets prohibited. On every set encircling dolphin, the 
backdown procedure must be completed no later than one-half hour after 
sundown, except as provided here. For the purpose of this section, 
sundown is defined as the time at which the upper edge of the sun 
disappears below the horizon or, if the view of the sun is obscured, the 
local time of sunset calculated from tables developed by the U.S. Naval 
Observatory or other authoritative source approved by the Administrator, 
Southwest Region. A sundown set is a set in which the backdown procedure 
has not been completed and rolling the net to sack-up has not begun 
within one-half hour after sundown. Should a set extend beyond one-half 
hour after sundown, the operator must use the required marine mammal 
release procedures including the use of the high intensity lighting 
system. In the event a sundown set occurs where the seine skiff was let 
go 90 or more minutes before sundown, and an earnest effort to rescue 
dolphins is made, the International Review Panel of the IDCP may 
recommend to the United States that in the view of the International 
Review Panel, prosecution by the United States is not recommended. Any 
such recommendation will be considered by the United States in 
evaluating the appropriateness of prosecution in a particular 
circumstance.
    (iv) Dolphin safety panel. During backdown, the dolphin safety panel
[[Page 26]]
must be positioned so that it protects the perimeter of the backdown 
area. The perimeter of the backdown area is the length of corkline that 
begins at the outboard end of the last bow bunch pulled and continues to 
at least two-thirds the distance from the backdown channel apex to the 
stern tiedown point.
    (7) Experimental fishing operations. The Administrator, Southwest 
Region, may authorize experimental fishing operations, consistent with 
the provisions of the IDCP, for the purpose of testing proposed 
improvements in fishing techniques and equipment that may reduce or 
eliminate dolphin mortality or serious injury, or do not require the 
encirclement of dolphins in the course of fishing operations. The 
Administrator, Southwest Region, may waive, as appropriate, any 
requirements of this section except DMLs and the obligation to carry an 
observer.
    (i) A vessel permit holder may apply for an experimental fishing 
operation waiver by submitting the following information to the 
Administrator, Southwest Region, no less than 90 days before the date 
the proposed operation is intended to begin:
    (A) The name(s) of the vessel(s) and the vessel permit holder(s) to 
participate;
    (B) A statement of the specific vessel gear and equipment or 
procedural requirement to be exempted and why such an exemption is 
necessary to conduct the experiment;
    (C) A description of how the proposed modification to the gear and 
equipment or procedures is expected to reduce incidental mortality or 
serious injury of marine mammals;
    (D) A description of the applicability of this modification to other 
purse seine vessels;
    (E) The planned design, time, duration, and general area of the 
experimental operation;
    (F) The name(s) of the permitted operator(s) of the vessel(s) during 
the experiment;
    (G) A statement of the qualifications of the individual or company 
doing the analysis of the research; and
    (H) Signature of the permitted operator or of the operator's 
representative.
    (ii) The Administrator, Southwest Region, will acknowledge receipt 
of the application and, upon determining that it is complete, will 
publish a notice in the Federal Register summarizing the application, 
making the full application available for inspection and inviting 
comments for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of publication.
    (iii) The Administrator, Southwest Region, after considering the 
information submitted in the application identified in paragraph 
(c)(7)(i) of this section and the comments received, will either issue a 
waiver to conduct the experiment that includes restrictions or 
conditions deemed appropriate, or deny the application, giving the 
reasons for denial.
    (iv) A waiver for an experimental fishing operation will be valid 
only for the vessels and operators named in the permit, for the time 
period and areas specified, for trips carrying an observer designated by 
the Administrator, Southwest Region, and when all the terms and 
conditions of the permit are met.
    (v) The Administrator, Southwest Region, may suspend or revoke an 
experimental fishing waiver in accordance with 15 CFR part 904 if the 
terms and conditions of the waiver or the provisions of the regulations 
are not followed.
    (8) Operator permit holder performance requirements. [Reserved]
    (9) Vessel permit holder dolphin mortality limits. For purposes of 
this paragraph, the term ``vessel permit holder'' includes both the 
holder of a current vessel permit and also the holder of a vessel permit 
for the following year.
    (i) By September 1 each year, a vessel permit holder desiring a DML 
for the following year must provide to the Administrator, Southwest 
Region, the name of the U.S. purse seine fishing vessel(s) of carrying 
capacity greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) that the owner intends to use to 
intentionally deploy purse seine fishing nets in the ETP to encircle 
dolphins in an effort to capture tuna during the following year. NMFS 
will forward the list of purse seine vessels to the Director of the 
IATTC on or before October 1, or as otherwise required by the IDCP, for 
assignment of a DML for the following
[[Page 27]]
year under the provisions of Annex IV of the Agreement on the IDCP.
    (ii) Each vessel permit holder that desires a DML only for the 
period between July 1 to December 31 must provide the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, by September 1 of the prior year, the name of the U.S. 
purse seine fishing vessel(s) of greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying 
capacity that the owner intends to use to intentionally deploy purse 
seine fishing nets in the ETP to encircle dolphins in an effort to 
capture tuna during the period. NMFS will forward the list of purse 
seine vessels to the Director of the IATTC on or before October 1, or as 
otherwise required under the IDCP, for possible assignment of a DML for 
the 6-month period July 1 to December 31. Under the IDCP, the DML will 
be calculated by the IDCP from any unutilized pool of DMLs in accordance 
with the procedure described in Annex IV of the Agreement on the IDCP 
and will not exceed one-half of an unadjusted full-year DML as 
calculated by the IDCP.
    (iii)(A) The Administrator, Southwest Region, will notify vessel 
owners of the DML assigned for each vessel for the following year, or 
the second half of the year, as applicable.
    (B) The Administrator, Southwest Region, may adjust the DMLs in 
accordance with Annex IV of the Agreement on the IDCP. All adjustments 
of full-year DMLs will be made before January 1, and the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, will notify the Director of the IATTC of any 
adjustments prior to a vessel departing on a trip using its adjusted 
DML. The notification will be no later than February 1 in the case of 
adjustments to full-year DMLs, and no later than May 1 in the case of 
adjustments to DMLs for the second half of the year.
    (C) In accordance with the requirements of Annex IV of the Agreement 
on the IDCP, the Administrator, Southwest Region, may adjust a vessel's 
DML if it will further scientific or technological advancement in the 
protection of marine mammals in the fishery or if the past performance 
of the vessel indicates that the protection or use of the yellowfin tuna 
stocks or marine mammals is best served by the adjustment, within the 
mandates of the MMPA. Experimental fishing operation waivers or 
scientific research permits will be considered a basis for adjustments.
    (iv)(A) A vessel assigned a full-year DML that does not make a set 
on dolphins by April 1 or that leaves the fishery will lose its DML for 
the remainder of the year, unless the failure to set on dolphins is due 
to force majeure or other extraordinary circumstances as determined by 
the International Review Panel.
    (B) A vessel assigned a DML for the second half of the year will be 
considered to have lost its DML if the vessel has not made a set on 
dolphins before December 31, unless the failure to set on dolphins is 
due to force majeure or extraordinary circumstances as determined by the 
International Review Panel.
    (C) Any vessel that loses its DML for 2 consecutive years will not 
be eligible to receive a DML for the following year.
    (D) NMFS will determine, based on available information, whether a 
vessel has left the fishery.
    (1) A vessel lost at sea, undergoing extensive repairs, operating in 
an ocean area other than the ETP, or for which other information 
indicates that vessel will no longer be conducting purse seine 
operations in the ETP for the remainder of the period covered by the DML 
will be determined to have left the fishery.
    (2) NMFS will make all reasonable efforts to determine the 
intentions of the vessel owner. The owner of any vessel that has been 
preliminarily determined to have left the fishery will be provided 
notice of such preliminary determination and given the opportunity to 
provide information on whether the vessel has left the fishery prior to 
NMFS making a final determination under 15 CFR part 904 and notifying 
the IATTC.
    (v) Any vessel that exceeds its assigned DML after any applicable 
adjustment under paragraph (c)(9)(iii) of this section will have its DML 
for the subsequent year reduced by 150 percent of the overage, unless 
another adjustment is determined by the International Review Panel, as 
mandated by the Agreement on the IDCP.
[[Page 28]]
    (vi) A vessel that is covered by a valid vessel permit and that does 
not normally fish for tuna in the ETP but desires to participate in the 
fishery on a limited basis may apply for a per-trip DML from the 
Administrator, Southwest Region, at any time, allowing at least 60 days 
for processing. The request must state the expected number of trips 
involving sets on dolphins and the anticipated dates of the trip or 
trips. The request will be forwarded to the Secretariat of the IATTC for 
processing in accordance with Annex IV of the Agreement on the IDCP. A 
per-trip DML will be assigned if one is made available in accordance 
with the terms of Annex IV of the Agreement on the IDCP. If a vessel 
assigned a per-trip DML does not set on dolphins during that trip, the 
vessel will be considered to have lost its DML unless this was a result 
of force majeure or other extraordinary circumstances as determined by 
the International Review Panel. After two consecutive losses of a DML, a 
vessel will not be eligible to receive a DML for the next fishing year.
    (vii) Observers will make their records available to the vessel 
operator at any reasonable time, including after each set, in order for 
the operator to monitor the balance of the DML(s) remaining for use.
    (viii) Vessel and operator permit holders must not deploy a purse 
seine net on or encircle any school of dolphins containing individuals 
of a particular stock of dolphins for the remainder of the calendar 
year:
    (A) after the applicable per-stock per-year dolphin mortality limit 
for that stock of dolphins (or for that vessel, if so assigned) has been 
reached or exceeded; or
    (B) after the time and date provided in actual notification or 
notification in the Federal Register by the Administrator, Southwest 
Region, based upon the best available evidence, stating when any 
applicable per-stock per-year dolphin mortality limit has been reached 
or exceeded, or is expected to be reached in the near future.
    (ix) If individual dolphins belonging to a stock that is prohibited 
from being taken are not reasonably observable at the time the net skiff 
attached to the net is released from the vessel at the start of a set, 
the fact that individuals of that stock are subsequently taken will not 
be cause for enforcement action provided that all procedures required by 
the applicable regulations have been followed.
    (x) Vessel and operator permit holders must not intentionally deploy 
a purse seine net on or encircle dolphins intentionally:
    (A) after a set in which the vessel's DML, as adjusted, has been 
reached or exceeded; or
    (B) after the date and time provided in actual notification by 
letter, facsimile, radio, or electronic mail, or notice in the Federal 
Register by the Administrator, Southwest Region, based upon the best 
available evidence, that intentional sets on dolphins must cease because 
the total of the DMLs assigned to the U.S. fleet has been reached or 
exceeded, or is expected to be exceeded in the near future.
    (d) Purse seining by vessels without assigned DMLs. In addition to 
the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, a vessel permit used 
for a trip not involving an assigned DML and the operator's permit when 
used on such a vessel are subject to the following terms and conditions: 
a permit holder may take marine mammals provided that such taking is an 
accidental occurrence in the course of normal commercial fishing 
operations and the vessel does not intentionally deploy its net on, or 
to encircle, dolphins; marine mammals taken incidental to such 
commercial fishing operations must be immediately returned to the 
environment where captured without further injury, using release 
procedures such as hand rescue, or aborting the set at the earliest 
effective opportunity; and the use of one or more rafts and facemasks or 
viewboxes to aid in the rescue of dolphins is recommended.
    (e) Observers--(1) The holder of a vessel permit must allow an 
observer duly authorized by the Administrator, Southwest Region, to 
accompany the vessel on all fishing trips in the ETP for the purpose of 
conducting research and observing operations, including collecting 
information that may be used in civil or criminal penalty proceedings, 
forfeiture actions, or permit sanctions. A vessel that fails to carry
[[Page 29]]
an observer in accordance with these requirements may not engage in 
fishing operations.
    (2) Research and observation duties will be carried out in such a 
manner as to minimize interference with commercial fishing operations. 
Observers must be provided access to vessel personnel and to dolphin 
safety gear and equipment, electronic navigation equipment, radar 
displays, high powered binoculars, and electronic communication 
equipment. The navigator must provide true vessel locations by latitude 
and longitude, accurate to the nearest minute, upon request by the 
observer. Observers must be provided with adequate space on the bridge 
or pilothouse for clerical work, as well as space on deck adequate for 
carrying out observer duties. No vessel owner, master, operator, or crew 
member of a permitted vessel may impair, or in any way interfere with, 
the research or observations being carried out. Masters must allow 
observers to use vessel communication equipment necessary to report 
information concerning the take of marine mammals and other observer 
collected data upon request of the observer.
    (3) Any marine mammals killed during fishing operations that are 
accessible to crewmen and requested from the permit holder or master by 
the observer must be brought aboard the vessel and retained for 
biological processing, until released by the observer for return to the 
ocean. Whole marine mammals or marine mammal parts designated as 
biological specimens by the observer must be retained in cold storage 
aboard the vessel until retrieved by authorized personnel of NMFS or the 
IATTC when the vessel returns to port for unloading.
    (4) It is unlawful for any person to forcibly assault, impede, 
intimidate, interfere with, or to influence or attempt to influence an 
observer, or to harass (including sexual harassment) an observer by 
conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with 
the observer's work performance, or that creates an intimidating, 
hostile, or offensive environment. In determining whether conduct 
constitutes harassment, the totality of the circumstances, including the 
nature of the conduct and the context in which it occurred, will be 
considered. The determination of the legality of a particular action 
will be made from the facts on a case-by-case basis.
    (5)(i) All observers must be provided sleeping, toilet and eating 
accommodations at least equal to that provided to a full crew member. A 
mattress or futon on the floor or a cot is not acceptable in place of a 
regular bunk. Meal and other galley privileges must be the same for the 
observer as for other crew members.
    (ii) Female observers on a vessel with an all-male crew must be 
accommodated either in a single-person cabin or, if reasonable privacy 
can be ensured by installing a curtain or other temporary divider, in a 
two-person cabin shared with a licensed officer of the vessel. If the 
cabin assigned to a female observer does not have its own toilet and 
shower facilities that can be provided for the exclusive use of the 
observer, then a schedule for time-sharing common facilities must be 
established before the placement meeting and approved by NMFS or other 
approved observer program and must be followed during the entire trip.
    (iii) In the event there are one or more female crew members, the 
female observer must be provided a bunk in a cabin shared solely with 
female crew members, and provided toilet and shower facilities shared 
solely with these female crew members.
    (f) Importation, purchase, shipment, sale and transport. (1)(i) It 
is illegal to import into the United States any fish, whether fresh, 
frozen, or otherwise prepared, if the fish have been caught with 
commercial fishing technology that results in the incidental kill or 
incidental serious injury of marine mammals in excess of that allowed 
under this part for U.S. fishermen, or as specified at paragraph (f)(6) 
of this section.
    (ii) For purposes of this paragraph (f), and in applying the 
definition of an ``intermediary nation,'' an import occurs when the fish 
or fish product is released from a nation's Customs' custody and enters 
into the commerce of the nation. For other purposes, ``import'' is 
defined in Sec. 216.3.
    (2) Imports requiring a Fisheries Certificate of Origin. Shipments 
of tuna, tuna
[[Page 30]]
products, and certain other fish products identified by the U.S. 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers listed in paragraphs (f)(2)(i), 
(f)(2)(ii) and (f)(2)(iii) of this section may not be imported into the 
United States unless a properly completed Fisheries Certificate of 
Origin (FCO), NOAA Form 370, is filed with the U.S. Customs Service at 
the time of importation.
    (i) HTS numbers requiring a Fisheries Certificate of Origin, subject 
to yellowfin tuna embargo. The following HTS numbers identify yellowfin 
tuna or yellowfin tuna products (other than fresh tuna) known to be 
imported into the United States. All shipments imported into the United 
States under these HTS numbers must be accompanied by an FCO. The scope 
of yellowfin tuna embargoes and procedures for attaining an affirmative 
finding are described under paragraphs (f)(6) and (f)(8) of this 
section, respectively.
(A) Frozen:...............................
0303.42.0020..............................  Yellowfin tuna, whole,
                                             frozen
0303.42.0040..............................  Yellowfin tuna, eviscerated,
                                             head on, frozen
0303.42.0060..............................  Yellowfin tuna, other,
                                             frozen
(B) Airtight Containers: (products
 containing Yellowfin).
1604.14.1010..............................  Tuna, non-specific, in oil,
                                             in foil or other flexible
                                             airtight containers
                                             weighing with their
                                             contents not more than 6.8
                                             kg each
1604.14.1090..............................  Tuna, non-specific, in oil,
                                             in airtight containers,
                                             other
1604.14.2291..............................  Tuna, other than albacore,
                                             not in oil, in foil or
                                             other flexible airtight
                                             containers weighing with
                                             their contents not more
                                             than 6.8 kg each, under
                                             quota
1604.14.2299..............................  Tuna, other than albacore,
                                             not in oil, in airtight
                                             containers, under quota
1604.14.3091..............................  Tuna, other than albacore,
                                             not in oil, in foil or
                                             other flexible airtight
                                             containers weighing with
                                             their contents not more
                                             than 6.8 kg each, over
                                             quota
1604.14.3099..............................  Tuna, other than albacore,
                                             not in oil, in airtight
                                             containers, over quota
(C) Loins: (Yellowfin)....................
1604.14.4000..............................  Tuna, not in airtight
                                             containers, not in oil,
                                             weighing with their
                                             contents over 6.8 kg
1604.14.5000..............................  Tuna, not in airtight
                                             containers, other
(D) Other: (products containing Yellowfin)
0304.20.2066..............................  Other fish, fillets,
                                             skinned, in blocks weighing
                                             over 4.5 kg, frozen
0304.20.6096..............................  Other fish, fillets, frozen
1604.20.2500..............................  Balls and cakes, not in oil,
                                             in airtight containers,
                                             other
1604.20.3000..............................  Balls and cakes, other
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (ii) HTS numbers requiring a Fisheries Certificate of Origin, not 
subject to yellowfin tuna embargo. The following HTS numbers identify 
tuna or tuna products, (other than fresh tuna or yellowfin tuna 
identified in paragraph (f)(2)(i)) of this section, known to be imported 
into the United States. All shipments imported into the United States 
under these HTS numbers must be accompanied by an FCO.
(A) Frozen:...............................
0303.41.0000..............................  Albacore or longfinned
                                             tunas, frozen
0303.43.0000..............................  Skipjack, frozen
0303.44.0000..............................  Bigeye, frozen
0303.45.0000..............................  Bluefin, frozen
0303.46.0000..............................  Bluefin Southern, frozen
0303.49.0100..............................  Other tuna, frozen
(B) Airtight Containers: (Other than
 Yellowfin).
1604.14.1010..............................  Tuna, non-specific, in oil,
                                             in foil or other flexible
                                             airtight containers
                                             weighing with their
                                             contents not more than 6.8
                                             kg each
1604.14.1090..............................  Tuna, non-specific, in oil,
                                             in airtight containers,
                                             other
1604.14.2251..............................  Tuna, albacore, not in oil,
                                             in foil or other flexible
                                             airtight containers
                                             weighing with their
                                             contents not more than 6.8
                                             kg each, under quota
1604.14.2259..............................  Tuna, albacore, not in oil,
                                             in airtight containers,
                                             other, under quota
1604.14.2291..............................  Tuna, other than albacore,
                                             not in oil, in foil or
                                             other flexible airtight
                                             containers weighing with
                                             their contents not more
                                             than 6.8 kg each, under
                                             quota
1604.14.2299..............................  Tuna, other than albacore,
                                             not in oil, in airtight
                                             containers, other, under
                                             quota
1604.14.3051..............................  Tuna, albacore, not in oil,
                                             in foil or other flexible
                                             airtight containers
                                             weighing with their
                                             contents not more than 6.8
                                             kg each, over quota
1604.14.3059..............................  Tuna, albacore, not in oil,
                                             in airtight containers,
                                             other, over quota
1604.14.3091..............................  Tuna, other than albacore,
                                             not in oil, in foil or
                                             other flexible airtight
                                             containers weighing with
                                             their contents not more
                                             than 6.8 kg each, over
                                             quota
1604.14.3099..............................  Tuna, other than albacore,
                                             not in oil, in airtight
                                             containers, other, over
                                             quota
(C) Loins: (Other than Yellowfin).........
1604.14.4000..............................  Tuna, not in airtight
                                             containers, in bulk or in
                                             immediate containers
                                             weighing with their
                                             contents over 6.8 kg, in
                                             oil
1604.14.5000..............................  Tuna, not in airtight
                                             containers, other
(D) Other: (only if the product contains
 tuna).
0304.20.2066..............................  Other fish, fillets,
                                             skinned, in blocks weighing
                                             over 4.5 kg, frozen
0304.20.6096..............................  Other fish, fillets, frozen
1604.20.2500..............................  Balls and cakes, not in oil,
                                             in airtight containers,
                                             other
1604.20.3000..............................  Balls and cakes, other
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 31]]
    (iii) Exports from driftnet nations only: HTS numbers requiring a 
Fisheries Certificate of Origin and official certification. The 
following HTS numbers identify categories of fish and shellfish, in 
addition to those identified in paragraphs (f)(2)(i) and (f)(2)(ii) of 
this section, known to have been harvested using a large-scale driftnet 
and imported into the United States. Shipments exported from a large-
scale driftnet nation, as identified under paragraph (f)(7) of this 
section, and imported into the United States under any of the HTS 
numbers listed in paragraph (f)(2) of this section must be accompanied 
by an FCO and the official statement described in paragraph (f)(4)(xiii) 
of this section.
(A) Frozen:...............................
0303.19.0012..............................  Salmon, chinook, frozen
0303.19.0022..............................  Salmon, chum, frozen
0303.19.0032..............................  Salmon, pink, frozen
0303.19.0052..............................  Salmon, coho, frozen
0303.19.0062..............................  Salmon, Pacific, non-
                                             specific, frozen
0303.21.0000..............................  Trout, frozen
0303.22.0000..............................  Salmon, Atlantic and Danube,
                                             frozen
0303.29.0000..............................  Salmonidae, other, frozen
0303.75.0010..............................  Dogfish, frozen
0303.75.0090..............................  Other sharks, frozen
0303.79.2041..............................  Swordfish steaks, frozen
0303.79.2049..............................  Swordfish, other, frozen
0303.79.4097..............................  Fish, other, frozen
0304.20.2066..............................  Fish, fillet, skinned, in
                                             blocks, frozen over 4.5 kg
0304.20.6008..............................  Salmonidae, salmon fillet,
                                             frozen
0304.20.6092..............................  Swordfish fillets, frozen
0304.20.6096..............................  Fish, fillet, other, frozen
0307.49.0010..............................  Squid, other, fillet, frozen
(B) Canned:...............................
1604.11.2020..............................  Salmon, pink, canned in oil,
                                             in airtight containers
1604.11.2030..............................  Salmon, sockeye, canned in
                                             oil, in airtight containers
1604.11.2090..............................  Salmon, other, canned in
                                             oil, in airtight containers
1604.11.4010..............................  Salmon, chum, canned, not in
                                             oil
1604.11.4020..............................  Salmon, pink, canned, not in
                                             oil
1604.11.4030..............................  Salmon, sockeye, canned, not
                                             in oil
1604.11.4040..............................  Salmon, other, canned, not
                                             in oil
1604.11.4050..............................  Salmon, other, canned, not
                                             in oil
1604.19.2000..............................  Fish, other, in airtight
                                             containers, not in oil
1604.19.3000..............................  Fish, other, in airtight
                                             containers, in oil
1605.90.6050..............................  Squid, loligo, prepared/
                                             preserved
1605.90.6055..............................  Squid, other, prepared/
                                             preserved
(C) Other:................................
0305.30.6080..............................  Fish, other, fillet, dried/
                                             salted/brine
0305.49.4040..............................  Fish, other, smoked
0305.59.2000..............................  Shark fins, dried
0305.59.4000..............................  Fish, other, dried
0305.69.4000..............................  Salmon, other, salted (or in
                                             brine)
0305.69.5000..............................  Fish, other, salted (or in
                                             brine), in immediate
                                             containers, not over 6.8 kg
0305.69.6000..............................  Fish, other, salted (or in
                                             brine)
0307.49.0050..............................  Squid, other, frozen/dried/
                                             salted/brine
0307.49.0060..............................  Squid, other, & cuttle fish
                                             frozen/dried/salted/brine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (3) Disposition of Fisheries Certificates of Origin. The FCO 
described in paragraph (f)(4) of this section may be obtained from the 
Administrator, Southwest Region, or downloaded from the Internet at 
http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/noaa370.htm.
    (i) A properly completed FCO and its attached certificates, if 
applicable, must accompany the required U.S. Customs entry documents 
that are filed at the time of import.
    (ii) FCOs and associated certifications, if any, that accompany 
imported shipments of tuna must be submitted by the importer of record 
to the Tuna Tracking and Verification Program, Southwest Region, within 
30 days of the shipment's entry into the commerce of the United States. 
FCOs submitted via mail should be sent to Tuna Tracking and Verification 
Program, Southwest Region, P.O. Box 32469, Long Beach, CA 90832-2469. 
Copies of the documents may be submitted electronically using a secure 
file transfer protocol (FTP) site. Importers of record interested in 
submitting FCOs and associated certifications via FTP may contact a 
representative of the Tuna Tracking and Verification Program at the 
following email address: SWRTuna.Track@noaa.gov. The Tuna Tracking and 
Verification Program will facilitate secure transfer and protection of 
certifications by assigning a separate electronic folder for each 
importer. Access to the electronic folder will require a user 
identification and password. The Tuna Tracking and Verification Program 
will assign each importer a unique user identification and password. 
Safeguarding the confidentiality of the user identification and password 
is the responsibility of the importer to whom they are assigned. Copies 
of the documents may also be submitted via mail either on compact disc 
or as hard copies. All electronic submissions, whether via FTP or on 
compact disc, must be in either Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) or 
as an image file embedded in a Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, or 
Corel WordPerfect file.
    (iii) FCOs that accompany imported shipments of tuna destined for 
further processing in the United States must
[[Page 32]]
be endorsed at each change in ownership and submitted to the 
Administrator, Southwest Region, by the last endorser when all required 
endorsements are completed.
    (iv) Importers and exporters are required to retain their records, 
including FCOs, import or export documents, invoices, and bills of 
lading for 2 years, and such records must be made available within 30 
days of a request by the Secretary or the Administrator, Southwest 
Region.
    (4) Contents of Fisheries Certificate of Origin. An FCO, certified 
to be accurate by the exporter(s) of the accompanying shipment, must 
include the following information:
    (i) Customs entry identification;
    (ii) Date of entry;
    (iii) Exporter's full name and complete address;
    (iv) Importer's or consignee's full name and complete address;
    (v) Species description, product form, and HTS number;
    (vi) Total net weight of the shipment in kilograms;
    (vii) Ocean area where the fish were harvested (ETP, western Pacific 
Ocean, south Pacific Ocean, eastern Atlantic Ocean, western Atlantic 
Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean, or other);
    (viii) Type of fishing gear used to harvest the fish (purse seine, 
longline, baitboat, large-scale driftnet, gillnet, trawl, pole and line, 
or other);
    (ix) Country under whose laws the harvesting vessel operated based 
upon the flag of the vessel or, if a certified charter vessel, the 
country that accepted responsibility for the vessel's fishing 
operations;
    (x) Dates on which the fishing trip began and ended;
    (xi) The name of the harvesting vessel;
    (xii) Dolphin-safe condition of the shipment, described by checking 
the appropriate statement on the form and attaching additional 
certifications if required;
    (xiii) For shipments harvested by vessels of a nation known to use 
large-scale driftnets, as determined by the Secretary pursuant to 
paragraph (f)(7) of this section, the High Seas Driftnet Certification 
contained on the FCO must be dated and signed by a responsible 
government official of the harvesting nation, certifying that the fish 
or fish products were harvested by a method other than large-scale 
driftnet; and
    (xiv) Each additional importer, exporter, or processor who takes 
custody of the shipment must sign and date the form to certify that the 
form and attached documentation accurately describes the shipment of 
fish that they accompany.
    (5) Dolphin-safe label. Tuna or tuna products sold in or exported 
from the United States that include on the label the term ``dolphin-
safe'' or any other term or symbol that claims or suggests the tuna were 
harvested in a manner not injurious to dolphins are subject to the 
requirements of subpart H of this part (Sec. 216.90 et seq.).
    (6) Scope of embargoes--(i) ETP yellowfin tuna embargo. Yellowfin 
tuna or products of yellowfin tuna harvested using a purse seine in the 
ETP identified by an HTS number listed in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this 
section may not be imported into the United States if such tuna or tuna 
products were:
    (A) Harvested on or after March 3, 1999, the effective date of 
section 4 of the IDCPA, and harvested by, or exported from, a nation 
that the Assistant Administrator has determined has jurisdiction over 
purse seine vessels of greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity 
harvesting tuna in the ETP, unless the Assistant Administrator has made 
an affirmative finding required for importation for that nation under 
paragraph (f)(8) of this section;
    (B) Exported from an intermediary nation, as defined in Section 3 of 
the MMPA, and a ban is currently in force prohibiting the importation 
from that nation under paragraph (f)(9) of this section; or
    (C) Harvested before March 3, 1999, the effective date of Section 4 
of the IDCPA, and would have been banned from importation under Section 
101(a)(2) of the MMPA at the time of harvest.
    (ii) Driftnet embargo. A shipment containing fish or fish products 
identified by an HTS number listed in paragraph (f)(2) of this section 
may not be imported into the United States if it is harvested by a 
large-scale driftnet, or
[[Page 33]]
if it is exported from or harvested on the high seas by any nation 
determined by the Assistant Administrator to be engaged in large-scale 
driftnet fishing, unless a government official of the large-scale 
driftnet nation completes, signs and dates the High Seas Driftnet 
section of the FCO certifying that the fish or fish products were 
harvested by a method other than large-scale driftnet.
    (iii) Pelly certification. After 6 months of an embargo being in 
place against a nation under this section, the Secretary will certify 
that nation under section 8(a) of the Fishermen's Protective Act (22 
U.S.C. 1978(a)). When such an embargo is lifted, the Secretary will 
terminate the certification under Section 8(d) of that Act (22 U.S.C. 
1978(d)).
    (iv) Coordination. The Assistant Administrator will promptly advise 
the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security of 
embargo decisions, actions, and finding determinations.
    (7) Large-scale driftnet nation: determination. Based upon the best 
information available, the Assistant Administrator will determine which 
nations have registered vessels that engage in fishing using large-scale 
driftnets. Such determinations will be published in the Federal 
Register. A responsible government official of any such nation may 
certify to the Assistant Administrator that none of the nation's vessels 
use large-scale driftnets. Upon receipt of the certification, the 
Assistant Administrator may find, and publish such finding in the 
Federal Register, that none of that nation's vessels engage in fishing 
with large-scale driftnets.
    (8) Affirmative finding procedure for nations harvesting yellowfin 
tuna using a purse seine in the ETP. (i) The Assistant Administrator 
will determine, on an annual basis, whether to make an affirmative 
finding based upon documentary evidence provided by the government of 
the harvesting nation or by the IDCP and the IATTC, and will publish the 
finding in the Federal Register. A finding will remain valid for 1 year 
or for such other period as the Assistant Administrator may determine. 
An affirmative finding will be terminated if the Assistant Administrator 
determines that the requirements of this paragraph are no longer being 
met. Every 5 years, the government of the harvesting nation must submit 
such documentary evidence directly to the Assistant Administrator and 
request an affirmative finding. Documentary evidence must be submitted 
by the harvesting nation for the first affirmative finding application. 
The Assistant Administrator may require the submission of supporting 
documentation or other verification of statements made in connection 
with requests to allow importations. An affirmative finding applies to 
yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products that were harvested by 
vessels of the nation after March 3, 1999. To make an affirmative 
finding, the Assistant Administrator must find that:
    (A) The harvesting nation participates in the IDCP and is either a 
member of the IATTC or has initiated (and within 6 months thereafter 
completed) all steps required of applicant nations, in accordance with 
article V, paragraph 3, of the Convention establishing the IATTC, to 
become a member of that organization;
    (B) The nation is meeting its obligations under the IDCP and its 
obligations of membership in the IATTC, including all financial 
obligations;
    (C)(1) The annual total dolphin mortality of the nation's purse 
seine fleet (including certified charter vessels operating under its 
jurisdiction) did not exceed the aggregated total of the mortality 
limits assigned by the IDCP for that nation's purse seine vessels for 
the year preceding the year in which the finding would start; or
    (2)(i) Because of extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of 
the nation and the vessel captains, the total dolphin mortality of the 
nation's purse seine fleet (including certified charter vessels 
operating under its jurisdiction) exceeded the aggregated total of the 
mortality limits assigned by the IDCP for that nation's purse seine 
vessels; and
    (ii) Immediately after the national authorities discovered the 
aggregate mortality of its fleet had been exceeded, the nation required 
all its vessels to cease fishing for tuna in association
[[Page 34]]
with dolphins for the remainder of the calendar year; and
    (D)(1) In any years in which the parties agree to a global 
allocation system for per-stock per-year individual stock quotas, the 
nation responded to the notification from the IATTC that an individual 
stock quota had been reached by prohibiting any additional sets on the 
stock for which the quota had been reached;
    (2) If a per-stock per-year quota is allocated to each nation, the 
annual per-stock per-year dolphin mortality of the nation's purse seine 
fleet (including certified charter vessels operating under its 
jurisdiction) did not exceed the aggregated total of the per-stock per-
year limits assigned by the IDCP for that nation's purse seine vessels 
(if any) for the year preceding the year in which the finding would 
start; or
    (3)(i) Because of extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of 
the nation and the vessel captains, the per-stock per-year dolphin 
mortality of the nation's purse seine fleet (including certified charter 
vessels operating under its jurisdiction) exceeded the aggregated total 
of the per-stock per-year limits assigned by the IDCP for that nation's 
purse seine vessels; and
    (ii) Immediately after the national authorities discovered the 
aggregate per-stock mortality limits of its fleet had been exceeded, the 
nation required all its vessels to cease fishing for tuna in association 
with the stocks whose limits had been exceeded, for the remainder of the 
calendar year.
    (iii) Documentary Evidence and Compliance with the IDCP--(A) 
Documentary Evidence. The Assistant Administrator will make an 
affirmative finding under paragraph (f)(8)(i) of this section only if 
the government of the harvesting nation provides directly to the 
Assistant Administrator, or authorizes the IATTC to release to the 
Assistant Administrator, complete, accurate, and timely information that 
enables the Assistant Administrator to determine whether the harvesting 
nation is meeting the obligations of the IDCP, and whether ETP-harvested 
tuna imported from such nation comports with the tracking and 
verification regulations of subpart H of this part.
    (B) Revocation. After considering the information provided under 
paragraph (f)(8)(ii)(A) of this section, each party's financial 
obligations to the IATTC, and any other relevant information, including 
information that a nation is consistently failing to take enforcement 
actions on violations that diminish the effectiveness of the IDCP, the 
Assistant Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of State, 
will revoke an affirmative finding issued to a nation that is not 
meeting the obligations of the IDCP.
    (iv) A harvesting nation may apply for an affirmative finding at any 
time by providing to the Assistant Administrator the information and 
authorizations required in paragraphs (f)(8)(i) and (f)(8)(ii) of this 
section, allowing at least 60 days from the submission of complete 
information to NMFS for processing.
    (v) The Assistant Administrator will make or renew an affirmative 
finding for the period from April 1 through March 31 of the following 
year, or portion thereof, if the harvesting nation has provided all the 
information and authorizations required by paragraphs (f)(8)(i) and 
(f)(8)(ii) of this section, and has met the requirements of paragraphs 
(f)(8)(i) and (f)(8)(ii) of this section.
    (vi) Reconsideration of finding. The Assistant Administrator may 
reconsider a finding upon a request from, and the submission of 
additional information by, the harvesting nation, if the information 
indicates that the nation has met the requirements under paragraphs 
(f)(8)(i) and (f)(8)(ii) of this section.
    (9) Intermediary nation. Except as authorized under this paragraph, 
no yellowfin tuna or yellowfin tuna products harvested by purse seine in 
the ETP classified under one of the HTS numbers listed in paragraph 
(f)(2)(i) of this section may be imported into the United States from 
any intermediary nation.
    (i) An ``intermediary nation'' is a nation that exports yellowfin 
tuna or yellowfin tuna products to the United States and that imports 
yellowfin tuna or yellowfin tuna products that are subject to a direct 
ban on importation
[[Page 35]]
into the United States pursuant to Section 101(a)(2)(B) of the MMPA.
    (ii) Shipments of yellowfin tuna that pass through any nation (e.g. 
on a 'through Bill of Lading') and are not entered for consumption in 
that nation are not considered to be imports to that nation and thus, 
would not cause that nation to be considered an intermediary nation 
under the MMPA.
    (iii) The Assistant Administrator will publish in the Federal 
Register a notice announcing when NMFS has determined, based on the best 
information available, that a nation is an ``intermediary nation.'' 
After the effective date of that notice, the import restrictions of this 
paragraph shall apply.
    (iv) Changing the status of intermediary nation determinations. 
Imports from an intermediary nation of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna 
products classified under any of the HTS numbers in paragraph (f)(2)(i) 
of this section may be imported into the United States only if the 
Assistant Administrator determines, and publishes a notice of such 
determination in the Federal Register, that the intermediary nation has 
provided certification and reasonable proof that it has not imported in 
the preceding 6 months yellowfin tuna or yellowfin tuna products that 
are subject to a ban on direct importation into the United States under 
Section 101(a)(2)(B) of the MMPA. At that time, the nation shall no 
longer be considered an ``intermediary nation'' and these import 
restrictions shall no longer apply.
    (v) The Assistant Administrator will review decisions under this 
paragraph upon the request of an intermediary nation. Such requests must 
be accompanied by specific and detailed supporting information or 
documentation indicating that a review or reconsideration is warranted. 
For purposes of this paragraph, the term ``certification and reasonable 
proof'' means the submission to the Assistant Administrator by a 
responsible government official from the nation of a document reflecting 
the nation's customs records for the preceding 6 months, together with a 
certification attesting that the document is accurate.
    (10) Fish refused entry. If fish is denied entry under paragraph 
(f)(2) of this section, the Port Director of Customs shall refuse to 
release the fish for entry into the United States.
    (11) Disposition of fish refused entry into the United States. Fish 
that is denied entry under paragraph (f)(2) of this section and that is 
not exported under Customs supervision within 90 days shall be disposed 
of under Customs laws and regulations at the importer's expense. 
Provided, however, that any disposition shall not result in an 
introduction into the United States of fish caught in violation of the 
MMPA.
    (12) Market Prohibitions. (i) It is unlawful for any person to sell, 
purchase, offer for sale, transport, or ship in the United States, any 
tuna or tuna products unless the tuna products are either:
    (A) Dolphin-safe under subpart H of this part; or
    (B) Harvested in compliance with the IDCP by vessels under the 
jurisdiction of a nation that is a member of the IATTC or has initiated, 
and within 6 months thereafter completes, all steps required by an 
applicant nation to become a member of the IATTC.
    (ii) It is unlawful for any exporter, transshipper, importer, 
processor, or wholesaler/distributor to possess, sell, purchase, offer 
for sale, transport, or ship in the United States, any tuna or tuna 
products bearing a label or mark that refers to dolphins, porpoises, or 
marine mammals unless the label or mark complies with the requirements 
of 16 U.S.C. 1385(d).
    (g) Penalties. Any person or vessel subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States will be subject to the penalties provided for under 
the MMPA for the conduct of fishing operations in violation of these 
regulations. Penalties for violating these regulations may include, but 
are not limited to, civil monetary fines, permit suspension or 
revocation, and reductions in current and future DMLs. Recommended 
sanctions are identified in the IDCPA/DPCIA Tuna/Dolphin Civil 
Administrative Penalty Schedule. Procedures for the imposition of 
penalties under the MMPA are found at 15 CFR part 904.
[69 FR 55297, Sept. 13, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 19008, Apr. 12, 2005]
[[Page 36]]
Sec. 216.25  Exempted marine mammals and marine mammal products.
    (a) The provisions of the MMPA and these regulations shall not 
apply:
    (1) To any marine mammal taken before December 21, 1972 \1\, or
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ In the context of captive maintenance of marine mammals, the 
only marine mammals exempted under this section are those that were 
actually captured or otherwise in captivity before December 21, 1972.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (2) To any marine mammal product if the marine mammal portion of 
such product consists solely of a marine mammal taken before such date.
    (b) The prohibitions contained in Sec. 216.12(c) (3) and (4) shall 
not apply to marine mammals or marine mammal products imported into the 
United States before the date on which a notice is published in the 
Federal Register with respect to the designation of the species or stock 
concerned as depleted or endangered.
    (c) Section 216.12(b) shall not apply to articles imported into the 
United States before the effective date of the foreign law making the 
taking or sale, as the case may be, of such marine mammals or marine 
mammal products unlawful.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 56 FR 43888, Sept. 5, 1991; 59 
FR 50376, Oct. 3, 1994]
Sec. 216.26  Collection of certain marine mammal parts without prior 
          authorization.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of this subpart:
    (a) Any bones, teeth or ivory of any dead marine mammal may be 
collected from a beach or from land within\1/4\ of a mile of the ocean. 
The term ocean includes bays and estuaries.
    (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subpart D, soft parts that are 
sloughed, excreted, or discharged naturally by a living marine mammal in 
the wild may be collected or imported for bona fide scientific research 
and enhancement, provided that collection does not involve the taking of 
a living marine mammal in the wild.
    (c) Any marine mammal part collected under paragraph (a) of this 
section or any marine mammal part collected and imported under paragraph 
(b) of this section must be registered and identified, and may be 
transferred or otherwise possessed, in accordance with Sec. 216.22(c). 
In registering a marine mammal part collected or imported under 
paragraph (b) of this section, the person who collected or imported the 
part must also state the scientific research or enhancement purpose for 
which the part was collected or imported.
    (d) No person may purchase, sell or trade for commercial purposes 
any marine mammal part collected or imported under this section.
    (e) The export of parts collected without prior authorization under 
paragraph (b) of this section may occur if consistent with the 
provisions at Sec. 216.37(d) under subpart D.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974, as amended at 59 FR 50376, Oct. 3, 1994; 61 
FR 21933, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.27  Release, non-releasability, and disposition under special 
          exception permits for rehabilitated marine mammals.
    (a) Release requirements. (1) Any marine mammal held for 
rehabilitation must be released within six months of capture or import 
unless the attending veterinarian determines that:
    (i) The marine mammal might adversely affect marine mammals in the 
wild;
    (ii) Release of the marine mammal to the wild will not likely be 
successful given the physical condition and behavior of the marine 
mammal; or
    (iii) More time is needed to determine whether the release of the 
marine mammal to the wild will likely be successful. Releasability must 
be reevaluated at intervals of no less than six months until 24 months 
from capture or import, at which time there will be a rebuttable 
presumption that release into the wild is not feasible.
    (2) The custodian of the rehabilitated marine mammal shall provide 
written notification prior to any release into the wild.
    (i) Notification shall be provided to:
    (A) The NMFS Regional Director at least 15 days in advance of 
releasing any beached or stranded marine mammal, unless advance notice 
is waived in writing by the Regional Director; or
[[Page 37]]
    (B) The Office Director at least 30 days in advance of releasing any 
imported marine mammal.
    (ii) Notification shall include the following:
    (A) A description of the marine mammal, including its physical 
condition and estimated age;
    (B) The date and location of release; and
    (C) The method and duration of transport prior to release.
    (3) The Regional Director, or the Office Director as appropriate, 
may:
    (i) Require additional information prior to any release;
    (ii) Change the date or location of release, or the method or 
duration of transport prior to release;
    (iii) Impose additional conditions to improve the likelihood of 
success or to monitor the success of the release; or
    (iv) Require other disposition of the marine mammal.
    (4) All marine mammals must be released near wild populations of the 
same species, and stock if known, unless a waiver is granted by the 
Regional Director or the Office Director.
    (5) All marine mammals released must be tagged or marked in a manner 
acceptable to the Regional Director or the Office Director. The tag 
number or description of the marking must be reported to the Regional 
Director or Office Director following release.
    (b) Non-releasability and postponed determinations. (1) The 
attending veterinarian shall provide the Regional Director or Office 
Director with a written report setting forth the basis of any 
determination under paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section.
    (2) Upon receipt of a report under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, 
the Regional Director or Office Director, in their sole discretion, may:
    (i) Order the release of the marine mammal;
    (ii) Order continued rehabilitation for an additional 6 months; or
    (iii) Order other disposition as authorized.
    (3) No later than 30 days after a marine mammal is determined 
unreleasable in accordance with paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (iii) of 
this section, the person with authorized custody must:
    (i) Request authorization to retain or transfer custody of the 
marine mammal in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section, or;
    (ii) Humanely euthanize the marine mammal or arrange any other 
disposition of the marine mammal authorized by the Regional Director or 
Office Director.
    (4) Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this section, the 
Office Director may require use of a rehabilitated marine mammal for any 
activity authorized under subpart D in lieu of animals taken from the 
wild.
    (5) Any rehabilitated beached or stranded marine mammal placed on 
public display following a non-releasability determination under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section and pending disposition under paragraph 
(c) of this section, or any marine mammal imported for medical treatment 
otherwise unavailable and placed on public display pending disposition 
after such medical treatment is concluded, must be held in captive 
maintenance consistent with all requirements for public display.
    (c) Disposition for a special exception purpose. (1) Upon receipt of 
an authorization request made under paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section, 
or release notification under (a)(2), the Office Director may authorize 
the retention or transfer of custody of the marine mammal for a special 
exception purpose authorized under subpart D.
    (2) The Office Director will first consider requests from a person 
authorized to hold the marine mammal for rehabilitation. The Office 
Director may authorize such person to retain or transfer custody of the 
marine mammal for scientific research, enhancement, or public display 
purposes.
    (3) The Office Director may authorize retention or transfer of 
custody of the marine mammal only if:
    (i) Documentation has been submitted to the Office Director that the 
person retaining the subject animal or the person receiving custody of 
the subject animal by transfer, hereinafter referred to as the 
recipient, complies with public display requirements of 16 U.S.C. 
1374(c)(2)(A) or, for purposes of scientific research and enhancement,
[[Page 38]]
holds an applicable permit, or an application for such a special 
exception permit under Sec. 216.33 or a request for a major amendment 
under Sec. 216.39 has been submitted to the Office Director and has 
been found complete;
    (ii) The recipient agrees to hold the marine mammal in conformance 
with all applicable requirements and standards; and
    (iii) The recipient acknowledges that the marine mammal is subject 
to seizure by the Office Director:
    (A) If, at any time pending issuance of the major amendment or 
permit, the Office Director determines that seizure is necessary in the 
interest of the health or welfare of the marine mammal;
    (B) If the major amendment or permit is denied; or
    (C) If the recipient is issued a notice of violation and assessment, 
or is subject to permit sanctions, in accordance with 15 CFR part 904.
    (4) There shall be no remuneration associated with any transfer, 
provided that, the transferee may reimburse the transferor for any and 
all costs associated with the rehabilitation and transport of the marine 
mammal.
    (5) Marine mammals undergoing rehabilitation or pending disposition 
under this section shall not be subject to public display, unless such 
activities are specifically authorized by the Regional Director or the 
Office Director, and conducted consistent with the requirements 
applicable to public display. Such marine mammals shall not be trained 
for performance or be included in any aspect of a program involving 
interaction with the public; and
    (6) Marine mammals undergoing rehabilitation shall not be subject to 
intrusive research, unless such activities are specifically authorized 
by the Office Director in consultation with the Marine Mammal Commission 
and its Committee of Scientific Advisors on Marine Mammals, and are 
conducted pursuant to a scientific research permit.
    (d) Reporting. In addition to the report required under Sec. 
216.22(b), the person authorized to hold marine mammals for 
rehabilitation must submit reports to the Regional Director or Office 
Director regarding release or other disposition. These reports must be 
provided in the form and frequency specified by the Regional Director or 
Office Director.
[61 FR 21933, May 10, 1996]
                      Subpart D_Special Exceptions
Sec. 216.30  [Reserved]
Sec. 216.31  Definitions.
    For the purpose of this subpart, the definitions set forth in 50 CFR 
part 217 shall apply to all threatened and endangered marine mammals, 
unless a more restrictive definition exists under the MMPA or part 216.
[61 FR 21935, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.32  Scope.
    The regulations of this subpart apply to:
    (a) All marine mammals and marine mammal parts taken or born in 
captivity after December 20, 1972; and
    (b) All marine mammals and marine mammal parts that are listed as 
threatened or endangered under the ESA.
[61 FR 21935, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.33  Permit application submission, review, and decision 
          procedures.
    (a) Application submission. Persons seeking a special exemption 
permit under this subpart must submit an application to the Office 
Director. The application must be signed by the applicant, and provide 
in a properly formatted manner all information necessary to process the 
application. Written instructions addressing information requirements 
and formatting may be obtained from the Office Director upon request.
    (b) Applications to export living marine mammals. For applicants 
seeking a special exception permit to export living marine mammals, the 
application must:
    (1) Be submitted through the Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Fauna and Flora management authority of the foreign 
government or, if different, the appropriate agency or agencies of the 
foreign government
[[Page 39]]
that exercises oversight over marine mammals.
    (2) Include a certification from the foreign government that:
    (i) The information set forth in the application is accurate;
    (ii) The laws and regulations of the foreign governmentinvolved 
allow enforcement of the terms and conditions of the permit, and that 
the foreign government will enforce all terms and conditions; and
    (iii) The foreign government involved will afford comity to any 
permit amendment, modification, suspension or revocation decision.
    (c) Initial review. (1) NMFS will notify the applicant of receipt of 
the application.
    (2) During the initial review, the Office Director will determine:
    (i) Whether the application is complete.
    (ii) Whether the proposed activity is for purposes authorized under 
this subpart.
    (iii) If the proposed activity is for enhancement purposes, whether 
the species or stock identified in the application is in need of 
enhancement for its survival or recovery and whether the proposed 
activity will likely succeed in its objectives.
    (iv) Whether the activities proposed are to be conducted consistent 
with the permit restrictions and permit specific conditions as described 
in Sec. 216.35 and Sec. 216.36(a).
    (v) Whether sufficient information is included regarding the 
environmental impact of the proposed activity to enable the Office 
Director:
    (A) To make an initial determination under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as to whether the proposed activity is 
categorically excluded from preparation of further environmental 
documentation, or whether the preparation of an environmental assessment 
(EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) is appropriate or 
necessary; and
    (B) To prepare an EA or EIS if an initial determination is made by 
the Office Director that the activity proposed is not categorically 
excluded from such requirements.
    (3) The Office Director may consult with the Marine Mammal 
Commission (Commission) and its Committee of Scientific Advisors on 
Marine Mammals (Committee) in making these initial, and any subsequent, 
determinations.
    (4) Incomplete applications will be returned with explanation. If 
the applicant fails to resubmit a complete application or correct the 
identified deficiencies within 60 days, the application will be deemed 
withdrawn. Applications that propose activities inconsistent with this 
subpart will be returned with explanation, and will not be considered 
further.
    (d) Notice of receipt and application review. (1) Upon receipt of a 
valid, complete application, and the preparation of any NEPA 
documentation that has been determined initially to be required, the 
Office Director will publish a notice of receipt in the Federal 
Register. The notice will:
    (i) Summarize the application, including:
    (A) The purpose of the request;
    (B) The species and number of marine mammals;
    (C) The type and manner of special exception activity proposed;
    (D) The location(s) in which the marine mammals will be taken, from 
which they will be imported, or to which they will be exported; and
    (E) The requested period of the permit.
    (ii) List where the application is available for review.
    (iii) Invite interested parties to submit written comments 
concerning the application within 30 days of the date of the notice.
    (iv) Include a NEPA statement that an initial determination has been 
made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the 
requirement to prepare an EA or EIS, that an EA was prepared resulting 
in a finding of no significant impact, or that a final EIS has been 
prepared and is available for review.
    (2) The Office Director will forward a copy of the complete 
application to the Commission for comment. If no comments are received 
within 45 days (or such longer time as the Office Director may 
establish) the Office Director will consider the Commission to have no 
objection to issuing a permit.
[[Page 40]]
    (3) The Office Director may consult with any other person, 
institution, or agency concerning the application.
    (4) Within 30 days of publication of the notice of receipt in the 
Federal Register, any interested party may submit written comments or 
may request a public hearing on the application.
    (5) If the Office Director deems it advisable, the Office Director 
may hold a public hearing within 60 days of publication of the notice of 
receipt in the Federal Register. Notice of the date, time, and place of 
the public hearing will be published in the Federal Register not less 
than 15 days in advance of the public hearing. Any interested person may 
appear in person or through representatives and may submit any relevant 
material, data, views, or comments. A summary record of the hearing will 
be kept.
    (6) The Office Director may extend the period during which any 
interested party may submit written comments. Notice of the extension 
must be published in the Federal Register within 60 days of publication 
of the notice of receipt in the Federal Register.
    (7) If, after publishing a notice of receipt, the Office Director 
determines on the basis of new information that an EA or EIS must be 
prepared, the Office Director must deny the permit unless an EA is 
prepared with a finding of no significant impact. If a permit is denied 
under these circumstances the application may be resubmitted with 
information sufficient to prepare an EA or EIS, and will be processed as 
a new application.
    (e) Issuance or denial procedures. (1) Within 30 days of the close 
of the public hearing or, if no public hearing is held, within 30 days 
of the close of the public comment period, the Office Director will 
issue or deny a special exception permit.
    (2) The decision to issue or deny a permit will be based upon:
    (i) All relevant issuance criteria set forth at Sec. 216.34;
    (ii) All purpose-specific issuance criteria as appropriate set forth 
at Sec. 216.41, Sec. 216.42, and Sec. 216.43;
    (iii) All comments received or views solicited on the permit 
application; and
    (iv) Any other information or data that the Office Director deems 
relevant.
    (3) If the permit is issued, upon receipt, the holder must date and 
sign the permit, and return a copy of the original to the Office 
Director. The permit shall be effective upon the permit holder's signing 
of the permit. In signing the permit, the holder:
    (i) Agrees to abide by all terms and conditions set forth in the 
permit, and all restrictions and relevant regulations under this 
subpart; and
    (ii) Acknowledges that the authority to conduct certain activities 
specified in the permit is conditional and subject to authorization by 
the Office Director.
    (4) Notice of the decision of the Office Director shall be published 
in the Federal Register within 10 days after the date of permit issuance 
or denial and shall indicate where copies of the permit, if issued, may 
be reviewed or obtained. If the permit issued involves marine mammals 
listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA, the notice shall 
include a finding by the Office Director that the permit:
    (i) Was applied for in good faith;
    (ii) If exercised, will not operate to the disadvantage of such 
endangered or threatened species; and
    (iii) Is consistent with the purposes and policy set forth in 
section 2 of the ESA.
    (5) If the permit is denied, the Office Director shall provide the 
applicant with an explanation for the denial.
    (6) Under the MMPA, the Office Director may issue a permit for 
scientific research before the end of the public comment period if 
delaying issuance could result in injury to a species, stock, or 
individual, or in loss of unique research opportunities. The Office 
Director also may waive the 30-day comment period required under the ESA 
in an emergency situation where the health or life of an endangered or 
threatened marine mammal is threatened and no reasonable alternative is 
available. If a permit is issued under these circumstances, notice of 
such issuance before the end of the comment period shall be published in 
the Federal Register within 10 days of issuance.
[[Page 41]]
    (7) The applicant or any party opposed to a permit may seek judicial 
review of the terms and conditions of such permit or of a decision to 
deny such permit. Review may be obtained by filing a petition for review 
with the appropriate U.S. District Court as provided for by law.
[61 FR 21935, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.34  Issuance criteria.
    (a) For the Office Director to issue any permit under this subpart, 
the applicant must demonstrate that:
    (1) The proposed activity is humane and does not present any 
unnecessary risks to the health and welfare of marine mammals;
    (2) The proposed activity is consistent with all restrictions set 
forth at Sec. 216.35 and any purpose-specific restrictions as 
appropriate set forth at Sec. 216.41, Sec. 216.42, and Sec. 216.43;
    (3) The proposed activity, if it involves endangered or threatened 
marine mammals, will be conducted consistent with the purposes and 
policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA;
    (4) The proposed activity by itself or in combination with other 
activities, will not likely have a significant adverse impact on the 
species or stock;
    (5) Whether the applicant's expertise, facilities, and resources are 
adequate to accomplish successfully the objectives and activities stated 
in the application;
    (6) If a live animal will be held captive or transported, the 
applicant's qualifications, facilities, and resources are adequate for 
the proper care and maintenance of the marine mammal; and
    (7) Any requested import or export will not likely result in the 
taking of marine mammals or marine mammal parts beyond those authorized 
by the permit.
    (b) The opinions or views of scientists or other persons or 
organizations knowledgeable of the marine mammals that are the subject 
of the application or of other matters germane to the application will 
be considered.
[61 FR 21936, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.35  Permit restrictions.
    The following restrictions shall apply to all permits issued under 
this subpart:
    (a) The taking, importation, export, or other permitted activity 
involving marine mammals and marine mammal parts shall comply with the 
regulations of this subpart.
    (b) The maximum period of any special exception permit issued, or 
any major amendment granted, is five years from the effective date of 
the permit or major amendment. In accordance with the provisions of 
Sec. 216.39, the period of a permit may be extended by a minor 
amendment up to 12 months beyond that established in the original 
permit.
    (c) Except as provided for in Sec. 216.41(c)(1)(v), marine mammals 
or marine mammal parts imported under the authority of a permit must be 
taken or imported in a humane manner, and in compliance with the Acts 
and any applicable foreign law. Importation of marine mammals and marine 
mammal parts is subject to the provisions of 50 CFR part 14.
    (d) The permit holder shall not take from the wild any marine mammal 
which at the time of taking is either unweaned or less than eight months 
old, or is a part of a mother-calf/pup pair, unless such take is 
specifically authorized in the conditions of the special exception 
permit. Additionally, the permit holder shall not import any marine 
mammal that is pregnant or lactating at the time of taking or import, or 
is unweaned or less than eight months old unless such import is 
specifically authorized in the conditions of the special exception 
permit.
    (e) Captive marine mammals shall not be released into the wild 
unless specifically authorized by the Office Director under a scientific 
research or enhancement permit.
    (f) The permit holder is responsible for all activities of any 
individual who is operating under the authority of the permit;
    (g) Individuals conducting activities authorized under the permit 
must possess qualifications commensurate with their duties and 
responsibilities, or must be under the direct supervision of a person 
with such qualifications;
[[Page 42]]
    (h) Persons who require state or Federal licenses to conduct 
activities authorized under the permit must be duly licensed when 
undertaking such activities;
    (i) Special exception permits are not transferable or assignable to 
any other person, and a permit holder may not require any direct or 
indirect compensation from another person in return for requesting 
authorization for such person to conduct the taking, import, or export 
activities authorized under the subject permit;
    (j) The permit holder or designated agent shall possess a copy of 
the permit when engaged in a permitted activity, when the marine mammal 
is in transit incidental to such activity, and whenever marine mammals 
or marine mammal parts are in the possession of the permit holder or 
agent. A copy of the permit shall be affixed to any container, package, 
enclosure, or other means of containment, in which the marine mammals or 
marine mammal parts are placed for purposes of transit, supervision, or 
care. For marine mammals held captive and marine mammal parts in 
storage, a copy of the permit shall be kept on file in the holding or 
storage facility.
[61 FR 21936, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.36  Permit conditions.
    (a) Specific conditions. (1) Permits issued under this subpart shall 
contain specific terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Office 
Director, including, but not limited to:
    (i) The number and species of marine mammals that are authorized to 
be taken, imported, exported, or otherwise affected;
    (ii) The manner in which marine mammals may be taken according to 
type of take;
    (iii) The location(s) in which the marine mammals may be taken, from 
which they may be imported, or to which they may be exported, as 
applicable, and, for endangered or threatened marine mammal species to 
be imported or exported, the port of entry or export;
    (iv) The period during which the permit is valid.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (b) Other conditions. In addition to the specific conditions imposed 
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, the Office Director shall 
specify any other permit conditions deemed appropriate.
[61 FR 21937, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.37  Marine mammal parts.
    With respect to marine mammal parts acquired by take or import 
authorized under a permit issued under this subpart:
    (a) Marine mammal parts are transferrable if:
    (1) The person transferring the part receives no remuneration of any 
kind for the marine mammal part;
    (2) The person receiving the marine mammal part is:
    (i) An employee of NMFS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or any 
other governmental agency with conservation and management 
responsibilities, who receives the part in the course of their official 
duties;
    (ii) A holder of a special exception permit which authorizes the 
take, import, or other activity involving the possession of a marine 
mammal part of the same species as the subject part; or
    (iii) In the case of marine mammal parts from a species that is not 
depleted, endangered or threatened, a person who is authorized under 
section 112(c) of the MMPA and subpart C of this part to take or import 
marine mammals or marine mammal parts;
    (iv) Any other person specifically authorized by the Regional 
Director, consistent with the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and 
(a)(3) through (6) of this section.
    (3) The marine mammal part is transferred for the purpose of 
scientific research, maintenance in a properly curated, professionally 
accredited scientific collection, or education, provided that, for 
transfers for educational purposes, the recipient is a museum, 
educational institution or equivalent that will ensure that the part is 
available to the public as part of an educational program;
    (4) A unique number assigned by the permit holder is marked on or 
affixed to the marine mammal part or container;
[[Page 43]]
    (5) The person receiving the marine mammal part agrees that, as a 
condition of receipt, subsequent transfers may only occur subject to the 
provisions of paragraph (a) of this section; and
    (6) Within 30 days after the transfer, the person transferring the 
marine mammal part notifies the Regional Director of the transfer, 
including a description of the part, the person to whom the part was 
transferred, the purpose of the transfer, certification that the 
recipient has agreed to comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of 
this section for subsequent transfers, and, if applicable, the 
recipient's permit number.
    (b) Marine mammal parts may be loaned to another person for a 
purpose described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section and without the 
agreement and notification required under paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of 
this section, if:
    (1) A record of the loan is maintained; and
    (2) The loan is for not more than one year. Loans for a period 
greater than 12 months, including loan extensions or renewals, require 
notification of the Regional Director under paragraph (a)(6).
    (c) Unless other disposition is specified in the permit, a holder of 
a special exception permit may retain marine mammal parts not destroyed 
or otherwise disposed of during or after a scientific research or 
enhancement activity, if such marine mammal parts are:
    (1) Maintained as part of a properly curated, professionally 
accredited collection; or
    (2) Made available for purposes of scientific research or 
enhancement at the request of the Office Director.
    (d) Marine mammal parts may be exported and subsequently reimported 
by a permit holder or subsequent authorized recipient, for the purpose 
of scientific research, maintenance in a properly curated, 
professionally accredited scientific collection, or education, provided 
that:
    (1) The permit holder or other person receives no remuneration for 
the marine mammal part;
    (2) A unique number assigned by the permit holder is marked on or 
affixed to the marine mammal specimen or container;
    (3) The marine mammal part is exported or reimported in compliance 
with all applicable domestic and foreign laws;
    (4) If exported or reimported for educational purposes, the 
recipient is a museum, educational institution, or equivalent that will 
ensure that the part is available to the public as part of an 
educational program; and
    (5) Special reports are submitted within 30 days after both export 
and reimport as required by the Office Director under Sec. 216.38.
[61 FR 21937, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.38  Reporting.
    All permit holders must submit annual, final, and special reports in 
accordance with the requirements established in the permit, and any 
reporting format established by the Office Director.
[61 FR 21937, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.39  Permit amendments.
    (a) General. Special exception permits may be amended by the Office 
Director. Major and minor amendments may be made to permits in response 
to, or independent of, a request from the permit holder. Amendments must 
be consistent with the Acts and comply with the applicable provisions of 
this subpart.
    (1) A major amendment means any change to the permit specific 
conditions under Sec. 216.36(a) regarding:
    (i) The number and species of marine mammals that are authorized to 
be taken, imported, exported, or otherwise affected;
    (ii) The manner in which these marine mammals may be taken, 
imported, exported, or otherwise affected, if the proposed change may 
result in an increased level of take or risk of adverse impact;
    (iii) The location(s) in which the marine mammals may be taken, from 
which they may be imported, and to which they may be exported, as 
applicable; and
    (iv) The duration of the permit, if the proposed extension would 
extend the duration of the permit more than 12
[[Page 44]]
months beyond that established in the original permit.
    (2) A minor amendment means any amendment that does not constitute a 
major amendment.
    (b) Amendment requests and proposals. (1) Requests by a permit 
holder for an amendment must be submitted in writing and include the 
following:
    (i) The purpose and nature of the amendment;
    (ii) Information, not previously submitted as part of the permit 
application or subsequent reports, necessary to determine whether the 
amendment satisfies all issuance criteria set forth at Sec. 216.34, 
and, as appropriate, Sec. 216.41, Sec. 216.42, and Sec. 216.43.
    (iii) Any additional information required by the Office Director for 
purposes of reviewing the proposed amendment.
    (2) If an amendment is proposed by the Office Director, the permit 
holder will be notified of the proposed amendment, together with an 
explanation.
    (c) Review of proposed amendments. (1) Major amendments. The 
provisions of Sec. 216.33(d) and (e) governing notice of receipt, 
review and decision shall apply to all proposed major amendments.
    (2) Minor amendments. (i) After reviewing all appropriate 
information, the Office Director will provide the permit holder with 
written notice of the decision on a proposed or requested amendment, 
together with an explanation for the decision.
    (ii) If the minor amendment extends the duration of the permit 12 
months or less from that established in the original permit, notice of 
the minor amendment will be published in the Federal Register within 10 
days from the date of the Office Director's decision.
    (iii) A minor amendment will be effective upon a final decision by 
the Office Director.
[61 FR 21937, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.40  Penalties and permit sanctions.
    (a) Any person who violates any provision of this subpart or permit 
issued thereunder is subject to civil and criminal penalties, permit 
sanctions and forfeiture as authorized under the Acts, and 15 CFR part 
904.
    (b) All special exception permits are subject to suspension, 
revocation, modification and denial in accordance with the provisions of 
subpart D of 15 CFR part 904.
[61 FR 21938, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.41  Permits for scientific research and enhancement.
    In addition to the requirements under Sec. Sec. 216.33 through 
216.38, permits for scientific research and enhancement are governed by 
the following requirements:
    (a) Applicant. (1) For each application submitted under this 
section, the applicant shall be the principal investigator responsible 
for the overall research or enhancement activity. If the research or 
enhancement activity will involve a periodic change in the principal 
investigator or is otherwise controlled by and dependent upon another 
entity, the applicant may be the institution, governmental entity, or 
corporation responsible for supervision of the principal investigator.
    (2) For any scientific research involving captive maintenance, the 
application must include supporting documentation from the person 
responsible for the facility or other temporary enclosure.
    (b) Issuance Criteria. For the Office Director to issue any 
scientific research or enhancement permit, the applicant must 
demonstrate that:
    (1) The proposed activity furthers a bona fide scientific or 
enhancement purpose;
    (2) If the lethal taking of marine mammals is proposed:
    (i) Non-lethal methods for conducting the research are not feasible; 
and
    (ii) For depleted, endangered, or threatened species, the results 
will directly benefit that species or stock, or will fulfill a 
critically important research need.
    (3) Any permanent removal of a marine mammal from the wild is 
consistent with any applicable quota established by the Office Director.
    (4) The proposed research will not likely have significant adverse 
effects on any other component of the marine ecosystem of which the 
affected species or stock is a part.
[[Page 45]]
    (5) For species or stocks designated or proposed to be designated as 
depleted, or listed or proposed to be listed as endangered or 
threatened:
    (i) The proposed research cannot be accomplished using a species or 
stock that is not designated or proposed to be designated as depleted, 
or listed or proposed to be listed as threatened or endangered;
    (ii) The proposed research, by itself or in combination with other 
activities will not likely have a long-term direct or indirect adverse 
impact on the species or stock;
    (iii) The proposed research will either:
    (A) Contribute to fulfilling a research need or objective identified 
in a species recovery or conservation plan, or if there is no 
conservation or recovery plan in place, a research need or objective 
identified by the Office Director in stock assessments established under 
section 117 of the MMPA;
    (B) Contribute significantly to understanding the basic biology or 
ecology of the species or stock, or to identifying, evaluating, or 
resolving conservation problems for the species or stock; or
    (C) Contribute significantly to fulfilling a critically important 
research need.
    (6) For proposed enhancement activities:
    (i) Only living marine mammals and marine mammal parts necessary for 
enhancement of the survival, recovery, or propagation of the affected 
species or stock may be taken, imported, exported, or otherwise affected 
under the authority of an enhancement permit. Marine mammal parts would 
include in this regard clinical specimens or other biological samples 
required for the conduct of breeding programs or the diagnosis or 
treatment of disease.
    (ii) The activity will likely contribute significantly to 
maintaining or increasing distribution or abundance, enhancing the 
health or welfare of the species or stock, or ensuring the survival or 
recovery of the affected species or stock in the wild.
    (iii) The activity is consistent with:
    (A) An approved conservation plan developed under section 115(b) of 
the MMPA or recovery plan developed under section 4(f) of the ESA for 
the species or stock; or
    (B) If there is no conservation or recovery plan, with the Office 
Director's evaluation of the actions required to enhance the survival or 
recovery of the species or stock in light of the factors that would be 
addressed in a conservation or recovery plan.
    (iv) An enhancement permit may authorize the captive maintenance of 
a marine mammal from a threatened, endangered, or depleted species or 
stock only if the Office Director determines that:
    (A) The proposed captive maintenance will likely contribute directly 
to the survival or recovery of the species or stock by maintaining a 
viable gene pool, increasing productivity, providing necessary 
biological information, or establishing animal reserves required to 
support directly these objectives; and
    (B) The expected benefit to the species or stock outweighs the 
expected benefits of alternatives that do not require removal of marine 
mammals from the wild.
    (v) The Office Director may authorize the public display of marine 
mammals held under the authority of an enhancement permit only if:
    (A) The public display is incidental to the authorized captive 
maintenance;
    (B) The public display will not interfere with the attainment of the 
survival or recovery objectives;
    (C) The marine mammals will be held consistent with all requirements 
and standards that are applicable to marine mammals held under the 
authority of the Acts and the Animal Welfare Act, unless the Office 
Director determines that an exception is necessary to implement an 
essential enhancement activity; and
    (D) The marine mammals will be excluded from any interactive program 
and will not be trained for performance.
    (vi) The Office Director may authorize non-intrusive scientific 
research to be conducted while a marine mammal is held under the 
authority of an enhancement permit, only if such scientific research:
    (A) Is incidental to the permitted enhancement activities; and
[[Page 46]]
    (B) Will not interfere with the attainment of the survival or 
recovery objectives.
    (c) Restrictions. (1) The following restrictions apply to all 
scientific research permits issued under this subpart:
    (i) Research activities must be conducted in the manner authorized 
in the permit.
    (ii) Research results shall be published or otherwise made available 
to the scientific community in a reasonable period of time.
    (iii) Research activities must be conducted under the direct 
supervision of the principal investigator or a co-investigator 
identified in the permit.
    (iv) Personnel involved in research activities shall be reasonable 
in number and limited to:
    (A) Individuals who perform a function directly supportive of and 
necessary to the permitted research activity; and
    (B) Support personnel included for the purpose of training or as 
backup personnel for persons described in paragraph (c)(1)(iv)(A).
    (v) Any marine mammal part imported under the authority of a 
scientific research permit must not have been obtained as the result of 
a lethal taking that would be inconsistent with the Acts, unless 
authorized by the Office Director.
    (vi) Marine mammals held under a permit for scientific research 
shall not be placed on public display, included in an interactive 
program or activity, or trained for performance unless such activities:
    (A) Are necessary to address scientific research objectives and have 
been specifically authorized by the Office Director under the scientific 
research permit; and
    (B) Are conducted incidental to and do not in any way interfere with 
the permitted scientific research; and
    (C) Are conducted in a manner consistent with provisions applicable 
to public display, unless exceptions are specifically authorized by the 
Office Director.
    (vii) Any activity conducted incidental to the authorized scientific 
research activity must not involve any taking of marine mammals beyond 
what is necessary to conduct the research (i.e., educational and 
commercial photography).
    (2) Any marine mammal or progeny held in captive maintenance under 
an enhancement permit shall be returned to its natural habitat as soon 
as feasible, consistent with the terms of the enhancement permit and the 
objectives of an approved conservation or recovery plan. In accordance 
with section 10(j) of the ESA, the Office Director may authorize the 
release of any population of an endangered or threatened species outside 
the current range of such species if the Office Director determines that 
such release will further the conservation of such species.
[61 FR 21938, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.42  Photography. [Reserved]
Sec. 216.43  Public display. [Reserved]
Sec. 216.44  Applicability/transition.
    (a) General. The regulations of this subpart are applicable to all 
persons, including persons holding permits or other authorizing 
documents issued before June 10, 1996, by NMFS for the take, import, 
export, or conduct of any otherwise prohibited activity involving a 
marine mammal or marine mammal part for special exception purposes.
    (b) Scientific research. Any intrusive research as defined in Sec. 
216.3, initiated after June 10, 1996, must be authorized under a 
scientific research permit. Intrusive research authorized by the Office 
Director to be conducted on captive marine mammals held for public 
display purposes prior to June 10, 1996, must be authorized under a 
scientific research permit one year after June 10, 1996.
[61 FR 21939, May 10, 1996]
Sec. 216.45  General Authorization for Level B harassment for 
          scientific research.
    (a) General Authorization. (1) Persons are authorized under section 
104(c)(3)(C) of the MMPA to take marine mammals in the wild by Level B 
harassment, as defined in Sec. 216.3, for purposes of bona fide 
scientific research Provided, That:
    (i) They submit a letter of intent in accordance with the 
requirements of
[[Page 47]]
paragraph (b) of this section, receive confirmation that the General 
Authorization applies in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section, 
and comply with the terms and conditions of paragraph (d) of this 
section; or
    (ii) If such marine mammals are listed as endangered or threatened 
under the ESA, they have been issued a permit under Section 10(a)(1)(A) 
of the ESA and implementing regulations at 50 CFR parts 217-227, 
particularly at Sec. 222.23 through Sec. 222.28, to take marine 
mammals in the wild for the purpose of scientific research, the taking 
authorized under the permit involves such Level B harassment of marine 
mammals or marine mammal stocks, and they comply with the terms and 
conditions of that permit.
    (2) Except as provided under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, 
no taking, including harassment, of marine mammals listed as threatened 
or endangered under the ESA is authorized under the General 
Authorization. Marine mammals listed as endangered or threatened under 
the ESA may be taken for purposes of scientific research only after 
issuance of a permit for such activities pursuant to the ESA.
    (3) The following types of research activities will likely qualify 
for inclusion under the General Authorization: Photo-identification 
studies, behavioral observations, and vessel and aerial population 
surveys (except aerial surveys over pinniped rookeries at altitudes of 
less than 1,000 ft).
    (b) Letter of intent. Except as provided under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) 
of this section, any person intending to take marine mammals in the wild 
by Level B harassment for purposes of bona fide scientific research 
under the General Authorization must submit, at least 60 days before 
commencement of such research, a letter of intent by certified return/
receipt mail to the Chief, Permits Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1335 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226.
    (1) The letter of intent must be submitted by the principal 
investigator (who shall be deemed the applicant). For purposes of this 
section, the principal investigator is the individual who is responsible 
for the overall research project, or the institution, governmental 
entity, or corporation responsible for supervision of the principal 
investigator.
    (2) The letter of intent must include the following information:
    (i) The name, address, telephone number, qualifications and 
experience of the applicant and any co-investigator(s) to be conducting 
the proposed research, and a curriculum vitae for each, including a list 
of publications by each such investigator relevant to the objectives, 
methodology, or other aspects of the proposed research;
    (ii) The species or stocks of marine mammals (common and scientific 
names) that are the subject of the scientific research and any other 
species or stock of marine mammals that may be harassed during the 
conduct of the research;
    (iii) The geographic location(s) in which the research is to be 
conducted, e.g., geographic name or lat./long.;
    (iv) The period(s) of time over which the research will be conducted 
(up to five years), including the field season(s) for the research, if 
applicable;
    (v) The purpose of the research, including a description of how the 
proposed research qualifies as bona fide research as defined in Sec. 
216.3; and
    (vi) The methods to be used to conduct the research.
    (3) The letter of intent must be signed, dated, and certified by the 
applicant as follows:
    In accordance with section 104(c)(3)(C) of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and 
implementing regulations (50 CFR part 216), I hereby notify the National 
Marine Fisheries Service of my intent to conduct research involving only 
Level B harassment on marine mammals in the wild, and request 
confirmation that the General Authorization for Level B Harassment for 
Scientific Research applies to the proposed research as described 
herein. I certify that the information in this letter of intent is 
complete, true, and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and 
I understand that any false statement may subject me to the criminal 
penalties of 18 U.S.C. 1001, or penalties under the MMPA and 
implementing regulations. I acknowledge and accept that authority to 
conduct scientific research on marine mammals in the wild under the 
General Authorization is a limited conditional authority restricted to
[[Page 48]]
Level B harassment only, and that any other take of marine mammals, 
including the conduct of any activity that has the potential to injure 
marine mammals (i.e., Level A harassment), may subject me to penalties 
under the MMPA and implementing regulations.
    (c) Confirmation that the General Authorization applies or 
notification of permit requirement.
    (1) Not later than 30 days after receipt of a letter of intent as 
described in paragraph (b) of this section, the Chief, Permits Division, 
NMFS will issue a letter to the applicant either:
    (i) Confirming that the General Authorization applies to the 
proposed scientific research as described in the letter of intent;
    (ii) Notifying the applicant that all or part of the research 
described in the letter of intent is likely to result in a taking of a 
marine mammal in the wild involving other than Level B harassment and, 
as a result, cannot be conducted under the General Authorization, and 
that a scientific research permit is required to conduct all or part of 
the subject research; or
    (iii) Notifying the applicant that the letter of intent fails to 
provide sufficient information and providing a description of the 
deficiencies, or notifying the applicant that the proposed research as 
described in the letter of intent is not bona fide research as defined 
in Sec. 216.3.
    (2) A copy of each letter of intent and letter confirming that the 
General Authorization applies or notifying the applicant that it does 
not apply will be forwarded to the Marine Mammal Commission.
    (3) Periodically, NMFS will publish a summary document in the 
Federal Register notifying the public of letters of confirmation issued.
    (d) Terms and conditions. Persons issued letters of confirmation in 
accordance with paragraph (c) of this section are responsible for 
complying with the following terms and conditions:
    (1) Activities are limited to those conducted for the purposes, by 
the means, in the locations, and during the periods of time described in 
the letter of intent and acknowledged as authorized under the General 
Authorization in the confirmation letter sent pursuant to paragraph (c) 
of this section;
    (2) Annual reports of activities conducted under the General 
Authorization must be submitted to the Chief, Permits Division (address 
listed in paragraph (b) of this section) within 90 days of completion of 
the last field season(s) during the calendar year or, if the research is 
not conducted during a defined field season, no later than 90 days after 
the anniversary date of the letter of confirmation issued under 
paragraph (c) of this section. Annual reports must include:
    (i) A summary of research activities conducted;
    (ii) Identification of the species and number of each species taken 
by Level B harassment;
    (iii) An evaluation of the progress made in meeting the objectives 
of the research as described in the letter of intent; and
    (iv) Any incidental scientific, educational, or commercial uses of 
photographs, videotape, and film obtained as a result of or incidental 
to the research and if so, names of all photographers.
    (3) Authorization to conduct research under the General 
Authorization is for the period(s) of time identified in the letter of 
intent or for a period of 5 years from the date of the letter of 
confirmation issued under paragraph (c) of this section, whichever is 
less, unless extended by the Director or modified, suspended, or revoked 
in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section;
    (4) Activities conducted under the General Authorization may only be 
conducted under the on-site supervision of the principal investigator or 
co-investigator(s) named in the letter of intent. All personnel involved 
in the conduct of activities under the General Authorization must 
perform a function directly supportive of and necessary for the research 
being conducted, or be one of a reasonable number of support personnel 
included for the purpose of training or as back-up personnel;
    (5) The principal investigator must notify the appropriate Regional 
Director, NMFS, (Regional Director) in writing at least 2 weeks before 
initiation of on-site activities. The Regional Director shall consider 
this information in efforts to coordinate field research activities to 
minimize adverse impacts
[[Page 49]]
on marine mammals in the wild. The principal investigator must cooperate 
with coordination efforts by the Regional Director in this regard;
    (6) If research activities result in a taking which exceeds Level B 
harassment, the applicant shall:
    (i) Report the taking within 12 hours to the Director, Office of 
Protected Resources, or his designee as set forth in the letter 
authorizing research; and
    (ii) Temporarily discontinue for 72 hours all field research 
activities that resulted in the taking. During this time period, the 
applicant shall consult with NMFS as to the circumstances surrounding 
the taking and any precautions necessary to prevent future taking, and 
may agree to amend the research protocol, as deemed necessary by NMFS.
    (7) NMFS may review scientific research conducted pursuant to the 
General Authorization. If requested by NMFS, the applicant must 
cooperate with any such review and shall:
    (i) Allow any employee of NOAA or any other person designated by the 
Director, Office of Protected Resources to observe research activities; 
and
    (ii) Provide any documents or other information relating to the 
scientific research;
    (8) Any photographs, videotape, or film obtained during the conduct 
of research under the General Authorization must be identified by a 
statement that refers to the General Authorization or ESA permit number, 
and includes the file number provided by NMFS in the confirmation 
letter, the name of the photographer, and the date the image was taken. 
This statement must accompany the image(s) in all subsequent uses or 
sales. The annual report must note incidental scientific, educational, 
or commercial uses of the images, and if there are any such uses, the 
names of all photographers; and
    (9) Persons conducting scientific research under authority of the 
General Authorization may not transfer or assign any authority granted 
thereunder to any other person.
    (e) Suspension, revocation, or modification. (1) NMFS may suspend, 
revoke, or modify the authority to conduct scientific research under the 
General Authorization if:
    (i) The letter of intent included false information or statements of 
a material nature;
    (ii) The research does not constitute bona fide scientific research;
    (iii) Research activities result in takings of marine mammals other 
than by Level B harassment;
    (iv) Research activities differ from those described in the letter 
of intent submitted by the applicant and letter of confirmation issued 
by NMFS; or
    (v) The applicant violates any term or condition set forth in this 
section.
    (2) Any suspension, revocation, or modification is subject to the 
requirements of 15 CFR part 904.
[59 FR 50376, Oct. 3, 1994]
Sec. 216.46  U.S. citizens on foreign flag vessels operating under the 
          International Dolphin Conservation Program.
    The MMPA's provisions do not apply to a citizen of the United States 
who incidentally takes any marine mammal during fishing operations in 
the ETP which are outside the U.S. exclusive economic zone (as defined 
in section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1802)), while employed on a fishing vessel of a 
harvesting nation that is participating in, and in compliance with, the 
IDCP.
[65 FR 56, Jan. 3, 2000]
Sec. 216.47  Access to marine mammal tissue, analyses, and data.
    (a) Applications for the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank samples 
(NMMTB). (1) A principal investigator, contributor or holder of a 
scientific research permit issued in accordance with the provisions of 
this subpart may apply for access to a tissue specimen sample in the 
NMMTB. Applicants for tissue specimen samples from the NMMTB must submit 
a signed written request with attached study plan to the Marine Mammal 
Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) Program Manager, Office 
of Protected Resources, NMFS. The written request must include:
    (i) A clear and concise statement of the proposed use of the banked 
tissue specimen. The applicant must demonstrate that the proposed use of 
the
[[Page 50]]
banked tissue is consistent with the goals of the NMMTB and the MMHSRP.
    (A) The goals of the MMHSRP are to facilitate the collection and 
dissemination of reference data on marine mammals and health trends of 
marine mammal populations in the wild; to correlate the health of marine 
mammals and marine mammal populations in the wild with available data on 
physical, chemical, and biological environmental parameters; and to 
coordinate effective responses to unusual mortality events.
    (B) The goal of the NMMTB is to maintain quality controlled marine 
mammal tissues that will permit retrospective analyses to determine 
environmental trends of contaminants and other analytes of interest and 
that will provide the highest quality samples for analyses using new and 
innovative techniques.
    (ii) A copy of the applicant's scientific research permit. The 
applicant must demonstrate that the proposed use of the banked tissue is 
authorized by the permit;
    (iii) Name of principal investigator, official title, and affiliated 
research or academic organization;
    (iv) Specific tissue sample and quantity desired;
    (v) Research facility where analyses will be conducted. The 
applicant must demonstrate that the research facility will follow the 
Analytical Quality Assurance (AQA) program, which was designed to ensure 
the accuracy, precision, level of detection, and intercompatibility of 
data resulting from chemical analyses of marine mammal tissues. The AQA 
consists of annual interlaboratory comparisons and the development of 
control materials and standard reference materials for marine mammal 
tissues;
    (vi) Verification that funding is available to conduct the research;
    (vii) Estimated date for completion of research, and schedule/date 
of subsequent reports;
    (viii) Agreement that all research findings based on use of the 
banked tissue will be reported to the NMMTB, MMHSRP Program Manager and 
the contributor; and the sequences of tissue specimen samples that are 
used/released for genetic analyses (DNA sequencing) will be archived in 
the National Center for biotechnology Information's GenBank. Sequence 
accessions in GenBank should document the source, citing a NIST field 
number that indentifies the animal; and
    (ix) Agreement that credit and acknowledgment will be given to U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), US Geologic Service (USGS), National 
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Minerals Management 
Service (MMS), NMFS, the NMMTB, and the collector for use of banked 
tissues.
    (2) The applicant shall insert the following acknowledgment in all 
publications, abstracts, or presentations based on research using the 
banked tissue:
    The specimens used in this study were collected by [the contributor] 
and provided by the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank, which is 
maintained in the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank at NIST and which 
is operated under the direction of NMFS with the collaboration of MMS, 
USGS, USFWS, and NIST through the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding 
Response Program [and the Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project 
if the samples are from Alaska].
    (3) Upon submission of a complete application, the MMHSRP Program 
Manager will send the request and attached study plan to the following 
entities which will function as the review committee:
    (i) Appropriate Federal agency (NMFS or USFWS) marine mammal 
management office for that particular species; and
    (ii) Representatives of the NMMTB Collaborating Agencies (NMFS, 
USFS, USGS Biological Resources Division, and NIST) If no member of the 
review committee is an expert in the field that is related to the 
proposed research activity, any member may request an outside review of 
the proposal, which may be outside of NMFS or USFWS but within the 
Federal Government.
    (4) The MMHSRP Program Manager will send the request and attached 
study plan to any contributor(s) of the tissue specimen sample. The 
contributor(s) of the sample may submit comments on the proposed 
research activity to the Director, Office of Protected Resources within 
30 days of the date
[[Page 51]]
that the request was sent to the contributor(s).
    (5) The USFWS Representative of the NMMTB Collaborating Agencies 
will be chair of review committees for requests involving species 
managed by the DOI. The MMHSRP Program Manager will be chair of all 
other review committees.
    (6) Each committee chair will provide recommendations on the request 
and an evaluation of the study plan to the Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS.
    (7) The Director, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, will make the 
final decision on release of the samples based on the advice provided by 
the review committee, comments received from any contributor(s) of the 
sample within the time provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, and 
determination that the proposed use of the banked tissue specimen is 
consistent with the goals of the MMHSRP and the NMMTB. The Director will 
send a written decision to the applicant and send copies to all review 
committee members. If the samples are released, the response will 
indicate whether the samples have been homogenized and, if not, the 
homogenization schedule.
    (8) The applicant will bear all shipping and homogenization costs 
related to use of any specimens from the NMMTB.
    (9) The applicant will dispose of the tissue specimen sample 
consistent with the provisions of the applicant's scientific research 
permit after the research is completed, unless the requester submits 
another request and receives approval pursuant to this section. The 
request must be submitted within three months after the original project 
has been completed.
    (b) [Reserved]
[69 FR 41979, July 13, 2004]
Sec. Sec. 216.48-216.49  [Reserved]
                       Subpart E_Designated Ports
Sec. 216.50  Importation at designated ports.
    (a) Any marine mammal or marine mammal product which is subject to 
the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce and is 
intended for importation into the United States shall be subject to the 
provisions of 50 CFR part 14.
    (b) For the information of importers, designated ports of entry for 
the United States are:
New York, N.Y.
Miami, Fla.
Chicago, Ill.
San Francisco, Calif.
Los Angeles, Calif.
New Orleans, La.
Seattle, Wash.
Honolulu, Hi.
    (c) Additionally, marine mammals or marine mammal products which are 
entered into Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa or the 
Virgin Islands and which are not to be forwarded or transhipped within 
the United States may be imported through the following ports:
Alaska--Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks
Hawaii--Honolulu
Puerto Rico--San Juan
Guam--Honolulu, Hi.
American Samoa--Honolulu, Hi.
Virgin Islands--San Juan, P.R.
    (d) Importers are advised to see 50 CFR part 14 for importation 
requirements and information.
[39 FR 1852, Jan. 15, 1974. Redesignated at 59 FR 50376, Oct. 3, 1994]
       Subpart F_Pribilof Islands, Taking for Subsistence Purposes
Sec. 216.71  Allowable take of fur seals.
    Pribilovians may take fur seals on the Pribilof Islands if such 
taking is
    (a) For subsistence uses, and
    (b) Not accomplished in a wasteful manner.
[51 FR 24840, July 9, 1986. Redesignated at 61 FR 11750, Mar. 22, 1996]
Sec. 216.72  Restrictions on taking.
    (a) The harvests of seals on St. Paul and St. George Islands shall 
be treated independently for the purposes of this section. Any 
suspension, termination, or extension of the harvest is applicable only 
to the island for which it is issued.
[[Page 52]]
    (b) By April 1 of every third year, beginning April 1994, the 
Assistant Administrator will publish in the Federal Register a summary 
of the preceding 3 years of harvesting and a discussion of the number of 
seals expected to be taken annually over the next 3 years to satisfy the 
subsistence requirements of each island. This discussion will include an 
assessment of factors and conditions on St. Paul and St. George Islands 
that influence the need by Pribilof Aleuts to take seals for subsistence 
uses and an assessment of any changes to those conditions indicating 
that the number of seals that may be taken for subsistence each year 
should be made higher or lower. Following a 30-day public comment 
period, a final notification of the expected annual harvest levels for 
the next 3 years will be published.
    (c)(1) No fur seal may be taken on the Pribilof Islands before June 
23 of each year.
    (2) No fur seal may be taken except by experienced sealers using the 
traditional harvesting methods, including stunning followed immediately 
by exsanguination. The harvesting method shall include organized drives 
of subadult males to killing fields unless it is determined by the NMFS 
representatives, in consultation with the Pribilovians conducting the 
harvest, that alternative methods will not result in increased 
disturbance to the rookery or the increased accidental take of female 
seals.
    (3) Any taking of adult fur seals or pups, or the intentional taking 
of subadult female fur seals is prohibited.
    (4) Only subadult male fur seals 124.5 centimeters or less in length 
may be taken.
    (5) Seals with tags and/or entangling debris may only be taken if so 
directed by NMFS scientists.
    (d) The scheduling of the harvest is at the discretion of the 
Pribilovians, but must be such as to minimize stress to the harvested 
seals. The Pribilovians must give adequate advance notice of their 
harvest schedules to the NMFS representatives to allow for necessary 
monitoring activities. Scheduling must be consistent with the following 
restrictions:
    (1) St. Paul Island--Seals may only be harvested from the following 
haulout areas: Zapadni, English Bay, Northeast Point, Polovina, Lukanin, 
Kitovi, and Reef. No haulout area may be harvested more than once per 
week.
    (2) St. George Island--Seals may only be harvested from the 
following haulout areas: Northeast and Zapadni. Neither haulout area may 
be harvested more than twice per week.
    (e)(1) The Assistant Administrator is required to suspend the take 
provided for in Sec. 215.31 when:
    (i) He determines, after reasonable notice by NMFS representatives 
to the Pribilovians on the island, that the subsistence needs of the 
Pribilovians on the island have been satisfied;
or
    (ii) He determines that the harvest is otherwise being conducted in 
a wasteful manner; or
    (iii) The lower end of the range of the estimated subsistence level 
provided in the notice issued under paragraph (b) of this section is 
reached.
    (2) A suspension based on a determination under paragraph (e)(1)(ii) 
of this section may be lifted by the Assistant Administrator if he finds 
that the conditions which led to the determination that the harvest was 
being conducted in a wasteful manner have been remedied.
    (3) A suspension issued in accordance with paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of 
this section may not exceed 48 hours in duration and shall be followed 
immediately by a review of the harvest data to determine if a finding 
under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section is warranted. If a the harvest 
is not suspended under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section, the 
Assistant Administrator must provide a revised estimate of the number of 
seals required to satisfy the Pribilovians' subsistence needs.
    (f) The Assistant Administrator shall terminate the take provided 
for in Sec. 215.31 on August 8 of each year or when it is determined 
under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section that the subsistence needs of 
the Pribilovians on the
[[Page 53]]
island have been satisfied, whichever occurs first.
[51 FR 24840, July 9, 1986, as amended at 57 FR 33902, July 31, 1992; 59 
FR 35474, July 12, 1994. Redesignated at 61 FR 11750, Mar. 22, 1996]
Sec. 216.73  Disposition of fur seal parts.
    Except for transfers to other Alaskan Natives for barter or sharing 
for personal or family consumption, no part of a fur seal taken for 
subsistence uses may be sold or otherwise transferred to any person 
unless it is a nonedible byproduct which:
    (a) Has been transformed into an article of handicraft, or
    (b) Is being sent by an Alaskan Native directly, or through a 
registered agent, to a tannery registered under 50 CFR 216.23(c) for the 
purpose of processing, and will be returned directly to the Alaskan 
Native for conversion into an article of handicraft, or
    (c) Is being sold or transferred to an Alaskan Native, or to an 
agent registered under 50 CFR 216.23(c) for resale or transfer to an 
Alaskan Native, who will convert the seal part into a handicraft.
[51 FR 24840, July 9, 1986. Redesignated at 61 FR 11750, Mar. 22, 1996]
Sec. 216.74  Cooperation with Federal officials.
    Pribilovians who engage in the harvest of seals are required to co 
operate with scientists engaged in fur seal research on the Pribilof 
Islands who may need assistance in recording tag or other data and 
collecting tissue or other fur seal samples for re search purposes. In 
addition, Prib i lovians who take fur seals for sub sistence uses must, 
consistent with 5 CFR 1320.7(k)(3), cooperate with the NMFS 
representatives on the Pribilof Islands who are responsible for 
compiling the following information on a daily basis:
    (a) The number of seals taken each day in the subsistence harvest,
    (b) The extent of the utilization of fur seals taken, and
    (c) Other information determined by the Assistant Administrator to 
be necessary for determining the subsistence needs of the Pribilovians 
or for making determinations under Sec. 215.32(e).
[51 FR 24840, July 9, 1986. Redesignated at 61 FR 11750, Mar. 22, 1996]
                Subpart G_Pribilof Islands Administration
Sec. 216.81  Visits to fur seal rookeries.
    From June 1 to October 15 of each year, no person, except those 
authorized by a representative of the National Marine Fisheries Service, 
or accompanied by an authorized employee of the National Marine 
Fisheries Service, shall approach any fur seal rookery or hauling 
grounds nor pass beyond any posted sign forbidding passage.
[41 FR 49488, Nov. 9, 1976. Redesignated at 61 FR 11750, Mar. 22, 1996]
Sec. 216.82  Dogs prohibited.
    In order to prevent molestation of fur seal herds, the landing of 
any dogs at Pribilof Islands is prohibited.
[41 FR 49488, Nov. 9, 1976. Redesignated at 61 FR 11750, Mar. 22, 1996]
Sec. 216.83  Importation of birds or mammals.
    No mammals or birds, except household cats, canaries and parakeets, 
shall be imported to the Pribilof Islands without the permission of an 
authorized representative of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
[41 FR 49488, Nov. 9, 1976. Redesignated at 61 FR 11750, Mar. 22, 1996]
Sec. 216.84  [Reserved]
Sec. 216.85  Walrus and Otter Islands.
    By Executive Order 1044, dated February 27, 1909, Walrus and Otter 
Islands were set aside as bird reservations. All persons are prohibited 
to land on these islands except those authorized by the appropriate 
representative of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
[41 FR 49488, Nov. 9, 1976. Redesignated at 61 FR 11750, Mar. 22, 1996]
Sec. 216.86  Local regulations.
    Local regulations will be published from time to time and will be 
brought to the attention of local residents and persons assigned to duty 
on the Islands
[[Page 54]]
by posting in public places and brought to the attention of tourists by 
personal notice.
[41 FR 49488, Nov. 9, 1976. Redesignated at 61 FR 11750, Mar. 22, 1996]
Sec. 216.87  Wildlife research.
    (a) Wildlife research, other than research on North Pacific fur 
seals, including specimen collection, may be permitted on the Pribilof 
Islands subject to the following conditions:
    (1) Any person or agency, seeking to conduct such research shall 
first obtain any Federal or State of Alaska permit required for the type 
of research involved.
    (2) Any person seeking to conduct such research shall obtain prior 
approval of the Director, Pribilof Islands Program, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1700 
Westlake Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, by filing with the Director an 
application which shall include:
    (i) Copies of the required Federal and State of Alaska permits; and
    (ii) A resume of the intended research program.
    (3) All approved research shall be subject to all regulations and 
administrative procedures in effect on the Pribilof Islands, and such 
research shall not commence until approval from the Director is 
received.
    (4) Any approved research program shall be subject to such terms and 
conditions as the Director, Pribilof Islands Program deems appropriate.
    (5) Permission to utilize the Pribilof Islands to conduct an 
approved research program may be revoked by the Director, Pribilof 
Islands Program at any time for noncompliance with any terms and 
conditions, or for violations of any regulation or administrative 
procedure in effect on the Pribilof Islands.
[43 FR 5521, Feb. 9, 1978. Redesignated at 61 FR 11750, Mar. 22, 1996]
                  Subpart H_Dolphin Safe Tuna Labeling
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1385.
Sec. 216.90  Purposes.
    This subpart governs the requirements for using the official mark 
described in Sec. 216.95 or an alternative mark that refers to 
dolphins, porpoises, or marine mammals, to label tuna or tuna products 
offered for sale in or exported from the United States using the term 
dolphin-safe or suggesting the tuna were harvested in a manner not 
injurious to dolphins.
[69 FR 55307, Sept. 13, 2004]
Sec. 216.91  Dolphin-safe labeling standards.
    (a) It is a violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission 
Act (15 U.S.C. 45) for any producer, importer, exporter, distributor, or 
seller of any tuna products that are exported from or offered for sale 
in the United States to include on the label of those products the term 
``dolphin-safe'' or any other term or symbol that claims or suggests 
that the tuna contained in the products were harvested using a method of 
fishing that is not harmful to dolphins if the products contain tuna 
harvested:
    (1) ETP large purse seine vessel. In the ETP by a purse seine vessel 
of greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity unless:
    (i) the documentation requirements for dolphin-safe tuna under Sec. 
216.92 and 216.93 are met;
    (ii) No dolphins were killed or seriously injured during the sets in 
which the tuna were caught; and
    (iii) None of the tuna were caught on a trip using a purse seine net 
intentionally deployed on or to encircle dolphins, provided that this 
paragraph (a)(1)(iii) will not apply if the Assistant Administrator 
publishes a notification in the Federal Register announcing a finding 
under 16 U.S.C. 1385(g)(2) that the intentional deployment of purse 
seine nets on or encirclement of dolphins is not having a significant 
adverse impact on any depleted stock.
    (2) Non-ETP purse seine vessel. Outside the ETP by a vessel using a 
purse seine net:
    (i) In a fishery in which the Assistant Administrator has determined 
that a
[[Page 55]]
regular and significant association occurs between dolphins and tuna 
(similar to the association between dolphins and tuna in the ETP), 
unless such products are accompanied by a written statement, executed by 
the Captain of the vessel and an observer participating in a national or 
international program acceptable to the Assistant Administrator, 
certifying that no purse seine net was intentionally deployed on or used 
to encircle dolphins during the particular trip on which the tuna were 
caught and no dolphins were killed or seriously injured in the sets in 
which the tuna were caught; or
    (ii) In any other fishery unless the products are accompanied by a 
written statement executed by the Captain of the vessel certifying that 
no purse seine net was intentionally deployed on or used to encircle 
dolphins during the particular trip on which the tuna was harvested;
    (3) Driftnet. By a vessel engaged in large-scale driftnet fishing; 
or
    (4) Other fisheries. By a vessel in a fishery other than one 
described in paragraphs (a)(1) through(a)(3) of this section that is 
identified by the Assistant Administrator as having a regular and 
significant mortality or serious injury of dolphins, unless such product 
is accompanied by a written statement, executed by the Captain of the 
vessel and an observer participating in a national or international 
program acceptable to the Assistant Administrator, that no dolphins were 
killed or seriously injured in the sets or other gear deployments in 
which the tuna were caught, provided that the Assistant Administrator 
determines that such an observer statement is necessary.
    (b) It is a violation of section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission 
Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to willingly and knowingly use a label referred to in 
this section in a campaign or effort to mislead or deceive consumers 
about the level of protection afforded dolphins under the IDCP.
    (c) A tuna product that is labeled with the official mark, described 
in Sec. 216.95, may not be labeled with any other label or mark that 
refers to dolphins, porpoises, or marine mammals.
[69 FR 55307, Sept. 13, 2004]
Sec. 216.92  Dolphin-safe requirements for tuna harvested in the ETP by 
          large purse seine vessels.
    (a) U.S. vessels. Tuna products that contain tuna harvested by U.S. 
flag purse seine vessels of greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying 
capacity in the ETP may be labeled dolphin-safe only if the following 
requirements are met:
    (1) Tuna Tracking Forms containing a complete record of all the 
fishing activities on the trip, certified by the vessel Captain and the 
observer, are submitted to the Administrator, Southwest Region, at the 
end of the fishing trip during which the tuna was harvested;
    (2) The tuna is delivered for processing to a U.S. tuna processor in 
a plant located in one of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, or American Samoa 
that is in compliance with the tuna tracking and verification 
requirements of Sec. 216.93; and
    (3) The tuna or tuna products meet the dolphin-safe labeling 
standards under Sec. 216.91.
    (b) Imported tuna.
    (1) Yellowfin tuna or tuna products harvested in the ETP by vessels 
of greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity and presented for 
import into the United States may be labeled dolphin-safe only if the 
yellowfin tuna was harvested by a U.S. vessel fishing in compliance with 
the requirements of the IDCP and applicable U.S. law, or by a vessel 
belonging to a nation that has obtained an affirmative finding under 
Sec. 216.24(f)(8).
    (2) Tuna or tuna products, other than yellowfin tuna, harvested in 
the ETP by purse seine vessels of greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) 
carrying capacity and presented for import into the United States may be 
labeled dolphin-safe only if:
    (i) The tuna was harvested by a U.S. vessel fishing in compliance 
with the requirements of the IDCP and applicable U.S. law, or by a 
vessel belonging to a nation that is a Party to the Agreement on the 
IDCP or has applied to become a Party and is adhering to all the 
requirements of the Agreement on the IDCP Tuna Tracking and Verification 
Plan;
[[Page 56]]
    (ii) The tuna or tuna products are accompanied by a properly 
completed FCO; and
    (iii) The tuna or tuna products are accompanied by valid 
documentation signed by a representative of the appropriate IDCP member 
nation, containing the harvesting vessel names and tuna tracking form 
numbers represented in the shipment, and certifying that:
    (A) There was an IDCP approved observer on board the vessel(s) 
during the entire trip(s); and
    (B) The tuna contained in the shipment were caught according to the 
dolphin-safe labeling standards of Sec. 216.91.
[69 FR 55307, Sept. 13, 2004]
Sec. 216.93  Tracking and verification program.
    The Administrator, Southwest Region, has established a national 
tracking and verification program to accurately document the dolphin-
safe condition of tuna, under the standards set forth in Sec. Sec. 
216.91 and 216.92. The tracking program includes procedures and reports 
for use when importing tuna into the United States and during U.S. purse 
seine fishing, processing, and marketing in the United States and 
abroad. Verification of tracking system operations is attained through 
the establishment of audit and document review requirements. The 
tracking program is consistent with the international tuna tracking and 
verification program adopted by the Parties to the Agreement on the 
IDCP.
    (a) Tuna tracking forms. Whenever a U.S. flag tuna purse seine 
vessel of greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity fishes in the 
ETP, IDCP approved Tuna Tracking Forms (TTFs), bearing a unique number 
assigned to that trip, are used by the observer to record every set made 
during that trip. One TTF is used to record dolphin-safe sets and a 
second TTF is used to record non-dolphin-safe sets. The information 
entered on the TTFs following each set includes the date, well number, 
weights by species composition, estimated tons loaded, and additional 
notes, if any. The observer and the vessel engineer initial the entry as 
soon as possible following each set, and the vessel captain and observer 
review and sign both TTFs at the end of the fishing trip certifying that 
the information on the forms is accurate. TTFs are confidential official 
documents of the IDCP, consistent with Article XVIII of the Agreement on 
the IDCP, and the Agreement on the IDCP Rules of Confidentiality.
    (b) Dolphin-Safe Certification. Upon request, the Office of the 
Administrator, Southwest Region, will provide written certification that 
tuna harvested by U.S. purse seine vessels greater than 400 st (362.8 
mt) carrying capacity is dolphin-safe, but only if NMFS' review of the 
TTFs for the subject trip shows that the tuna for which the 
certification is requested is dolphin-safe under the requirements of the 
Agreement on the IDCP and U.S. law.
    (c) Tracking fishing operations. (1) During ETP fishing trips by 
purse seine vessels greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity, 
tuna caught in sets designated as dolphin-safe by the vessel observer 
must be stored separately from tuna caught in non-dolphin-safe sets from 
the time of capture through unloading. Vessel personnel will decide into 
which wells tuna will be loaded. The observer will initially designate 
whether each set is dolphin-safe or not, based on his/her observation of 
the set. The observer will initially identify a vessel fish well as 
dolphin-safe if the first tuna loaded into the well during a trip was 
captured in a set in which no dolphin died or was seriously injured. The 
observer will initially identify a vessel fish well as non-dolphin-safe 
if the first tuna loaded into the well during a trip was captured in a 
set in which a dolphin died or was seriously injured. Any tuna loaded 
into a well previously designated non-dolphin-safe is considered non-
dolphin-safe tuna. The observer will change the designation of a 
dolphin-safe well to non-dolphin-safe if any tuna are loaded into the 
well that were captured in a set in which a dolphin died or was 
seriously injured.
    (2) The captain, managing owner, or vessel agent of a U.S. purse 
seine vessel greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) returning to port from a 
trip, any part of which included fishing in the ETP, must provide at 
least 48 hours notice of the vessel's intended place of landing, arrival
[[Page 57]]
time, and schedule of unloading to the Administrator, Southwest Region.
    (3) If the trip terminates when the vessel enters port to unload 
part or all of its catch, new TTFs will be assigned to the new trip, and 
any information concerning tuna retained on the vessel will be recorded 
as the first entry on the TTFs for the new trip. If the trip is not 
terminated following a partial unloading, the vessel will retain the 
original TTFs and submit a copy of those TTFs to the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, within 5 working days. In either case, the species and 
amount unloaded will be noted on the respective originals.
    (4) Tuna offloaded to trucks, storage facilities, or carrier vessels 
must be loaded or stored in such a way as to maintain and safeguard the 
identification of the dolphin-safe or non-dolphin-safe designation of 
the tuna as it left the fishing vessel.
    (5)(i) When ETP caught tuna is offloaded from a U.S. purse seine 
vessel greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) directly to a U.S. canner within 
the 50 states, Puerto Rico, or American Samoa, or in any port and 
subsequently loaded aboard a carrier vessel for transport to a U.S. 
processing location, a NMFS representative may meet the U.S. purse seine 
vessel to receive the TTFs from the vessel observer and to monitor the 
handling of dolphin-safe and non-dolphin-safe tuna.
    (ii) If a NMFS representative does not meet the vessel in port at 
the time of arrival, the captain of the vessel or the vessel's managing 
office must assure delivery of the TTFs to the Administrator, Southwest 
Region, from that location within 5 working days of the end of the trip. 
Alternatively, if the captain approves and notifies the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, the captain may entrust the observer to deliver the 
signed TTFs to the local office of the IATTC.
    (iii) When ETP caught tuna is offloaded from a U.S. purse seine 
vessel greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity directly to a 
processing facility located outside the jurisdiction of the United 
States in a country that is a Party to the Agreement on the IDCP, the 
national authority in whose area of jurisdiction the tuna is to be 
processed will assume the responsibility for tracking and verification 
of the tuna offloaded. If a representative of the national authority 
meets the vessel in port, that representative will receive the original 
TTFs and assume the responsibility for providing copies of the TTFs to 
the Administrator, Southwest Region. If a representative of the national 
authority does not meet the vessel, the fishing vessel captain or the 
vessel's managing office must assure delivery of the completed TTFs in 
accordance with paragraphs (ii) and (v) of this section.
    (iv) When ETP caught tuna is offloaded from a U.S. purse seine 
vessel greater than 400 st (362.8 mt) carrying capacity in a country 
that is not a Party to the Agreement on the IDCP, the tuna becomes the 
tracking and verification responsibility of the national authority of 
the processing facility when it is unloaded from the fishing vessel. The 
captain or the vessel's managing office must assure delivery of the 
completed TTFs in accordance with paragraphs (ii) and (v) of this 
section.
    (v) TTFs are confidential documents of the IDCP. Vessel captains and 
managing offices may not provide copies of TTFs to any representatives 
of private organizations or non-member states.
    (d) Tracking cannery operations. (1) Whenever a U.S. tuna canning 
company in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, or American Samoa receives a 
domestic or imported shipment of ETP caught tuna for processing, a NMFS 
representative may be present to monitor delivery and verify that 
dolphin-safe and non-dolphin-safe tuna are clearly identified and remain 
segregated. Such inspections may be scheduled or unscheduled, and 
canners must allow the NMFS representative access to all areas and 
records.
    (2) Tuna processors must submit a report to the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, of all tuna received at their processing facilities in 
each calendar month whether or not the tuna is actually canned or stored 
during that month. Monthly cannery receipt reports must be submitted 
electronically or by mail before the last day of the
[[Page 58]]
month following the month being reported. Monthly reports must contain 
the following information:
    (i) Domestic receipts: dolphin-safe status, species, condition 
(round, loin, dressed, gilled and gutted, other), weight in short tons 
to the fourth decimal, ocean area of capture (ETP, western Pacific, 
Indian, eastern and western Atlantic, other), catcher vessel, trip 
dates, carrier name, unloading dates, and location of unloading.
    (ii) Import receipts: In addition to the information required in 
paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, a copy of the FCO for each imported 
receipt must be provided.
    (3) Tuna processors must report on a monthly basis the amounts of 
ETP-caught tuna that were immediately utilized upon receipt or removed 
from cold storage. This report may be submitted in conjunction with the 
monthly report required in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. This report 
must contain:
    (i) The date of removal from cold storage or disposition;
    (ii) Storage container or lot identifier number(s) and dolphin-safe 
or non-dolphin-safe designation of each container or lot; and
    (iii) Details of the disposition of fish (for example, canning, 
sale, rejection, etc.).
    (4) During canning activities, non-dolphin-safe tuna may not be 
mixed in any manner or at any time during processing with any dolphin-
safe tuna or tuna products and may not share the same storage 
containers, cookers, conveyers, tables, or other canning and labeling 
machinery.
    (e) Tracking imports. All tuna products, except fresh tuna, that are 
imported into the United States must be accompanied by a properly 
certified FCO as required by Sec. 216.24(f)(2). For tuna tracking 
purposes, copies of FCOs and associated certifications must be submitted 
by the importer of record to the Administrator, Southwest Region, within 
30 days of the shipment's entry into the commerce of the United States 
as required by Sec. 216.24(f)(3)(ii).
    (f) Verification requirements--(1) Record maintenance. Any exporter, 
transshipper, importer, processor, or wholesaler/distributor of any tuna 
or tuna products must maintain records related to that tuna for at least 
2 years. These records include, but are not limited to: FCOs and 
required certifications, any reports required in paragraphs (a), (b) and 
(d) of this section, invoices, other import documents, and trip reports.
    (2) Record submission. Within 30 days of receiving a shipment of 
tuna or tuna products, any exporter, transshipper, importer, processor, 
wholesaler/distributor of tuna or tuna products must submit to the 
Administrator, Southwest Region, all corresponding FCOs and required 
certifications for those tuna or tuna products.
    (3) Audits and spot checks. Upon request of the Administrator, 
Southwest Region, any exporter, transshipper, importer, processor, or 
wholesaler/distributor of tuna or tuna products must provide the 
Administrator, Southwest Region, timely access to all pertinent records 
and facilities to allow for audits and spot-checks on caught, landed, 
stored, and processed tuna.
    (g) Confidentiality of proprietary information. Information 
submitted to the Assistant Administrator under this section will be 
treated as confidential in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 
216-100 ``Protection of Confidential Fisheries Statistics.''
[69 FR 55307, Sept. 13, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 19009, Apr. 12, 2005]
Sec. 216.94  False statements or endorsements.
    Any person who knowingly and willfully makes a false statement or 
false endorsement required by Sec. 216.92 is liable for a civil penalty 
not to exceed $100,000, that may be assessed in an action brought in any 
appropriate District Court of the United States on behalf of the 
Secretary.
[61 FR 27794, June 3, 1996. Redesignated at 69 FR 55307, Sept. 13, 2004]
Sec. 216.95  Official mark for ``Dolphin-safe'' tuna products.
    (a) This is the ``official mark'' (see figure 1) designated by the 
United States Department of Commerce that may be used to label tuna 
products that meet the ``dolphin-safe'' standards set forth in the 
Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, 16 U.S.C.
[[Page 59]]
1385, and implementing regulations at Sec. Sec. 216.91 through 216.94:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR30MY00.019
    (b) Location and size of the official mark. The official mark on 
labels must allow the consumer to identify the official mark and be 
similar in design and scale to figure 1. A full color version of the 
official mark is available at http://swr.ucsd.edu/dsl.htm.
[65 FR 34410, May 30, 2000. Redesignated at 69 FR 55307, Sept. 13, 2004]
 Subpart I_General Regulations Governing Small Takes of Marine Mammals 
                   Incidental to Specified Activities
    Source: 61 FR 15887, Apr. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
Sec. 216.101  Purpose.
    The regulations in this subpart implement section 101(a)(5) (A) 
through (D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, 16 
U.S.C. 1371(a)(5), which provides a mechanism for allowing, upon 
request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of 
marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity 
(other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographic region.
Sec. 216.102  Scope.
    The taking of small numbers of marine mammals under section 
101(a)(5)
[[Page 60]]
(A) through (D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act may be allowed only 
if the National Marine Fisheries Service:
    (a) Finds, based on the best scientific evidence available, that the 
total taking by the specified activity during the specified time period 
will have a negligible impact on species or stock of marine mammal(s) 
and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of 
those species or stocks of marine mammals intended for subsistence uses;
    (b) Prescribes either regulations under Sec. 216.106, or 
requirements and conditions contained within an incidental harassment 
authorization issued under Sec. 216.107, setting forth permissible 
methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable 
adverse impact on the species or stock of marine mammal and its habitat 
and on the availability of the species or stock of marine mammal for 
subsistence uses, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating 
grounds, and areas of similar significance; and
    (c) Prescribes either regulations or requirements and conditions 
contained within an incidental harassment authorization, as appropriate, 
pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. The specific 
regulations governing certain specified activities are contained in 
subsequent subparts of this part.
Sec. 216.103  Definitions.
    In addition to definitions contained in the MMPA, and in Sec. 
216.3, and unless the context otherwise requires, in subsequent subparts 
to this part:
    Arctic waters means the marine and estuarine waters north of 60[deg] 
N. lat.
    Citizens of the United States and U.S. citizens mean individual U.S. 
citizens or any corporation or similar entity if it is organized under 
the laws of the United States or any governmental unit defined in 16 
U.S.C. 1362(13). U.S. Federal, state and local government agencies shall 
also constitute citizens of the United States for purposes of this part.
    Incidental harassment, incidental taking and incidental, but not 
intentional, taking all mean an accidental taking. This does not mean 
that the taking is unexpected, but rather it includes those takings that 
are infrequent, unavoidable or accidental. (A complete definition of 
``take'' is contained in Sec. 216.3).
    Negligible impact is an impact resulting from the specified activity 
that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, 
adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of 
recruitment or survival.
    Small numbers means a portion of a marine mammal species or stock 
whose taking would have a negligible impact on that species or stock.
    Specified activity means any activity, other than commercial 
fishing, that takes place in a specified geographical region and 
potentially involves the taking of small numbers of marine mammals.
    Specified geographical region means an area within which a specified 
activity is conducted and that has certain biogeographic 
characteristics.
    Unmitigable adverse impact means an impact resulting from the 
specified activity:
    (1) That is likely to reduce the availability of the species to a 
level insufficient for a harvest to meet subsistence needs by:
    (i) Causing the marine mammals to abandon or avoid hunting areas;
    (ii) Directly displacing subsistence users; or
    (iii) Placing physical barriers between the marine mammals and the 
subsistence hunters; and
    (2) That cannot be sufficiently mitigated by other measures to 
increase the availability of marine mammals to allow subsistence needs 
to be met.
Sec. 216.104  Submission of requests.
    (a) In order for the National Marine Fisheries Service to consider 
authorizing the taking by U.S. citizens of small numbers of marine 
mammals incidental to a specified activity (other than commercial 
fishing), or to make a finding that an incidental take is unlikely to 
occur, a written request must be submitted to the Assistant 
Administrator. All requests must include the following information for 
their activity:
    (1) A detailed description of the specific activity or class of 
activities that
[[Page 61]]
can be expected to result in incidental taking of marine mammals;
    (2) The date(s) and duration of such activity and the specific 
geographical region where it will occur;
    (3) The species and numbers of marine mammals likely to be found 
within the activity area;
    (4) A description of the status, distribution, and seasonal 
distribution (when applicable) of the affected species or stocks of 
marine mammals likely to be affected by such activities;
    (5) The type of incidental taking authorization that is being 
requested (i.e., takes by harassment only; takes by harassment, injury 
and/or death) and the method of incidental taking;
    (6) By age, sex, and reproductive condition (if possible), the 
number of marine mammals (by species) that may be taken by each type of 
taking identified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, and the number of 
times such takings by each type of taking are likely to occur;
    (7) The anticipated impact of the activity upon the species or stock 
of marine mammal;
    (8) The anticipated impact of the activity on the availability of 
the species or stocks of marine mammals for subsistence uses;
    (9) The anticipated impact of the activity upon the habitat of the 
marine mammal populations, and the likelihood of restoration of the 
affected habitat;
    (10) The anticipated impact of the loss or modification of the 
habitat on the marine mammal populations involved;
    (11) The availability and feasibility (economic and technological) 
of equipment, methods, and manner of conducting such activity or other 
means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact upon the 
affected species or stocks, their habitat, and on their availability for 
subsistence uses, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating 
grounds, and areas of similar significance;
    (12) Where the proposed activity would take place in or near a 
traditional Arctic subsistence hunting area and/or may affect the 
availability of a species or stock of marine mammal for Arctic 
subsistence uses, the applicant must submit either a plan of cooperation 
or information that identifies what measures have been taken and/or will 
be taken to minimize any adverse effects on the availability of marine 
mammals for subsistence uses. A plan must include the following:
    (i) A statement that the applicant has notified and provided the 
affected subsistence community with a draft plan of cooperation;
    (ii) A schedule for meeting with the affected subsistence 
communities to discuss proposed activities and to resolve potential 
conflicts regarding any aspects of either the operation or the plan of 
cooperation;
    (iii) A description of what measures the applicant has taken and/or 
will take to ensure that proposed activities will not interfere with 
subsistence whaling or sealing; and
    (iv) What plans the applicant has to continue to meet with the 
affected communities, both prior to and while conducting the activity, 
to resolve conflicts and to notify the communities of any changes in the 
operation;
    (13) The suggested means of accomplishing the necessary monitoring 
and reporting that will result in increased knowledge of the species, 
the level of taking or impacts on populations of marine mammals that are 
expected to be present while conducting activities and suggested means 
of minimizing burdens by coordinating such reporting requirements with 
other schemes already applicable to persons conducting such activity. 
Monitoring plans should include a description of the survey techniques 
that would be used to determine the movement and activity of marine 
mammals near the activity site(s) including migration and other habitat 
uses, such as feeding. Guidelines for developing a site-specific 
monitoring plan may be obtained by writing to the Director, Office of 
Protected Resources; and
    (14) Suggested means of learning of, encouraging, and coordinating 
research opportunities, plans, and activities relating to reducing such 
incidental taking and evaluating its effects.
    (b)(1) The Assistant Administrator shall determine the adequacy and 
completeness of a request and, if determined to be adequate and 
complete, will begin the public review process by
[[Page 62]]
publishing in the Federal Register either:
    (i) A proposed incidental harassment authorization; or
    (ii) A notice of receipt of a request for the implementation or 
reimplementation of regulations governing the incidental taking.
    (2) Through notice in the Federal Register, newspapers of general 
circulation, and appropriate electronic media in the coastal areas that 
may be affected by such activity, NMFS will invite information, 
suggestions, and comments for a period not to exceed 30 days from the 
date of publication in the Federal Register. All information and 
suggestions will be considered by the National Marine Fisheries Service 
in developing, if appropriate, the most effective regulations governing 
the issuance of letters of authorization or conditions governing the 
issuance of an incidental harassment authorization.
    (3) Applications that are determined to be incomplete or 
inappropriate for the type of taking requested, will be returned to the 
applicant with an explanation of why the application is being returned.
    (c) The Assistant Administrator shall evaluate each request to 
determine, based upon the best available scientific evidence, whether 
the taking by the specified activity within the specified geographic 
region will have a negligible impact on the species or stock and, where 
appropriate, will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of such species or stock for subsistence uses. If the 
Assistant Administrator finds that the mitigating measures would render 
the impact of the specified activity negligible when it would not 
otherwise satisfy that requirement, the Assistant Administrator may make 
a finding of negligible impact subject to such mitigating measures being 
successfully implemented. Any preliminary findings of ``negligible 
impact'' and ``no unmitigable adverse impact'' shall be proposed for 
public comment along with either the proposed incidental harassment 
authorization or the proposed regulations for the specific activity.
    (d) If, subsequent to the public review period, the Assistant 
Administrator finds that the taking by the specified activity would have 
more than a negligible impact on the species or stock of marine mammal 
or would have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of such 
species or stock for subsistence uses, the Assistant Administrator shall 
publish in the Federal Register the negative finding along with the 
basis for denying the request.
Sec. 216.105  Specific regulations.
    (a) For all petitions for regulations under this paragraph, 
applicants must provide the information requested in Sec. 216.104(a) on 
their activity as a whole, which includes, but is not necessarily 
limited to, an assessment of total impacts by all persons conducting the 
activity.
    (b) For allowed activities that may result in incidental takings of 
small numbers of marine mammals by harassment, serious injury, death or 
a combination thereof, specific regulations shall be established for 
each allowed activity that set forth:
    (1) Permissible methods of taking;
    (2) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the 
species and its habitat and on the availability of the species for 
subsistence uses; and
    (3) Requirements for monitoring and reporting, including 
requirements for the independent peer-review of proposed monitoring 
plans where the proposed activity may affect the availability of a 
species or stock for taking for subsistence uses.
    (c) Regulations will be established based on the best available 
information. As new information is developed, through monitoring, 
reporting, or research, the regulations may be modified, in whole or in 
part, after notice and opportunity for public review.
Sec. 216.106  Letter of Authorization.
    (a) A Letter of Authorization, which may be issued only to U.S. 
citizens, is required to conduct activities pursuant to any regulations 
established under Sec. 216.105. Requests for Letters of Authorization 
shall be submitted to the
[[Page 63]]
Director, Office of Protected Resources. The information to be submitted 
in a request for an authorization will be specified in the appropriate 
subpart to this part or may be obtained by writing to the above named 
person.
    (b) Issuance of a Letter of Authorization will be based on a 
determination that the level of taking will be consistent with the 
findings made for the total taking allowable under the specific 
regulations.
    (c) Letters of Authorization will specify the period of validity and 
any additional terms and conditions appropriate for the specific 
request.
    (d) Notice of issuance of all Letters of Authorization will be 
published in the Federal Register within 30 days of issuance.
    (e) Letters of Authorization shall be withdrawn or suspended, either 
on an individual or class basis, as appropriate, if, after notice and 
opportunity for public comment, the Assistant Administrator determines 
that:
    (1) The regulations prescribed are not being substantially complied 
with; or
    (2) The taking allowed is having, or may have, more than a 
negligible impact on the species or stock or, where relevant, an 
unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock 
for subsistence uses.
    (f) The requirement for notice and opportunity for public review in 
Sec. 216.106(e) shall not apply if the Assistant Administrator 
determines that an emergency exists that poses a significant risk to the 
wellbeing of the species or stocks of marine mammals concerned.
    (g) A violation of any of the terms and conditions of a Letter of 
Authorization or of the specific regulations shall subject the Holder 
and/or any individual who is operating under the authority of the 
Holder's Letter of Authorization to penalties provided in the MMPA.
Sec. 216.107  Incidental harassment authorization for Arctic waters.
    (a) Except for activities that have the potential to result in 
serious injury or mortality, which must be authorized under Sec. 
216.105, incidental harassment authorizations may be issued, following a 
30-day public review period, to allowed activities that may result in 
only the incidental harassment of a small number of marine mammals. Each 
such incidental harassment authorization shall set forth:
    (1) Permissible methods of taking by harassment;
    (2) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the 
species, its habitat, and on the availability of the species for 
subsistence uses; and
    (3) Requirements for monitoring and reporting, including 
requirements for the independent peer-review of proposed monitoring 
plans where the proposed activity may affect the availability of a 
species or stock for taking for subsistence uses.
    (b) Issuance of an incidental harassment authorization will be based 
on a determination that the number of marine mammals taken by harassment 
will be small, will have a negligible impact on the species or stock of 
marine mammal(s), and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of species or stocks for taking for subsistence uses.
    (c) An incidental harassment authorization will be either issued or 
denied within 45 days after the close of the public review period.
    (d) Notice of issuance or denial of an incidental harassment 
authorization will be published in the Federal Register within 30 days 
of issuance of a determination.
    (e) Incidental harassment authorizations will be valid for a period 
of time not to exceed 1 year but may be renewed for additional periods 
of time not to exceed 1 year for each reauthorization.
    (f) An incidental harassment authorization shall be modified, 
withdrawn, or suspended if, after notice and opportunity for public 
comment, the Assistant Administrator determines that:
    (1) The conditions and requirements prescribed in the authorization 
are not being substantially complied with; or
    (2) The authorized taking, either individually or in combination 
with other authorizations, is having, or may have, more than a 
negligible impact on the species or stock or, where relevant, an 
unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock 
for subsistence uses.
[[Page 64]]
    (g) The requirement for notice and opportunity for public review in 
paragraph (f) of this section shall not apply if the Assistant 
Administrator determines that an emergency exists that poses a 
significant risk to the well-being of the species or stocks of marine 
mammals concerned.
    (h) A violation of any of the terms and conditions of an incidental 
harassment authorization shall subject the holder and/or any individual 
who is operating under the authority of the holder's incidental 
harassment authorization to penalties provided in the MMPA.
Sec. 216.108  Requirements for monitoring and reporting under 
          incidental harassment authorizations for Arctic waters.
    (a) Holders of an incidental harassment authorization in Arctic 
waters and their employees, agents, and designees must cooperate with 
the National Marine Fisheries Service and other designated Federal, 
state, or local agencies to monitor the impacts of their activity on 
marine mammals. Unless stated otherwise within an incidental harassment 
authorization, the holder of an incidental harassment authorization 
effective in Arctic waters must notify the Alaska Regional Director, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, of any activities that may involve a 
take by incidental harassment in Arctic waters at least 14 calendar days 
prior to commencement of the activity.
    (b) Holders of incidental harassment authorizations effective in 
Arctic waters may be required by their authorization to designate at 
least one qualified biological observer or another appropriately 
experienced individual to observe and record the effects of activities 
on marine mammals. The number of observers required for monitoring the 
impact of the activity on marine mammals will be specified in the 
incidental harassment authorization. If observers are required as a 
condition of the authorization, the observer(s) must be approved in 
advance by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
    (c) The monitoring program must, if appropriate, document the 
effects (including acoustical) on marine mammals and document or 
estimate the actual level of take. The requirements for monitoring 
plans, as specified in the incidental harassment authorization, may vary 
depending on the activity, the location, and the time.
    (d) Where the proposed activity may affect the availability of a 
species or stock of marine mammal for taking for subsistence purposes, 
proposed monitoring plans or other research proposals must be 
independently peer-reviewed prior to issuance of an incidental 
harassment authorization under this subpart. In order to complete the 
peer-review process within the time frames mandated by the MMPA for an 
incidental harassment authorization, a proposed monitoring plan 
submitted under this paragraph must be submitted to the Assistant 
Administrator no later than the date of submission of the application 
for an incidental harassment authorization. Upon receipt of a complete 
monitoring plan, and at its discretion, the National Marine Fisheries 
Service will either submit the plan to members of a peer review panel 
for review or within 60 days of receipt of the proposed monitoring plan, 
schedule a workshop to review the plan. The applicant must submit a 
final monitoring plan to the Assistant Administrator prior to the 
issuance of an incidental harassment authorization.
    (e) At its discretion, the National Marine Fisheries Service may 
place an observer aboard vessels, platforms, aircraft, etc., to monitor 
the impact of activities on marine mammals.
    (f)(1) As specified in the incidental harassment authorization, the 
holder of an incidental harassment authorization for Arctic waters must 
submit reports to the Assistant Administrator within 90 days of 
completion of any individual components of the activity (if any), within 
90 days of completion of the activity, but no later than 120 days prior 
to expiration of the incidental harassment authorization, whichever is 
earlier. This report must include the following information:
    (i) Dates and type(s) of activity;
    (ii) Dates and location(s) of any activities related to monitoring 
the effects on marine mammals; and
[[Page 65]]
    (iii) Results of the monitoring activities, including an estimate of 
the actual level and type of take, species name and numbers of each 
species observed, direction of movement of species, and any observed 
changes or modifications in behavior.
    (2) Monitoring reports will be reviewed by the Assistant 
Administrator and, if determined to be incomplete or inaccurate, will be 
returned to the holder of the authorization with an explanation of why 
the report is being returned. If the authorization holder disagrees with 
the findings of the Assistant Administrator, the holder may request an 
independent peer review of the report. Failure to submit a complete and 
accurate report may result in a delay in processing future authorization 
requests.
    (g) Results of any behavioral, feeding, or population studies, that 
are conducted supplemental to the monitoring program, should be made 
available to the National Marine Fisheries Service before applying for 
an incidental harassment authorization for the following year.
Subpart J [Reserved]
Subpart K_Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Space Vehicle and Test 
                            Flight Activities
    Source: 69 FR 5727, Feb. 6, 2004, unless otherwise noted.
    Effective Date Note: At 69 FR 5727, Feb. 6, 2004, subpart K was 
added, effective Feb. 6, 2004, through Feb. 6, 2009.
Sec. 216.120  Specified activity and specified geographical region.
    (a) Regulations in this subpart apply only to the incidental taking 
of those marine mammals specified in paragraph (b) of this section by 
U.S. citizens engaged in:
    (1) Launching up to 30 space and missiles vehicles each year from 
Vandenberg Air Force Base, for a total of up to 150 missiles and rockets 
over the 5-year period of these regulations,
    (2) Launching up to 20 rockets each year from Vandenberg Air Force 
Base, for a total of up to 100 rocket launches over the 5-year period of 
these regulations,
    (3) Aircraft flight test operations, and
    (4) Helicopter operations from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
    (b) The incidental take of marine mammals on Vandenberg Air Force 
Base and in waters off southern California, under the activity 
identified in paragraph (a) of this section, is limited to the following 
species: Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), California sea lions (Zalophus 
californianus), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), and 
northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus).
Sec. 216.121  Effective dates.
    Regulations in this subpart are effective from February 6, 2004, 
through February 6, 2009.
Sec. 216.122  Permissible methods of taking.
    (a) Under Letters of Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. 216.106, 
the 30th Space Wing, U.S. Air Force, its contractors, and clients, may 
incidentally, but not intentionally, take marine mammals by harassment, 
within the area described in Sec. 216.120, provided all terms, 
conditions, and requirements of these regulations and such Letter(s) of 
Authorization are complied with.
    (b) [Reserved]
Sec. 216.123  Prohibitions.
    No person in connection with the activities described in Sec. 
216.120 shall:
    (a) Take any marine mammal not specified in Sec. 216.120(b);
    (b) Take any marine mammal specified in Sec. 216.120(b) other than 
by incidental, unintentional harassment;
    (c) Take a marine mammal specified in Sec. 216.120(b) if such take 
results in more than a negligible impact on the species or stocks of 
such marine mammal; or
    (d) Violate, or fail to comply with, the terms, conditions, and 
requirements of these regulations or a Letter of Authorization issued 
under Sec. 216.106.
[[Page 66]]
Sec. 216.124  Mitigation.
    (a) The activity identified in Sec. 216.120(a) must be conducted in 
a manner that minimizes, to the greatest extent practicable, adverse 
impacts on marine mammals and their habitats. When conducting operations 
identified in Sec. 216.120, the following mitigation measures must be 
utilized:
    (1) All aircraft and helicopter flight paths must maintain a minimum 
distance of 1,000 ft (305 m) from recognized seal haul-outs and 
rookeries (e.g., Point Sal, Purisima Point, Rocky Point), except in 
emergencies or for real-time security incidents (e.g., search-and-
rescue, fire-fighting) which may require approaching pinniped rookeries 
closer than 1,000 ft (305 m).
    (2) For missile and rocket launches, holders of Letters of 
Authorization must avoid, whenever possible, launches during the harbor 
seal pupping season of March through June, unless constrained by factors 
including, but not limited to, human safety, national security, or for 
space vehicle launch trajectory necessary to meet mission objectives.
    (3) VAFB must avoid, whenever possible, launches which are predicted 
to produce a sonic boom on the Northern Channel Islands during harbor 
seal, elephant seal, and California sea lion pupping seasons, March 
through June.
    (4) If post-launch surveys determine that an injurious or lethal 
take of a marine mammal has occurred, the launch procedure and the 
monitoring methods must be reviewed, in cooperation with NMFS, and 
appropriate changes must be made through modification to a Letter of 
Authorization, prior to conducting the next launch under that Letter of 
Authorization.
    (5) Additional mitigation measures as contained in a Letter of 
uthorization.
    (b) [Reserved]
Sec. 216.125  Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
    (a) Holders of Letters of Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. 
216.106 for activities described in Sec. 216.120(a) are required to 
cooperate with the National Marine Fisheries Service, and any other 
Federal, state or local agency monitoring the impacts of the activity on 
marine mammals. Unless specified otherwise in the Letter of 
Authorization, the Holder of the Letter of Authorization must notify the 
Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, by 
letter or telephone, at least 2 weeks prior to activities possibly 
involving the taking of marine mammals.
    (b) Holders of Letters of Authorization must designate qualified on-
site individuals, approved in advance by the National Marine Fisheries 
Service, as specified in the Letter of Authorization, to:
    (1) Conduct observations on harbor seal, elephant seal, and sea lion 
activity in the vicinity of the rookery nearest the launch platform or, 
in the absence of pinnipeds at that location, at another nearby haulout, 
for at least 72 hours prior to any planned launch occurring during the 
harbor seal pupping season (1 March through 30 June) and continue for a 
period of time not less than 48 hours subsequent to launching,
    (2) For launches during the harbor seal pupping season (March 
through June), conduct follow-up surveys within 2 weeks of the launch to 
ensure that there were no adverse effects on any marine mammals,
    (3) Monitor haul-out sites on the Northern Channel Islands, if it is 
determined by modeling that a sonic boom of greater than 1 psf could 
occur in those areas (this determination will be made in consultation 
with the National Marine Fisheries Service),
    (4) Investigate the potential for spontaneous abortion, disruption 
of effective female-neonate bonding, and other reproductive dysfunction,
    (5) Supplement observations on Vandenberg and on the Northern 
Channel Islands with video-recording of mother-pup seal responses for 
daylight launches during the pupping season,
    (6) Conduct acoustic measurements of those launch vehicles that have 
not had sound pressure level measurements made previously, and
    (7) Include multiple surveys each day that record the species, 
number of animals, general behavior, presence of pups, age class, gender 
and reaction to launch noise, sonic booms or other natural or human 
caused disturbances, in addition to recording environmental
[[Page 67]]
conditions such as tide, wind speed, air temperature, and swell.
    (c) Holders of Letters of Authorization must conduct additional 
monitoring as required under an annual Letter of Authorization.
    (d) The Holder of the Letter of Authorization must submit a report 
to the Southwest Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service within 
90 days after each launch. This report must contain the following 
information:
    (1) Date(s) and time(s) of the launch,
    (2) Design of the monitoring program, and
    (3) Results of the monitoring programs, including, but not 
necessarily limited to:
    (i) Numbers of pinnipeds present on the haulout prior to 
commencement of the launch,
    (ii) Numbers of pinnipeds that may have been harassed as noted by 
the number of pinnipeds estimated to have entered the water as a result 
of launch noise,
    (iii) The length of time(s) pinnipeds remained off the haulout or 
rookery,
    (iv) The numbers of pinniped adults or pups that may have been 
injured or killed as a result of the launch, and
    (v) Behavioral modifications by pinnipeds that were likely the 
result of launch noise or the sonic boom.
    (e) An annual report must be submitted at the time of renewal of the 
LOA.
    (f) A final report must be submitted at least 180 days prior to 
expiration of these regulations. This report will:
    (1) Summarize the activities undertaken and the results reported in 
all previous reports,
    (2) Assess the impacts at each of the major rookeries,
    (3) Assess the cumulative impact on pinnipeds and other marine 
mammals from Vandenberg activities, and
    (4) State the date(s), location(s), and findings of any research 
activities related to monitoring the effects on launch noise and sonic 
booms on marine mammal populations.
Sec. 216.126  Applications for Letters of Authorization.
    (a) To incidentally take harbor seals and other marine mammals 
pursuant to these regulations, either the U.S. citizen conducting the 
activity or the 30th Space Wing on behalf of the U.S. citizen conducting 
the activity, must apply for and obtain a Letter of Authorization in 
accordance with Sec. 216.106.
    (b) The application must be submitted to the National Marine 
Fisheries Service at least 30 days before the activity is scheduled to 
begin.
    (c) Applications for Letters of Authorization and for renewals of 
Letters of Authorization must include the following:
    (1) Name of the U.S. citizen requesting the authorization,
    (2) A description of the activity, the dates of the activity, and 
the specific location of the activity, and
    (3) Plans to monitor the behavior and effects of the activity on 
marine mammals.
    (d) A copy of the Letter of Authorization must be in the possession 
of the persons conducting activities that may involve incidental takings 
of seals and sea lions.
Sec. 216.127  Renewal of Letters of Authorization.
    A Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. 216.126 for the 
activity identified in Sec. 216.120(a) will be renewed annually upon:
    (a) Timely receipt of the reports required under Sec. 216.125(d), 
if determined by the Assistant Administrator to be acceptable; and
    (b) A determination that the mitigation measures required under 
Sec. 216.124 and the Letter of Authorization have been undertaken.
Sec. 216.128  Modifications of Letters of Authorization.
    (a) In addition to complying with the provisions of Sec. 216.106, 
except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no substantive 
modification, including withdrawal or suspension, to a Letter of 
Authorization subject to the provisions of this subpart shall be made 
until after notice and an opportunity for public comment.
    (b) If the Assistant Administrator determines that an emergency 
exists that poses a significant risk to the well-being of the species or 
stocks of marine mammals specified in Sec. 216.120 (b), a
[[Page 68]]
Letter of Authorization may be substantively modified without prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment. A notice will be published in 
the Federal Register subsequent to the action.
Subparts L-M [Reserved]
    Subpart N_Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Missile Launch 
                 Operations from San Nicolas Island, CA
    Source: 68 FR 52138, Sept. 2, 2003, unless otherwise noted.
    Effective Date Note: At 68 FR 52138, Sept. 2, 2003, Subpart N of 
Part 216 was added, effective Oct. 2, 2003, through Oct. 2, 2008.
Sec. 216.151  Specified activity, geographical region, and incidental 
          take levels.
    (a) Regulations in this subpart apply only to the incidental taking 
of marine mammals specified in paragraph (b) of this section by U.S. 
citizens engaged in target missile launch activities at the Naval Air 
Warfare Center Weapons Division facilities on San Nicolas Island, 
California.
    (b) The incidental take of marine mammals under the activity 
identified in paragraph (a) of this section is limited to the following 
species: northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina), and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).
    (c) This Authorization is valid only for activities associated with 
the launching of a total of 40 Vandal (or similar sized) vehicles from 
Alpha Launch Complex and smaller missiles and targets from Building 807 
on San Nicolas Island, California.
Sec. 216.152  Effective dates.
    Regulations in this subpart are effective from October 2, 2003 
through October 2, 2008.
Sec. 216.153  Permissible methods of taking; mitigation.
    (a) Under a Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. 
216.106, the U.S. Navy may incidentally, but not intentionally, take 
those marine mammal species specified in Sec. 216.151(b) by Level B 
harassment, in the course of conducting target missile launch activities 
within the area described in Sec. 216.151(a), provided all terms, 
conditions, and requirements of these regulations and such Letter of 
Authorization are complied with.
    (b) The activity specified in Sec. 216.151 must be conducted in a 
manner that minimizes, to the greatest extent possible, adverse impacts 
on marine mammals and their habitat. When conducting these activities, 
the following mitigation measures must be utilized:
    (1) The holder of the Letter of Authorization must prohibit 
personnel from entering pinniped haul-out sites below the missile's 
predicted flight path for 2 hours prior to planned missile launches.
    (2) The holder of the Letter of Authorization must avoid launch 
activities during harbor seal pupping season (February to April), when 
operationally practicable.
    (3) The holder of this Authorization must limit launch activities 
during other pinniped pupping seasons, when operationally practicable.
    (4) The holder of the Letter of Authorization must not launch Vandal 
target missiles from the Alpha Complex at low elevation (less than 1,000 
feet (304.8 m) on launch azimuths that pass close to pinniped haul-out 
sites).
    (5) The holder of the Letter of Authorization must avoid, where 
practicable, launching multiple target missiles in quick succession over 
haul-out sites, especially when young pups are present.
    (6) The holder of the Letter of Authorization must limit launch 
activities during nighttime hours when operationally practicable.
    (7) Aircraft and helicopter flight paths must maintain a minimum 
altitude of 1,000 feet (304.8 m) from pinniped haul-outs.
    (8) If injurious or lethal take is discovered during monitoring 
conducted under Sec. 216.155, the holder of the Letter of Authorization 
must contact the Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, or his/her designee, at (562) 980-4023 within 
48 hours and, in cooperation
[[Page 69]]
with the National Marine Fisheries Service, launch procedure, mitigation 
measures, and monitoring methods must be reviewed and appropriate 
changes made prior to the next launch.
    (9) If post-test surveys determine that an injurious or lethal take 
of a marine mammal has occurred, the test procedure and the monitoring 
methods must be reviewed and appropriate changes must be made prior to 
conducting the next missile launch.
Sec. 216.154  Prohibitions.
    Notwithstanding takings authorized by Sec. 216.151(b) and by a 
Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. 216.106, the following 
activities are prohibited:
    (a) The taking of a marine mammal that is other than unintentional.
    (b) The violation of, or failure to comply with, the terms, 
conditions, and requirements of this part or a Letter of Authorization 
issued under Sec. 216.106.
    (c) The incidental taking of any marine mammal of a species not 
specified, or in a manner not authorized, in this subpart.
Sec. 216.155  Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
    (a) The holder of the Letter of Authorization is required to 
cooperate with the National Marine Fisheries Service and any other 
Federal, state or local agency monitoring the impacts of the activity on 
marine mammals.
    (b) The National Marine Fisheries Service must be notified 
immediately of any changes or deletions to any portions of the proposed 
monitoring plan submitted in accordance with the Letter of 
Authorization.
    (c) The holder of the Letter of Authorization must designate 
biologically trained, on-site observer(s), approved in advance by the 
National Marine Fisheries Service, to record the effects of the launch 
activities and the resulting noise on pinnipeds.
    (d) The holder of the Letter of Authorization must implement the 
following monitoring measures:
    (1) Visual Land-Based Monitoring. (i) Prior to each missile launch, 
an observer(s) will place 3 autonomous digital video cameras overlooking 
chosen haul-out sites located varying distances from the missile launch 
site. Each video camera will be set to record a focal subgroup within 
the larger haul-out aggregation for a maximum of 4 hours or as permitted 
by the videotape capacity.
    (ii) Systematic visual observations, by observers described in 
paragraph (c) of this section, on pinniped presence and activity will be 
conducted and recorded in a field logbook a minimum of 2 hours prior to 
the estimated launch time and for at least 1 hour immediately following 
the launch of all launch vehicles.
    (iii) Documentation, both via autonomous video camera and human 
observer, will consist of:
    (A) Numbers and sexes of each age class in focal subgroups;
    (B) Description and timing of launch activities or other disruptive 
event(s);
    (C) Movements of pinnipeds, including number and proportion moving, 
direction and distance moved, and pace of movement;
    (D) Description of reactions;
    (E) Minimum distances between interacting and reacting pinnipeds;
    (F) Study location;
    (G) Local time;
    (H) Substratum type;
    (I) Substratum slope;
    (J) Weather condition;
    (K) Horizontal visibility; and
    (L) Tide state.
    (2) Acoustic Monitoring. (i) During all target missile launches, 
calibrated recordings of the levels and characteristics of the received 
launch sounds will be obtained from 3 different locations of varying 
distances from the target missile's flight path. To the extent 
practicable, these acoustic recording locations will correspond with the 
haul-out sites where video and human observer monitoring is done.
    (ii) Acoustic recordings will be supplemented by the use of radar 
and telemetry systems to obtain the trajectory of target missiles in 
three dimensions.
    (iii) Acoustic equipment used to record launch sounds will be 
suitable for collecting a wide range of parameters, including the 
magnitude, characteristics, and duration of each target missile.
[[Page 70]]
    (e) The holder of the Letter of Authorization must implement the 
following reporting requirements:
    (1) For each target missile launch, the lead contractor or lead 
observer for the holder of the Letter of Authorization must provide a 
status report on the information required under Sec. 216.155(d)(1)(iii) 
to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Regional Office, 
unless other arrangements for monitoring are agreed in writing.
    (2) An initial report must be submitted to the Office of Protected 
Resources, and the Southwest Regional Office at least 60 days prior to 
the expiration of each annual Letter of Authorization. This report must 
contain the following information:
    (i) Timing and nature of launch operations;
    (ii) Summary of pinniped behavioral observations;
    (iii) Estimate of the amount and nature of all takes by harassment 
or by other means.
    (3) A draft comprehensive technical report will be submitted to the 
Office of Protected Resources and Southwest Regional Office, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, 180 days prior to the expiration of these 
regulations and providing full documentation of the methods, results, 
and interpretation of all monitoring tasks for launches to date plus 
preliminary information for missile launches during the first 6 months 
of the final Letter of Authorization.
    (4) A revised final technical report, including all monitoring 
results during the entire period of the Letter of Authorization, will be 
due 90 days after the end of the period of effectiveness of these 
regulations.
    (5) Both the 60-day and draft comprehensive technical reports will 
be subject to review and comment by the National Marine Fisheries 
Service. Any recommendations made by the National Marine Fisheries 
Service must be addressed in the final comprehensive report prior to 
acceptance by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
    (f) Activities related to the monitoring described in paragraph (d) 
of this section, or in the Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. 
216.106, may be conducted without the need for a separate scientific 
research permit.
    (g) In coordination and compliance with appropriate Navy 
regulations, at its discretion, the National Marine Fisheries Service 
may place an observer on San Nicolas Island for any activity involved in 
marine mammal monitoring either prior to, during, or after a missile 
launch in order to monitor the impact on marine mammals.
Sec. 216.156  Letter of Authorization.
    (a) A Letter of Authorization, unless suspended or revoked, will be 
valid for a period of time specified in the Letter of Authorization but 
may not exceed the period of validity of this subpart.
    (b) A Letter of Authorization with a period of validity less than 
the period of validity of this subpart may be renewed subject to renewal 
conditions in Sec. 216.157.
    (c) A Letter of Authorization will set forth:
    (1) Permissible methods of incidental taking;
    (2) Specified geographic area for taking;
    (3) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the 
species of marine mammals authorized for taking and its habitat; and
    (4) Requirements for monitoring and reporting incidental takes.
    (d) Issuance of a Letter of Authorization will be based on a 
determination that the number of marine mammals taken by the activity 
will be small, and that the level of taking will be consistent with the 
findings made for the total taking allowable under these regulations.
    (e) Notice of issuance or denial of a Letter of Authorization will 
be published in the Federal Register within 30 days of a determination.
Sec. 216.157  Renewal of a Letter of Authorization.
    (a) A Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. 216.106 and Sec. 
216.156 for the activity specified in Sec. 216.151 will be renewed 
annually upon:
    (1) Notification to the National Marine Fisheries Service that the 
activity described in the application for a Letter of Authorization 
submitted under Sec. 216.156 will be undertaken and that
[[Page 71]]
there will not be a substantial modification to the described work, 
mitigation, or monitoring undertaken during the upcoming season;
    (2) Timely receipt of the monitoring reports required under Sec. 
216.155, and acceptance by the National Marine Fisheries Service;
    (3) A determination by the National Marine Fisheries Service that 
the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures required under 
Sec. Sec. 216.153 and 216.155 and the Letter of Authorization were 
undertaken and will be undertaken during the upcoming period of validity 
of a renewed Letter of Authorization; and
    (4) A determination that the number of marine mammals taken by the 
activity continues to be small and that the level of taking will be 
consistent with the findings made for the total taking allowable under 
these regulations.
    (b) A notice of issuance or denial of a renewal of a Letter of 
Authorization will be published in the Federal Register within 30 days 
of a determination.
Sec. 216.158  Modifications to the Letter of Authorization.
    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no 
substantive modification, including withdrawal or suspension, to the 
Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. 216.106 and subject to 
the provisions of this subpart shall be made until after notice and an 
opportunity for public comment.
    (b) If the Assistant Administrator determines that an emergency 
exists that poses a significant risk to the well-being of the species or 
stocks of marine mammals specified in Sec. 216.151(b), the Letter of 
Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. 216.106 may be substantively 
modified without prior notice and an opportunity for public comment. 
Notification will be published in the Federal Register subsequent to the 
action.
Subpart O [Reserved]
    Subpart P_Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Operating a Low 
   Frequency Acoustic Source by the North Pacific Acoustic Laboratory
    Source: 66 FR 43458, Aug. 17, 2001, unless otherwise noted.
    Effective Date Note: At 66 FR 43458, Aug. 17, 2001, subpart P was 
added, effective Sept. 17, 2001, to Sept. 17, 2006.
Sec. 216.170  Specified activity and specified geographical region.
    (a) Regulations in this subpart apply only to the incidental taking 
of small numbers of marine mammals specified in paragraph (b) of this 
section by U.S. citizens engaged in conducting acoustic research using a 
moored, low-frequency acoustic source by the North Pacific Acoustic 
Laboratory off Kauai, Hawaii.
    (b) The incidental harassment of marine mammals under the activity 
identified in paragraph (a) of this section is limited to small numbers 
of the following species: humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae), fin 
whales (Balaenoptera physalus), blue whales (B. musculus), Bryde's 
whales (B. edeni), minke whales (B. acutorostrata), North Pacific right 
whales (Balaena japonicus), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), 
short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), beaked whales 
(Ziphius cavirostris, Berardius bairdi, and Mesoplodon spp.), spinner 
dolphins (Stenella longirostris), spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), 
striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus), rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis), pygmy sperm 
whales (Kogia breviceps), dwarf sperm whales (Kogia simus), killer 
whales (Orcinus orca), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), pygmy 
killer whales (Feresa attenuata), and melon-headed whales (Peponocephala 
electra). and Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi).
Sec. 216.171  Effective dates.
    Regulations in this subpart are effective from September 17, 2001, 
through September 17, 2006.
[[Page 72]]
Sec. 216.172  Permissible methods of taking.
    (a) Under a Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. Sec. 
216.106 and 216.176, the Holder of this Letter of Authorization may 
incidentally, but not intentionally, take marine mammals by harassment 
within the area described in Sec. 216.170(a), provided the activity is 
in compliance with all terms, conditions, and requirements of these 
regulations and the Letter of Authorization.
    (b) The activities identified in Sec. 216.170(a) must be conducted 
in a manner that minimizes, to the greatest extent practicable, any 
adverse impacts on marine mammals and their habitat.
Sec. 216.173  Prohibitions.
    Notwithstanding takings authorized by Sec. 216.170(b) and by a 
Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 216.176, no 
person in connection with the activities described in Sec. 216.170(a) 
shall:
    (a) Take any marine mammal not specified in Sec. 216.170(b);
    (b) Take any marine mammal specified in Sec. 216.170(b) other than 
by incidental, unintentional harassment;
    (c) Take any marine mammal specified in Sec. 216.170(b) if such 
take results in more than a negligible impact on the species or stocks 
of such marine mammal; or
    (d) Violate, or fail to comply with, the terms, conditions, and 
requirements of these regulations or a Letter of Authorization issued 
under Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 216.176.
Sec. 216.174  Mitigation.
    As described in the Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. Sec. 
216.106 and 216.176., the North Pacific Acoustic Laboratory acoustic 
source must:
    (a) Operate at the minimum duty cycle necessary for conducting 
large-scale acoustic thermometry and long-range propagation objectives.
    (b) Not increase the duty cycle during the months of January through 
April.
    (c) Operate at the minimum power level necessary for conducting 
large-scale acoustic thermometry and long-range propagation objectives, 
but no more than 260 Watts.
    (d) Precede all transmissions from the acoustic source by a 5-minute 
ramp-up of the acoustic source's power.
Sec. 216.175  Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
    (a) The holder of the Letter of Authorization is required to 
cooperate with the National Marine Fisheries Service and any other 
Federal, state or local agency monitoring the impacts of the activity on 
marine mammals. The holder must notify the Southwest Regional 
Administrator at least 2 weeks prior to commencing monitoring 
activities.
    (b) The Holder of this Authorization must conduct a minimum of eight 
surveys each year from February through early April in the area off the 
north shore of Kauai, Hawaii, as specified in the Letter of 
Authorization issued under Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 216.176.
    (c) The Holder of this Authorization must, through coordination with 
marine mammal stranding networks in Hawaii, monitor strandings of marine 
mammals to detect long-term trends in stranding and the potential 
relationship to the North Pacific Acoustic Laboratory acoustic source.
    (d) Activities related to the monitoring described in paragraphs (b) 
and (c) of this section, or in the Letter of Authorization issued under 
Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 216.176 may be conducted without the need for a 
separate scientific research permit.
    (e) In coordination and compliance with marine mammal researchers 
operating under this subpart, at its discretion, the National Marine 
Fisheries Service may place an observer on any aircraft involved in 
marine mammal surveys in order to monitor the impact on marine mammals.
    (f) The holder of a Letter of Authorization must annually submit a 
report to the Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, no later than 120 days after the conclusion of the 
humpback whale aerial survey monitoring program. This report must 
contain all the information required by the Letter of Authorization, 
including the results, if any, of coordination with coastal marine 
mammal stranding networks.
[[Page 73]]
    (g) A final comprehensive report must be submitted to the Director, 
Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service no 
later than 240 days after completion of the final year of humpback whale 
aerial survey monitoring conducted under Sec. 216.175. This report must 
contain all the information required by the Letter of Authorization.
Sec. 216.176  Letter of authorization.
    (a) A Letter of Authorization, unless suspended or revoked, will be 
valid for a period of time specified in the Letter of Authorization but 
may not exceed the period of validity of this subpart.
    (b) A Letter of Authorization with a period of validity less than 
the period of validity of this subpart may be renewed subject to renewal 
conditions in Sec. 216.177.
    (c) A Letter of Authorization will set forth:
    (1) Permissible methods of incidental taking;
    (2) Authorized geographic area for taking;
    (3) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the 
species of marine mammals authorized for taking and its habitat; and
    (4) Requirements for monitoring and reporting incidental takes.
    (d) Issuance of a Letter of Authorization will be based on a 
determination that the number of marine mammals taken by the activity 
will be small, and that the number of marine mammals taken by the 
activity, specified in Sec. 216.170(b), as a whole, will have no more 
than a negligible impact on the species or stocks of affected marine 
mammal(s).
    (e) Notice of issuance or denial of a Letter of Authorization will 
be published in the Federal Register within 30 days of a determination.
Sec. 216.177  Renewal of a letter of authorization.
    (a) A Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. 216.106 and Sec. 
216.176 for the activity identified in Sec. 216.170(a) will be renewed 
annually upon:
    (1) Notification to the National Marine Fisheries Service that the 
activity described in the application for a Letter of Authorization 
submitted under Sec. 216.176 will be undertaken and that there will not 
be a substantial modification to the described work, mitigation, or 
monitoring undertaken during the upcoming season;
    (2) Timely receipt of the monitoring reports required under Sec. 
216.175, which have been reviewed by the National Marine Fisheries 
Service and determined to be acceptable;
    (3) A determination by the National Marine Fisheries Service that 
the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures required under 
Sec. Sec. 216.174 and 216.175 and the Letter of Authorization were 
undertaken and will be undertaken during the upcoming period of validity 
of a renewed Letter of Authorization; and
    (4) Renewal of a Letter of Authorization will be based on a 
determination that the number of marine mammals taken by the activity 
continues to be small and that the number of marine mammals taken by the 
activity, specified in Sec. 216.170(b), will have no more than a 
negligible impact on the species or stock of affected marine mammal(s).
    (b) A notice of issuance or denial of a renewal of a Letter of 
Authorization will be published in the Federal Register within 30 days 
of a determination.
Sec. 216.178  Modifications to a letter of authorization.
    (a) In addition to complying with the provisions of Sec. Sec. 
216.106 and 216.176, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this 
section, no substantive modification (including withdrawal or 
suspension) to the Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. Sec. 
216.106 and 216.176 and subject to the provisions of this subpart shall 
be made by the National Marine Fisheries Service until after a 
notification and an opportunity for public comment has been provided. 
For purposes of this paragraph, a renewal of a Letter of Authorization 
under Sec. 216.177 without modification, except for the period of 
validity, is not considered a substantive modification.
    (b) If the Assistant Administrator determines that an emergency 
exists that poses a significant risk to the well-being of the species or 
stocks of marine mammals specified in Sec. 216.170(b), a
[[Page 74]]
Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 
216.176 may be substantively modified without prior notification and an 
opportunity for public comment. Notification will be published in the 
Federal Register within 30 days subsequent to the action.
  Subpart Q_Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Operations of 
  Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS 
                               LFA) Sonar
    Source: 67 FR 46785, July 16, 2002, unless otherwise noted.
    Effective Date Note: At 67 FR 46785, July 16, 2002, subpart Q was 
added, effective Aug. 15, 2002, through Aug. 15, 2007.
Sec. 216.180  Specified activity and specified geographical region.
    Regulations in this subpart apply only to the incidental taking of 
those marine mammal species specified in paragraph (b) of this section 
by the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, while engaged in the operation 
of no more than two SURTASS LFA sonar systems conducting active sonar 
operations, in areas specified in paragraph (a) of this section. The 
authorized activities, as specified in a Letter of Authorization issued 
under Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 216.188, include the transmission of low 
frequency sounds from the SURTASS LFA sonar and the transmission of high 
frequency sounds from the mitigation sonar described in Sec. 216.185 
during training, testing, and routine military operations of SURTASS LFA 
sonar.
    (a) With the exception of those areas specified in Sec. 216.183(d), 
the incidental taking by harassment may be authorized in the following 
areas as specified in a Letter of Authorization:
    (1) Atlantic Polar Biome:
    (i) Boreal Polar Province (1/BPLR)(i.e., LFA sonar 180-dB exclusion 
zone);
    (ii) Atlantic Arctic Province (2/ARCT);
    (iii) Atlantic Subarctic Province (3/SARC);
    (2) North Atlantic Coastal Biome:
    (i) Northeast Atlantic Shelves Province (11/NECS),
    (A) North/Irish Sea Subprovince,
    (B) English Channel Subprovince,
    (C) Southern Outer Shelf Subprovince,
    (D) Northern Outer Shelf Subprovince, and
    (E) Baltic Subprovince; and
    (ii) Northwest Atlantic Shelves Province (15/NWCS),
    (A) Newfoundland/Nova Scotia Shelf Subprovince,
    (B) Gulf of St. Lawrence Coastal Subprovince,
    (C) Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy Coastal Subprovince,
    (D) Georges Bank/New York Bight Coastal Subprovince,
    (E) Middle Atlantic Bight Coastal Subprovince,
    (F) South Atlantic Bight Coastal Subprovince;
    (3) South Atlantic Coastal Biome:
    (i) Benguela Current Coastal Province (22/BENG);
    (ii) Brazil Current Coastal Province (20/BRAZ);
    (iii) Eastern (Canary) Coastal Province (12/CNRY);
    (iv) Southwest Atlantic Shelves Province (21/FKLD);
    (v) Guianas Coastal Province (14/GUIA);
    (vi) Guinea Current Coastal Province (13/GUIN),
    (A) Guiana Coastal Subprovince, and
    (B) Central African Coastal Subprovince;
    (4) Atlantic Westerly Winds Biome:
    (i) Gulf Stream Province (5/GFST);
    (ii) North Atlantic Drift Province (4/NADR);
    (iii) North Atlantic Subtropical Gyral East Province (18/NASTE); and
    (iv) North Atlantic Subtropical Gyral West Province (6/NASTW);
    (5) Atlantic Trade Wind Biome:
    (i) Caribbean Province (17/CARB);
    (A) Gulf of Mexico Subprovince;
    (B) Caribbean Sea Subprovince;
    (ii) Eastern Tropical Atlantic Province (9/ETRA);
    (iii) North Atlantic Tropical Gyral Province (7/NATR);
    (iv) South Atlantic Gyral Province (10/SATL);
    (v) Western Tropical Atlantic Province (8/WTRA);
    (6) Mediterranean/Black Sea Biome:
    (i) Mediterranean Sea Province (16A/MEDI);
[[Page 75]]
    (ii) Black Sea Province (16B/BLSE);
    (7) Indian Ocean Coastal Biome:
    (i) Australia/Indonesia Coastal Province (37/AUSW);
    (ii) Eastern India Coastal Province (35/INDE);
    (iii) Northwestern Arabian Upwelling Province (34/ARAB);
    (iv) Eastern Africa Coastal Province (32/EAFR);
    (v) Western India Coastal Province (36/INDW);
    (vi) Red Sea, Persian Gulf Province (33/REDS);
    (8) Indian Ocean Trade Wind Biome:
    (i) Indian South Subtropical Gyre Province (31/ISSG);
    (ii) Indian Monsoon Gyres Province (30/MONS);
    (9) North Pacific Coastal Biome:
    (i) Alaska Downwelling Coastal Province (65/ALSK),
    (A) Canadian/Alaskan Coastal Subprovince,
    (B) Aleutian Stream Coastal Subprovince,
    (ii) California Current Province (66/CALC),
    (A) Oregon-British Columbia Coastal Subprovince,
    (B) Point Conception/Cape Mendicino Coastal Subprovince,
    (C) Southern California Bight Subprovince, and
    (D) Baja California Subprovince;
    (iii) Central American Coastal Province (67/CAMR);
    (iv) China Sea Coastal Province (69/CHIN);
    (10) South Pacific Coastal Biome:
    (i) East Australian Coastal Province (71/AUSE);
    (ii) Humboldt Current Coastal Province (68/HUMB);
    (A) Chilean Coastal Subprovince and
    (B) Peruvian Coastal Subprovince;
    (iii) New Zealand Coastal Province (72/NEWZ);
    (iv) Sunda/Arafura Shelves Province (70/SUND);
    (11) Pacific Polar Biome:
    (i) North Pacific Epicontinental Sea Province (50/BERS);
    (A) Bering Sea Subprovince;
    (B) Okhotsk Sea Subprovince;
    (ii) Reserved;
    (12) Pacific Trade Wind Biome:
    (i) Archipelagic Deep Basins Province (64/ARCH);
    (ii) North Pacific Tropical Gyre West Province (56/NPTGW);
    (iii) North Pacific Tropical Gyre East Province (60/NPTGE);
    (iv) Pacific Equatorial Divergence Province (62/PEQD);
    (v) North Pacific Equatorial Countercurrent Province (61/PNEC);
    (vi) South Pacific Subtropical Gyre Province (59/SPGS);
    (vii) Western Pacific Warm Pool Province (63/WARM);
    (13) Pacific Westerly Winds Biome:
    (i) Kuroshio Current Province (53/KURO);
    (ii) North Pacific Transition Zone Province (54/NPPF);
    (iii) Pacific Subarctic Gyres (East) Province (51/PSAGE);
    (iv) Pacific Subarctic Gyres (West) Province (52/PSAGW);
    (14) Antarctic Westerly Winds Biome:
    (i) Subantarctic Water Ring Province (81/SANT),
    (A) Atlantic Subantarctic Ring Subprovince;
    (B) Indian Ocean Subantarctic Ring Subprovince;
    (C) Pacific Ocean Subantarctic Water Ring Subprovince;
    (ii) Subtropical Convergence Province (80/SSTC),
    (A) Atlantic South Subtropical Convergence Subprovince;
    (B) Indian Ocean South Subtropical Convergence Subprovince;
    (C) Pacific Ocean South Subtropical Convergence Subprovince;
    (iii) Tasman Sea Province (58/TASM);
    (15) Antarctic Polar Biome: (SURTASS LFA sonar exclusion zone);
    (i) Antarctic Province (82/ANTA)
    (ii) Austral Polar Province (83/APLR).
    (b) The incidental take by Level A and Level B harassment of marine 
mammals under the activity identified in this section is limited to the 
following species and species groups:
    (1) Mysticete whales--blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whale 
(Balaenoptera physalus), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), 
Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), 
humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), northern right whale (Eubalaena 
glacialis), southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), pygmy right 
whale (Capera
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marginata), bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), and gray whales 
(Eschrichtius robustus).
    (2) Odontocete whales--Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), rough-
toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis 
hosei), right-whale dolphin (Lissodelphis spp.), bottlenose dolphin 
(Tursiops truncatus), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Dall's 
porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), 
beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), Stenella spp. Lagenorhynchus spp., 
Cephalorhynchus spp. melon-headed whale (Peponocephala spp.), beaked 
whales (Berardius spp., Hyperoodon spp., Mesoplodon spp.), Cuvier's 
beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), Shepard's beaked whale (Tasmacetus 
shepherdi), Longman's beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus), killer whale 
(Orcinus orca), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), pygmy killer 
whale (Feresa attenuata), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), dwarf 
and pygmy sperm whales (Kogia simus and K. breviceps), and short-finned 
and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus and G. melas).
    (3) Pinnipeds--harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), spotted seals (P. 
largha), ribbon seals (P. fasciata), gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), 
hooded seal (Cystophora cristata), elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris and M. leonina). Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus 
schauinslandi), Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus), northern 
fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus); southern fur seals (Arctocephalus 
spp.), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus), Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea), New 
Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri), and South American sea lions 
(Otaria flavescens).
Sec. 216.181  Effective dates.
    Regulations in this subpart are effective from August 15, 2002 
through August 15, 2007.
Sec. 216.182  Permissible methods of taking.
    (a) Under Letters of Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. Sec. 
216.106 and 216.188, the Holder of the Letter of Authorization may 
incidentally, but not intentionally, take marine mammals by Level A and 
Level B harassment within the areas described in Sec. 216.180(a), 
provided the activity is in compliance with all terms, conditions, and 
requirements of these regulations and the appropriate Letter of 
Authorization.
    (b) The activities identified in Sec. 216.180 must be conducted in 
a manner that minimizes, to the greatest extent practicable, any adverse 
impacts on marine mammals, their habitat, and the availability of marine 
mammals for subsistence uses.
Sec. 216.183  Prohibitions.
    Notwithstanding takings authorized by Sec. 216.180 and by a Letter 
of Authorization issued under Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 216.188, no person 
in connection with the activities described in Sec. 216.180 shall:
    (a) Take any marine mammal not specified in Sec. 216.180(b);
    (b) Take any marine mammal specified in Sec. 216.180(b) other than 
by incidental, unintentional Level A and Level B harassment;
    (c) Take any marine mammal by receiving a sound pressure level 
greater than 180 dB while operating under a Letter of Authorization in 
any geographic area for which a Letter of Authorization has not been 
issued;
    (d) Take a marine mammal specified in Sec. 216.180(b) if such 
taking results in more than a negligible impact on the species or stocks 
of such marine mammal; or
    (e) Violate, or fail to comply with, the terms, conditions, and 
requirements of the regulations in this subpart or any Letter of 
Authorization issued under Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 216.188.
Sec. 216.184  Mitigation.
    The activity identified in Sec. 216.180(a) must be conducted in a 
manner that minimizes, to the greatest extent practicable, adverse 
impacts on marine mammals and their habitats. When conducting operations 
identified in Sec. 216.180, the mitigation measures described in this 
section and in any Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. Sec. 
216.106 and 216.188 must be implemented.
    (a) Through monitoring described under Sec. 216.185, the Holder of 
a Letter of
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Authorization will ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that no 
marine mammal is subjected to a sound pressure level of 180 dB or 
greater.
    (b) If a marine mammal is detected within the area subjected to 
sound pressure levels of 180 dB or greater (safety zone) or within the 1 
km (0.5 nm) (buffer) zone extending beyond the 180-dB safety zone, 
SURTASS LFA sonar transmissions will be immediately delayed or 
suspended. Transmissions will not resume earlier than 15 minutes after:
    (1) All marine mammals have left the area of the safety and buffer 
zones; and
    (2) There is no further detection of any marine mammal within the 
safety and buffer zones as determined by the visual and/or passive or 
active acoustic monitoring described in Sec. 216.185.
    (c) The high-frequency marine mammal monitoring sonar (HF/M3) 
described in Sec. 216.185 will be ramped-up slowly to operating levels 
over a period of no less than 5 minutes:
    (1) At least 30 minutes prior to any SURTASS LFA sonar 
transmissions;
    (2) Prior to any SURTASS LFA sonar calibrations or testings that are 
not part of regular SURTASS LFA sonar transmissions described in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section; and
    (3) Anytime after the HF/M3 source has been powered down for more 
than 2 minutes.
    (d) The HF/M3 source will not increase its sound pressure level once 
a marine mammal is detected; ramp-up may proceed once marine mammals are 
no longer detected.
    (e) The Holder of a Letter of Authorization will not operate the 
SURTASS LFA sonar while under a Letter of Authorization, such that the 
SURTASS LFA sonar sound field exceeds 180 dB (re 1 [micro]Pa(rms)):
    (1) At a distance of 12 nautical miles (nm) (22 kilometers (km)) 
from any coastline, including offshore islands;
    (2) Within any offshore area that has been designated as 
biologically important for marine mammals under Sec. 216.183(f), during 
the biologically important season for that particular area;
    (3) Within the offshore boundaries that extend beyond 12 nm (22 km) 
of the following National Marine Sanctuaries:
    (i) Monterey Bay,
    (ii) Gulf of the Farallones, and
    (iii) Cordell Bank;
    (4) Within 23 nm (37.4 km) during the months of December, January, 
March, and May of each year in the Olympic Coast National Marine 
Sanctuary.
    (f) The following areas have been designated by NMFS as offshore 
areas of critical biological importance for marine mammals (by season if 
appropriate):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Months of
          Name of area             Location of area       importance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 200-m isobath North American  From 28[deg] N. to  Year-Round.
 East Coast.                       50[deg] N. west
                                   of 40[deg] W.
(2) Antarctic Convergence Zone..  30[deg] E. to       October 1 through
                                   80[deg] E to        March 31.
                                   45[deg] S.
                                   80[deg] E. to
                                   150[deg] E. to
                                   55[deg] S.
                                   150[deg] E. to
                                   50[deg] W. to
                                   60[deg] S.
                                   50[deg] W to
                                   30[deg] E. to
                                   50[deg] S.
(3) Costa Rica Dome.............  Centered at 9[deg]  Year-Round.
                                   N. and 88[deg] W.
(4) Penguin Bank................  Centered at         November 1 through
                                   21[deg] N. and      May 1.
                                   157[deg]30[min] W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 216.185  Requirements for monitoring.
    (a) In order to mitigate the taking of marine mammals by SURTASS LFA 
sonar to the greatest extent practicable, the Holder of a Letter of 
Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 216.188 must:
    (1) Conduct visual monitoring from the ship's bridge during all 
daylight hours;
    (2) Use low frequency passive SURTASS LFA sonar to listen for 
vocalizing marine mammals; and
    (3) Use the HF/M3 sonar to locate and track marine mammals in 
relation to the SURTASS LFA sonar vessel and the sound field produced by 
the SURTASS LFA sonar source array.
    (b) Monitoring under paragraph (a) of this section must:
    (1) Commence at least 30 minutes before the first SURTASS LFA sonar 
transmission;
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    (2) Continue between transmission pings; and
    (3) Continue either for at least 15 minutes after completion of the 
SURTASS LFA sonar transmission exercise, or, if marine mammals are 
exhibiting unusual behavioral patterns, for a period of time until 
behavior patterns return to normal or conditions prevent continued 
observations;
    (c) Holders of Letters of Authorization for activities described in 
Sec. 216.180 are required to cooperate with the National Marine 
Fisheries Service and any other federal agency for monitoring the 
impacts of the activity on marine mammals.
    (d) Holders of Letters of Authorization must designate qualified on-
site individuals to conduct the mitigation, monitoring and reporting 
activities specified in the Letter of Authorization.
    (e) Holders of Letters of Authorization must conduct all monitoring 
and research required under the Letter of Authorization.
Sec. 216.186  Requirements for reporting.
    (a) The Holder of the Letter of Authorization must submit quarterly 
mission reports to the Director, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, no 
later than 30 days after the end of each quarter beginning on the date 
of effectiveness of a Letter of Authorization or as specified in the 
appropriate Letter of Authorization. Each quarterly mission report will 
include all active-mode missions completed during that quarter. At a 
minimum, each classified mission report must contain the following 
information:
    (1) Dates, times, and location of the vessel during the mission;
    (2) Information on sonar transmissions as detailed in the Letter of 
Authorization; and
    (3) Results of the marine mammal monitoring program specified in the 
Letter of Authorization.
    (b) The Holder of a Letter of Authorization must submit an annual 
report to the Director, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, no later 
than 90 days prior to expiration of a Letter of Authorization. This 
report must contain all the information required by the Letter of 
Authorization.
    (c) A final comprehensive report must be submitted to the Director, 
Office of Protected Resources, NMFS at least 240 days prior to 
expiration of these regulations. In addition to containing all the 
information required by any final year Letter of Authorization, this 
report must contain an analysis of new passive technologies and an 
assessment of whether such a system is feasible as an alternative to 
SURTASS LFA sonar.
Sec. 216.187  Applications for Letters of Authorization.
    (a) To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to these 
regulations, the U.S. Navy authority conducting the activity identified 
in Sec. 216.180 must apply for and obtain a Letter of Authorization in 
accordance with Sec. 216.106.
    (b) The application for an initial or a renewal of a Letter of 
Authorization must be submitted to the Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, at least 60 days before the date that either the vessel 
is scheduled to begin conducting SURTASS LFA sonar operations or the 
previous Letter of Authorization is scheduled to expire.
    (c) All applications for a Letter of Authorization must include the 
following information:
    (1) The date(s), duration, and the specified geographical region 
where the vessel's activity will occur;
    (2) The species and/or stock(s) of marine mammals likely to be found 
within each specified geographical region;
    (3) The type of incidental taking authorization requested (i.e., 
take by Level A and/or Level B harassment);
    (4) The estimated percentage of marine mammal species/stocks 
potentially affected in each specified geographic region for the 12-
month period of effectiveness of the Letter of Authorization; and
    (5) The means of accomplishing the necessary monitoring and 
reporting that will result in increased knowledge of the species and the 
level of taking or impacts on marine mammal populations.
    (d) The National Marine Fisheries Service will review an application 
for a Letter of Authorization in accordance with Sec. 216.104(b) and, 
if adequate and
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complete, issue a Letter of Authorization.
Sec. 216.188  Letters of Authorization.
    (a) A Letter of Authorization, unless suspended or revoked will be 
valid for a period of time not to exceed one year, but may be renewed 
annually subject to annual renewal conditions in Sec. 216.189.
    (b) Each Letter of Authorization will set forth:
    (1) Permissible methods of incidental taking;
    (2) Authorized geographic areas for incidental takings;
    (3) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the 
species of marine mammals authorized for taking, their habitat, and the 
availability of the species for subsistence uses; and
    (4) Requirements for monitoring and reporting incidental takes.
    (c) Issuance of each Letter of Authorization will be based on a 
determination that the number of marine mammals taken by the activity 
will be small, that the total number of marine mammals taken by the 
activity specified in Sec. 216.180 as a whole will have no more than a 
negligible impact on the species or stock of affected marine mammal(s), 
and that the total taking will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on 
the availability of species or stocks of marine mammals for taking for 
subsistence uses.
    (d) Notice of issuance or denial of an application for a Letter of 
Authorization will be published in the Federal Register within 30 days 
of a determination.
Sec. 216.189  Renewal of Letters of Authorization.
    (a) A Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. 216.106 and Sec. 
216.188 for the activity identified in Sec. 216.180 will be renewed 
annually upon:
    (1) Notification to NMFS that the activity described in the 
application submitted under Sec. 216.187 will be undertaken and that 
there will not be a substantial modification to the described work, 
mitigation or monitoring undertaken during the upcoming season;
    (2) Notification to NMFS of the information identified in Sec. 
216.187(c), including the planned geographic area(s), and anticipated 
duration of each SURTASS LFA sonar operation;
    (3) Timely receipt of the monitoring reports required under Sec. 
216.185, which have been reviewed by NMFS and determined to be 
acceptable;
    (4) A determination by NMFS that the mitigation, monitoring and 
reporting measures required under Sec. Sec. 216.184 and 216.185 and the 
Letter of Authorization were undertaken and will be undertaken during 
the upcoming annual period of validity of a renewed Letter of 
Authorization; and
    (5) A determination by NMFS that the number of marine mammals taken 
by the activity continues to be small, that the total number of marine 
mammals taken by the activity specified in Sec. 216.180, as a whole 
will have no more than a negligible impact on the species or stock of 
affected marine mammal(s), and that the total taking will not have an 
unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of species or stocks of 
marine mammals for taking for subsistence uses.
    (b) If a request for a renewal of a Letter of Authorization issued 
under Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 216.188 indicates that a substantial 
modification to the described work, mitigation or monitoring will occur, 
or if NMFS proposes a substantial modification to the Letter of 
Authorization, NMFS will provide a period of 30 days for public review 
and comment on the proposed modification. Amending the list of areas for 
upcoming SURTASS LFA sonar operations is not considered a substantial 
modification to the Letter of Authorization.
    (c) A notice of issuance or denial of a renewal of a Letter of 
Authorization will be published in the Federal Register within 30 days 
of a determination.
Sec. 216.190  Modifications to Letters of Authorization.
    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no 
substantial modification (including withdrawal or suspension) to a 
Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 
216.188 and subject to the provisions of this subpart shall be made by 
NMFS until after notification and an opportunity for public comment has 
been provided.
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For purposes of this paragraph, a renewal of a Letter of Authorization 
under Sec. 216.189, without modification, except for the period of 
validity and a listing of planned operating areas, or for moving the 
authorized SURTASS LFA sonar system from one ship to another, is not 
considered a substantial modification.
    (b) If the National Marine Fisheries Service determines that an 
emergency exists that poses a significant risk to the well-being of the 
species or stocks of marine mammals specified in Sec. 216.180(b), a 
Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 
216.188 may be substantially modified without prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment. Notification will be published in the 
Federal Register within 30 days subsequent to the action.
Sec. 216.191  Designation of Biologically Important Marine Mammal 
          Areas.
    (a) Biologically important areas for marine mammals may be nominated 
under this paragraph by the National Marine Fisheries Service or by the 
public.
    (b) In order for the National Marine Fisheries Service to designate 
offshore areas of biological importance for marine mammals under this 
rule, proponents must petition NMFS by requesting an area be added to 
the list of biologically important areas in Sec. 216.184(f) and 
submitting the following information:
    (1) Geographic region proposed for consideration (including 
geographic boundaries);
    (2) A list of marine mammals within the proposed geographic region;
    (3) Whether the proposal is for year-round designation or seasonal, 
and if seasonal, months of years for proposed designation;
    (4) Detailed information on the biology of marine mammals within the 
area, including estimated population size, distribution, density, 
status, and the principal biological activity during the proposed period 
of designation sufficient for NMFS to make a preliminary determination 
that the area is biologically important for marine mammals; and
    (5) Detailed information on the area with regard to its importance 
for either primary feeding, breeding, or migration for those species of 
marine mammals that have the potential to be affected by low frequency 
sounds;
    (c) Areas within 12 nm (22 km) of any coastline, including offshore 
islands, or within non-operating areas for SURTASS LFA sonar are not 
eligible for consideration;
    (d) If a petition is received without sufficient information for the 
National Marine Fisheries Service to proceed, NMFS will determine 
whether the nominated area warrants further study. If so, NMFS will 
begin a scientific review of the area.
    (e)(1) If through a petition or independently, NMFS makes a 
preliminary determination that an area is biologically important for 
marine mammals and is not located within a previously designated area, 
NMFS will propose to add the area to Sec. 216.184(f) and provide a 
public comment period of at least 45 days from the date of publication 
in the Federal Register.
    (2) The National Marine Fisheries Service will publish its final 
determination in the Federal Register.
                        PARTS 217-221 [RESERVED]