Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP) for Commercial Fishermen

The goals of the Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP) are to:

• inform commercial fishermen they are participating in a List of Fisheries Category I or II Fishery
• describe the process for creation of the Annual List of Fisheries
• register and exempt Category I and II fishermen from Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibitions against incidental take of marine mammals in Category I and II Fisheries (Category III fishermen are not required to register and do not need an exemption)
• ensure affected fishermen carry an MMAP Authorization Certificate on board (download Certificate here)-- Additional Information about the Certificate (pdf).
• inform affected fishermen they may need to carry a NMFS observer
• increase fishermen self-reporting of incidental take of marine mammals (Report form download here)
• encourage commercial fishermen to learn more about interactions between marine mammals and fishing gear

Where is the List of Fisheries?

• Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico Quick Reference List of Fisheries (Category I and II only)
• All US Waters Complete List of Fisheries (Category I, II and III) is available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/lof/

Who is affected?

Commercial fishermen in Category I and II Fisheries are required by law to

• be registered in the Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP)
• carry on an MMAP Authorization Certificate when fishing
• be prepared to carry a NMFS observer when requested

Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP) for Commercial Fishermen

Commercial fishermen in Category I, II and III Fisheries are required by law to

• self-report incidental take that results in marine mammal serious injury or death (download Reporting Form here)

All fishermen in Category I, II and III Fisheries are recommended to

• learn more about how to avoid interactions with marine mammals when fishing

How do I get registered?

Most commercial fishermen in the NMFS Southeast Region are registered automatically (integrated registration).  Any person holding a permit for a Category I or II fishery in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas or federal (US fisheries) waters is automatically registered in MMAP.  Integrated, registration is beneficial because:

• commercial fishermen do not pay a $25 registration fee to NMFS
• commercial fishermen do not have to supply tax id numbers for MMAP
• commercial fishermen are reminded yearly to update Authorization Certificates

Commercial fishermen who believe they should be registered but have not been, or who want to verify they are registered in the NMFS Southeast Region (NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA and TX) should

• contact the NMFS SERO MMAP Hotline at 727-209-5952

Some commercial fishermen holding state or federal permits will be registered in error because permit information is outdated or erroneous, individuals hold permits that they will not actively fish, or because permits do not exactly match LOF categories.  There are no consequences for being registered in error.  However, fishermen registered in error who want to have their name removed from the MMAP registry should:

• contact the NMFS SERO MMAP Hotline at 727-209-5952

What about MMAP Authorization Certificates?

Category I and II commercial fishermen are required by law to carry a current Authorization Certificate on board their vessel or person (for non-vessel fisheries) when participating in the Listed fishery.  Certificates are available by

• download from the Internet click here and print the 2013 certificate
• e-mail or US post mail – contact the NMFS SERO MMAP Hotline and leave the address you would like the certificate sent to
• certificates must be on board by 01 January of each calendar year
• because of the regulatory process and timeline for the List of Fisheries, new-year certificates may not be available until mid-December

When do I file a Marine Mammal Injury/ Mortality Report?

Marine Mammal Injury/ Mortality Reports must be filed

• any time a Category I, II or III fishermen observes a marine mammal that is seriously injured or dead and has interacted with the fishing gear (for example, dead in the net or flukes wrapped with buoy line)
• within 48 hours of return to port
• on a Marine Mammal Injury / Mortality Reporting Form
• faxed or mailed to NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
  Office of Protected Resources (F/PR2)
  1315 East-West Highway
  Silver Spring MD  20910-3326
  fax:  301-427-2522
• forms and assistance are also available at the NMFS SERO MMAP Hotline, 727-209-5952

How do I get more information?

Marine Mammal Authorization Program Fact Sheet

Complete List of Fisheries from the Federal Register (50 CFR 74-58859)

Marine Mammal Protection Act implementing regulations (CFR)

2013 Authorization Certificate

Marine Mammal Injury / Mortality Report Form and Instructions (OMB 0648-0292)

NMFS Observer Fact Sheet

For Web Assistance or Hard Copies Please Contact the NMFS SERO MMAP Hotline: 727-209-5952