[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 50, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 50CFR600.512]

[Page 69-70]
 
                    TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
 
                         DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
 
PART 600--MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT PROVISIONS--Table of Contents
 
                       Subpart F--Foreign Fishing
 
Sec. 600.512  Scientific research.

    (a) Scientific research activity. Persons planning to conduct 
scientific research activities in the EEZ that may be confused with 
fishing are encouraged to submit to the appropriate Regional 
Administrator, Director, or designee, 60 days or as soon as practicable 
prior to its start, a scientific research plan for each scientific 
cruise. The Regional Administrator, Director, or designee will 
acknowledge notification of scientific research activity by issuing to 
the operator or master of that vessel, or to the sponsoring institution, 
a letter of acknowledgment. This letter of acknowledgment is separate 
and distinct from any permit required under

[[Page 70]]

any other applicable law. If the Regional Administrator, Director, or 
designee, after review of a research plan, determines that it does not 
constitute scientific research activity, but rather fishing, the 
Regional Administrator, Director, or designee will inform the applicant 
as soon as practicable and in writing. The Regional Administrator, 
Director, or designee may also make recommendations to revise the 
research plan to make the cruise acceptable as scientific research 
activity. In order to facilitate identification of activity as 
scientific research, persons conducting scientific research activities 
are advised to carry a copy of the scientific research plan and the 
letter of acknowledgment on board the scientific research vessel. 
Activities conducted in accordance with a scientific research plan 
acknowledged by such a letter are presumed to be scientific research 
activities. The presumption may be overcome by showing that an activity 
does not fit the definition of scientific research activity or is 
outside the scope of the scientific research plan.
    (b) Reports. Persons conducting scientific research are requested to 
submit a copy of any cruise report or other publication created as a 
result of the cruise, including the amount, composition, and disposition 
of their catch, to the appropriate Science and Research Director.

[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]