[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 50, Volume 7]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 50CFR229.5]

[Page 602-603]
 
                    TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
 
  CHAPTER II--NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND 
           ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
 
PART 229_AUTHORIZATION FOR COMMERCIAL FISHERIES UNDER THE MARINE 
 
                      Subpart A_General Provisions
 
Sec. 229.5  Requirements for Category III fisheries.

    (a) General. Vessel owners and crew members of such vessels engaged 
only in Category III fisheries may incidentally take marine mammals 
without registering for or receiving an Authorization Certificate.
    (b) Reporting. Vessel owners engaged in a Category III fishery must 
comply with the reporting requirements specified in Sec. 229.6.
    (c) Disposition of marine mammals. Any marine mammal incidentally 
taken must be immediately returned to the sea with a minimum of further 
injury unless directed otherwise by NMFS personnel, a designated 
contractor, or an official observer, or authorized otherwise by a 
scientific research permit in the possession of the operator.
    (d) Monitoring. Vessel owners engaged in a Category III fishery must 
comply with the observer requirements specified under Sec. 229.7(d).
    (e) Deterrence. When necessary to deter a marine mammal from 
damaging fishing gear, catch, or other private property, or from 
endangering personal safety, vessel owners and crew members engaged in 
commercial fishing operations must comply with all deterrence provisions 
set forth in the Act and all guidelines and prohibitions published 
thereunder.
    (f) Self-defense. When imminently necessary in self-defense or to 
save the life of a person in immediate danger, a marine mammal may be 
lethally taken if such taking is reported to NMFS in accordance with the 
requirements of Sec. 229.6.
    (g) Emergency regulations. Vessel owners engaged in a Category III 
fishery

[[Page 603]]

must comply with any applicable emergency regulations.

[60 FR 45100, Aug. 30, 1995, as amended at 64 FR 9087, Feb. 24, 1999]