NOAA Renews Fishery Marine Mammal Harm Reporting Rules
Published Date: 10/5/2026
Notice
Summary
If you run a commercial fishing business or are involved in fishing, you need to keep reporting any accidental harm to marine mammals. NOAA is renewing the rules that require this reporting to help protect these animals and decide which fisheries need special permits. About 200 folks spend just 15 minutes each time they report, with no new fees or big changes coming.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory marine mammal incident reporting continues
If you operate a commercial fishing business or fish commercially, you must continue to report any accidental injury or death of marine mammals to the National Marine Fisheries Service. The collection is being renewed for 200 respondents, with an average of 15 minutes per response and a total annual burden of 50 hours; reporting is mandatory and is done on occasion using an OMB-approved form.
Reports determine fishery category and permit needs
The reported information is used to classify commercial fisheries into Marine Mammal Protection Act Categories I, II, or III. Participants in Categories I and II must be authorized to take marine mammals, while Category III participants are exempt; all three categories must report injuries or mortalities using the OMB-approved form.
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