The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., Sections 1371, 1373, 1374 and 1379 attached), mandates the protection and conservation of marine mammals and makes the taking, killing or serious injury of marine mammals, except under permit or exemption, a violation of the Act. An exemption is provided for Alaskan natives to take marine mammals if the taking is for subsistence or for creating and selling authentic native articles of handicraft and clothing. Possession of marine mammals and marine mammal parts by other than Alaskan natives is therefore prohibited (exception, 50 CFR 216.26: beach found non Endangered Species Act (ESA) teeth or bones that have been registered with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)). As native handicrafts are allowed by the MMPA to enter interstate commerce, an exemption is also needed to allow non-natives to handle the skins or other marine mammal produce, whether to tan the pinniped hide or to act as an agent for the native to sell his handicraft products.
US Code:
16 USC 1361
Name of Law: Marine Mammal Protection Act
Adjustments were made to account for the gradually decreasing number of respondents over the past few years.
$500
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Les Cockreham 9072713021
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.