NOAA comment request on marine mammal injury and death reporting for commercial fisheries
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
Keeps in place NOAA’s reporting system for commercial fishing operations that injure or kill marine mammals during fishing activity. The reports help NOAA measure the impact of fisheries on marine mammal populations and classify fisheries into risk categories under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Commercial fishers and other affected operators must continue reporting marine mammal injuries or deaths using approved paper or electronic forms. NOAA is asking for public comments on the paperwork burden and usefulness of the collection by July 6, 2026; comments should reference OMB Control Number 0648-0292.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Renews an existing NOAA information collection for marine mammal injury and death reports linked to commercial fishing
- Confirms that reporting remains mandatory for all three fishery categories when a marine mammal is injured or killed
- Opens a public comment period on the reporting burden, form usefulness, and possible ways to simplify submission
Obligations
What this law requires
Report any injury to or mortality of a marine mammal incidental to commercial fishing activities to NMFS using the OMB-approved reporting form.
Obtain authorization to take marine mammals if participating in a Category I or Category II commercial fishery under the Marine Mammal Protection Act List of Fisheries.
If submitting comments on the information collection, ensure comments are received by NOAA on or before July 6, 2026 to be considered.
If submitting comments by email, reference OMB Control Number 0648-0292 in the subject line.
Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information in public comments.