This informational webinar will provide a foundational overview of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) List of Fisheries (LOF.) Learn about the annual List of Fisheries process, how fisheries are classified, and the requirements to be classified on the List of Fisheries.

Date and time:
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 3:30 PM | (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Registration link:
https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/weblink/register/r04acece028f6f5c51c1e5a38596cabe9

NAA Editor Comment

The webinar was organized in response to requests made by the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, National Aquaculture Association and others for an interactive workshop to discuss a proposed regulation expanding the List of Fisheries to encompass additional marine aquaculture farming practices.  This webinar will be limited to the List of Fisheries and not a proposed rule. Audience questions will be restricted to clarifying the information presented.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires the National Marine Fisheries Service to create of a List of Fisheries categorizing a fishery as potentially resulting in: (i) frequent incidental taking of marine mammals, (ii) occasional incidental taking of marine mammals, or (iii) a remote likelihood of or no known incidental taking of marine mammals.  Once a fishery is categorized, an authorization certificate for incidental take may be granted.  In brief, the categories are:

Category I or II fisheries must register with the National Marine Fisheries Service to receive an authorization certificate for incidental take. The granting and administration of authorization certificates is integrated and coordinated with existing fishery license, registration, or permit systems and related programs. These programs may include, but are not limited to, state or interjurisdictional fisheries programs. Certificate holders may also receive written authorization, affix a provided boat decal, possess the authorization on-board vessels, must report interactions with marine mammals, and may be required to have an observer on-board.

Category III fisheries may incidentally take marine mammals without registering for or receiving an Authorization Certificate. They are required to report and may be required to have an observer on board.

The proposed List of Fisheries for 2025 includes additional marine aquaculture production practices:

Pacific Coast

• Category III: Alaska Invertebrate Aquaculture
• Category III: Alaska Macroalgae Aquaculture

Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Coasts

• Category II: Aquaculture Rafts
• Category II: Bottom Culture (trays/cages) with buoys
• Category II: Longline Aquaculture (suspended or floating cages)
• Category II: On-bottom/Off-bottom Culture (trays/cages) with buoys
• Category III: On-bottom/Off-bottom Culture (trays/cages) without buoys

To read the proposed rule and comment by midnight December 1, 2024, visit: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2024-0037. 

If you have questions or comments, please contact the NAA Office at naa@nationalaquaculture.org.