NOAAFinal Rule

Regulations Governing the Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals; CFR Correction

Environment

Summary

This regulation updates federal rules about catching, hunting, and bringing marine mammals (like whales, seals, and dolphins) into the United States. The changes ensure the rules are clear and consistent with current laws protecting these ocean animals.

Key Points

  • 1The regulation corrects and clarifies existing rules about which marine mammals can be taken (hunted or caught) and under what conditions
  • 2It affects fishermen, researchers, zoos, aquariums, and anyone else who legally interacts with marine mammals in U.S. waters
  • 3The rules control importing marine mammals and products from other countries to protect endangered species
  • 4Violations can result in fines and penalties for people or businesses that break the marine mammal protection laws
  • 5This is a technical correction to fix errors in previous versions of the regulation, not a major change in policy

Key Dates

Published

January 12, 2026

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.

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