The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service seeks public comment on the deterrence provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. To inform development of these national guidelines, NMFS published a notice in the Federal Register on December 16, 2014 (79 FR 74710) to request input on which deterrents the public would like NMFS to evaluate and consider for approval.
The comment period ends on January 15, 2015.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) allows for private citizens to employ measures to deter marine mammals from damaging fishing gear and catch,damaging personal or public property, or endangering personal safety, as long as these measures do not result in death or serious injury of marine mammals. The MMPA also directs the Secretary of Commerce, through NOAA Fisheries, to develop national guidelines on safely deterring marine mammals under NMFS’ jurisdiction (e.g., whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions).
To inform development of these national guidelines, NMFS requests input on which deterrents the public would like NOAA Fisheries to evaluate and consider for approval. Any subsequent national guidelines for safely deterring marine mammals would then be released for public notice and comment as required by the MMPA.
Click here to read NMFS’ publication seeking comment on the MMPA deterrence provisions.
