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
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).
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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
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these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.