NOAA Fisheries

Marine Mammal Authorization Program Registration (MMAP)

Human-caused mortality and injury of marine mammals is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, except under certain circumstances. The Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP) provides an annual exemption for the accidental injury or mortality of marine mammals that occurs during commercial fishing operations. However, this exemption does not include marine mammal stocks listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

To lawfully, incidentally take a non-ESA listed marine mammal in a commercial fishery, a fishing permit holder in a Category I or II fishery (see annual List of Fisheries for fishery categorization) must obtain an MMAP Exemption Certificate from NMFS each calendar year.

Killer whales. Photo: Josh Keaton, NOAA Fisheries

Fishermen and MMAP Exemption Certificates

At the beginning of each calendar year, NMFS automatically sends to each commercial fishery permit holder registered in a Category I or II fishery - managed either by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game or NMFS - a free MMAP Exemption Certificate, together with the terms and conditions of the authorization, and a marine mammal mortality and injury reporting form. The MMAP certificate must be physically accessible to the permit holder while fishing. MMAP certificates are valid for that calendar year, and will only be valid if presented along with a valid fishing permit.

Marine Mammal Mortality and Injury Report Form

The Mortality and Injury Report is only required to be submitted when an incidental mortality or injury to a marine mammal occurs during commercial fishing activities. Permit holders in Category I, II, or III fisheries are required to report an incidental mortality or injury within 48 hours after the end of the fishing trip, or, for non-vessel fisheries, within 48 hours of an occurrence of an incidental mortality or injury. A separate report form is required for each fishery, for each date, and for each location. Permit holders must submit a report for each incidental injury or mortality even if an observer is assigned to the vessel or set net site during the day in which the take occurs.

Category III fishery participants are automatically exempted from the incidental take prohibition. Therefore, they do not need to maintain an MMAP certificate aboard their vessels or at their set net site. However, Category III participants must report any incidental takes of marine mammals within 48 hours of the incident or return to port. Such reports must be made on reporting form noted above.

Category I or II fishery permit holders who do not receive an MMAP Exemption Certificate by January 1 of each year, should call NOAA Fisheries to request one at (907) 586-7236.

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