The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has launched a new option in the Authorizations and Permits for Protected Species online permit system (“APPS”). You may now apply for a Letter of Confirmation under the General Authorization for marine mammal research.
You may need an LOC if you will be conducting scientific research on marine mammals in the wild that are not listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and your research will not exceed Level B harassment. Qualifying activities may include: photo-identification, aerial surveys, and passive acoustics.
If you currently have an LOC from NOAA Fisheries, you can use APPS to request modifications to your LOC; view your current personnel and request personnel changes; request authorization to allow a film crew to accompany you during research; submit annual reports online and track when they are due; and receive automatic email reminders for report due dates and notification to prepare a new Letter of Intent before your LOC expires.
APPS provides a consolidated location where researchers can apply online for several different types of permits under the authority of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act MMPA of 1972. APPS covers permits/authorizations for a variety of different species including, but not limited to, sea turtles, Pacific salmonids, sturgeon, whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions.
Click here for more information on APPS.
