Today, NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule to modify the regulations to remove the restriction that limits the maximum duration for Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) section 104 permits and Letters of Confirmation (LOCs) to a term of five years.
Under section 104 of the MMPA, NOAA Fisheries issues various types of permits for taking or importing marine mammals, including permits for scientific research, enhancement, public display, and commercial or educational photography, and LOCs under the general authorization for scientific research. Currently, the maximum duration for MMPA section 104 permits and LOCs is five years. The modification would remove the five year restriction and allow NOAA Fisheries to issue permits for longer periods of time, when appropriate. Individual permits would still have an expiration date, as required by the MMPA. The regulatory change would provide NOAA Fisheries with the flexibility to issue permits for terms greater than five years, in situations when a longer term would be appropriate. In some cases, permits and LOCs will continue to be issued for terms of five years or less. The public comment period for this rule is open from May 2, 2024 to June 3rd, 2024. Comments can be submitted here: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-09258/duration-of-certain-permits-and-letters-of-confirmation-under-the-marine-mammal-protection-act For questions, please contact me (sara.yo...@noaa.gov) or Carrie Hubard ( carrie.w.hub...@noaa.gov). *Sara Young* *Fishery Biologist* *Office of Protected Resources* *NOAA Fisheries* *U.S. Department of Commerce* (301) 427-8484 sara.yo...@noaa.gov
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