50 CFR Part 224 — Endangered Marine and Anadromous Species

PART 224—ENDANGERED MARINE AND ANADROMOUS SPECIES Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531-1543 and 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. Source: 64 FR 14066, Mar. 23, 1999, unless otherwise noted. § 224.101 Enumeration of endangered marine and anadromous species. (a) The regulations in this part identify the species under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Commerce that have been determined to be endangered species pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act, and provide for the conservation of such species by establishing rules and procedures to governing activities involving the species. (b) The regulations in this part apply only to the endangered species enumerated in this section. (c) The provisions of this part are in addition to, and not in lieu of, other regulations of parts 222 through 226 of this chapter which prescribe additional restrictions or conditions governing endangered species. (d) The table below identifies the species under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Commerce that have been determined to be endangered pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act, species treated as endangered because they are sufficiently similar in appearance to endangered species, and experimental populations of endangered species. (e) The columns entitled “Common name,” “Scientific name,” and “Description of listed entity” define the species within the meaning of the Act. In the “Common name” column, experimental populations are identified as “XE” for essential populations or “XN” for nonessential populations. Species listed based on similarity of appearance are identified as “S/A.” Although a column for “Common name” is included, common names cannot be relied upon for identification of any specimen, because they may vary greatly in local usage. The “Scientific name” column provides the most recently accepted scientific name, relying to the extent practicable on the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Federal Register (f) The “Citation(s) for listing determination(s)” column provides reference to the Federal Register Federal Register (g) The “Critical habitat” and “ESA rules” columns provide cross-references to other sections in this part and part 226. The term “NA” appearing in the “Critical habitat” column indicates that there are no critical habitat designations for that species; similarly, the term “NA” appearing in the “ESA rules” column indicates that there are no ESA rules for that species. However, all other applicable rules in parts 222 through 226 and part 402 still apply to that species. Also, there may be other rules in this title that relate to such wildlife. The “ESA rules” column is not intended to list all Federal, state, tribal, or local governmental regulations that may apply to the species. (h) The endangered species under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Commerce are: Species 1 Citation(s) for listing Critical ESA rules Common name Scientific name Description of listed entity Marine Mammals Dolphin, Atlantic humpback Sousa teuszii Entire species 89 FR 12980, 2/21/2024 NA NA Dolphin, Chinese River (aka baiji) Lipotes vexillifer Entire species 54 FR 22906, May 30, 1989 NA NA. Dolphin, Maui Cephalorhynchus hectori maui Entire subspecies 82 FR 43701, September 19, 2017 NA NA Dolphin, South Asian River (Indus River subspecies) Platanista gangetica minor Entire subspecies 55 FR 50835, Dec. 11, 1990 NA NA. Dolphin, Taiwanese humpback Sousa chinensis taiwanensis Entire subspecies 83 FR 21182, May 9, 2018 NA NA Porpoise, Gulf of California harbor (aka vaquita or cochito) Phocoena sinus Entire species 50 FR 1056, Jan. 9, 1985 NA NA. Sea lion, Steller (Western DPS) Eumetopias jubatus Steller sea lions born in the wild, west of 144° W. Long. Also, Steller sea lions born in captivity whose mother was born in the wild, west of 144° W. Long., and progeny of these captives 62 FR 24345, May 5, 1997 226.202 224.103, 226.202. Seal, Hawaiian monk Neomonachus schauinslandi (= Monachus schauinslandi Entire Species 41 FR 51611, Nov. 23, 1976 226.201 NA. Seal, Mediterranean monk Monachus monachus Entire species 35 FR 8491, June 2, 1970 NA NA. Seal, ringed (Ladoga subspecies) Phoca (=Pusa) hispida ladogensis Entire subspecies 77 FR 76706; Dec. 28, 2012 NA NA. Seal, ringed (Saimaa subspecies) Phoca (=Pusa) hispida saimensis Entire subspecies 58 FR 26920, May 6, 1993 NA NA. Whale, beluga (Cook Inlet DPS) Delphinapterus leucas Beluga whales originating from Cook Inlet, Alaska 73 FR 62919, Oct. 22, 2008 226.220 NA. Whale, blue Balaenoptera musculus Entire species 35 FR 18319, Dec. 2, 1970 NA NA. Whale, bowhead Balaena mysticetus Entire species 35 FR 18319, Dec. 2, 1970 NA NA. Whale, false killer (Main Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS) Pseudorca crassidens False killer whales found from nearshore of the main Hawaiian Islands out to 140 km (approximately 75 nautical miles) and that permanently reside within this geographic range 77 FR 70915, Nov. 28, 2012 § 226.226 NA. Whale, fin or finback Balaenoptera physalus Entire species 35 FR 8491, June 2, 1970 NA NA. Whale, gray (Western North Pacific DPS) Eschrichtius robustus Western North Pacific (Korean) gray whales 35 FR 8491, June 2, 1970; 59 FR 31094, June 16, 1994 NA NA. Whale, humpback (Arabian Sea DPS) Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whales that breed and feed in the Arabian Sea 81 FR 62260, Sept. 8, 2016 NA NA. Whale, humpback (Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa DPS) Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whales that breed in waters surrounding the Cape Verde Islands in the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean, as well as those that breed in an undetermined breeding area in the eastern tropical Atlantic (possibly Canary Current) and feed along the Iceland Shelf and Sea and the Norwegian Sea 81 FR 62260, Sept. 8, 2016 NA NA. Whale, humpback (Central America DPS) Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whales that breed in waters off Central America in the North Pacific Ocean and feed along the West Coast of the United States and southern British Columbia 81 FR 62260, Sept. 8, 2016 226.227 Whale, humpback (Western North Pacific DPS) Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whales that breed or winter in the area of Okinawa and the Philippines in the Kuroshio Current (as well as unknown breeding grounds in the Western North Pacific Ocean), transit the Ogasawara area, or feed in the North Pacific Ocean, primarily in the West Bering Sea and off the Russian coast and the Aleutian Islands 81 FR 62260, Sept. 8, 2016 226.227 Whale, killer (Southern Resident DPS) Orcinus orca Killer whales from the J, K, and L pods 80 FR 7380, Feb. 10, 2015 226.206 224.103. Whale, North Atlantic right Eubalaena glacialis Entire species 73 FR 12024, Mar. 6, 2008 226.203 224.103, 224.105. Whale, North Pacific right Eubalaena japonica Entire species 73 FR 12024, Mar. 6, 2008 226.215 224.103. Whale, Rice's Balaenoptera ricei Entire Species 84 FR 15446, April 15, 2019 NA NA. Whale, sei Balaenoptera borealis Entire species 35 FR 18319, Dec. 2, 1970 NA NA. Whale, Southern right Eubalaena australis Entire species 35 FR 18319, Dec. 2, 1970 NA NA. Whale, sperm Physeter macrocephalus catodon Entire species 35 FR 18319, Dec. 2, 1970 NA NA. Reptiles 2 Sea snake, dusky Aipysurus fuscus Entire species 80 FR 60560, Oct. 7, 2015 NA NA. Sea turtle, green (Central South Pacific DPS) Chelonia mydas Green sea turtles originating from the Central South Pacific Ocean, bounded by the following coordinates: 9° N., 175° W. in the northwest; 9° N., 125° W. in the northeast; 40° S., 96° W. in the southeast; 40° S., 176° E. in the southwest; and 13° S., 171° E. in the west 81 FR 20058, Apr. 6, 2016 NA 224.104. Sea turtle, green (Central West Pacific DPS) Chelonia mydas Green sea turtles originating from the Central West Pacific Ocean, bounded by the following coordinates: 41° N., 146° E. in the northwest; 41° N., 169° E. in the northeast; 9° N., 175° W. in the east; 13° S., 171° E. in the southeast; along the northern coast of the island of New Guinea; and 4.5° N., 129° E. in the west 81 FR 20058, Apr. 6, 2016 NA 224.104. Sea turtle, green (Mediterranean DPS) Chelonia mydas Green sea turtles originating from the Mediterranean Sea, bounded by 5.5° W. Long. in the west 81 FR 20058, Apr. 6, 2016 NA 224.104. Sea turtle, hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata Entire species 35 FR 8491, June 2, 1970 226.209 224.104. Sea turtle, Kemp's ridley Lepidochelys kempii Entire species 35 FR 18319, Dec. 2, 1970 NA 224.104. Sea turtle, leatherback Dermochelys coriacea Entire species 35 FR 8491, June 2, 1970 226.207 224.104. Sea turtle, loggerhead (Mediterranean Sea DPS) Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Mediterranean Sea east of 5°36′ W. Long 76 FR 58868, Sept. 22, 2011 NA 224.104. Sea turtle, loggerhead (North Indian Ocean DPS) Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the North Indian Ocean north of the equator and south of 30° N. Lat 76 FR 58868, Sept. 22, 2011 NA 224.104. Sea turtle, loggerhead (North Pacific Ocean DPS) Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the North Pacific north of the equator and south of 60° N. Lat 76 FR 58868, Sept. 22, 2011 NA 224.104. Sea turtle, loggerhead (Northeast Atlantic Ocean DPS) Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean north of the equator, south of 60° N. Lat., and east of 40° W. Long., except in the vicinity of the Strait of Gibraltar where the eastern boundary is 5°36′ W. Long 76 FR 58868, Sept. 22, 2011 NA 224.104. Sea turtle, loggerhead (South Pacific Ocean DPS) Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtles originating from the South Pacific south of the equator, north of 60° S. Lat., west of 67° W. Long., and east of 141° E. Long 76 FR 58868, Sept. 22, 2011 NA 224.104. Sea turtle, olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea Breeding colony populations on the Pacific coast of Mexico 43 FR 32800, July 28, 1978 NA 224.104. Fishes Angelshark, common Squatina squatina Entire species 81 FR 50394, Aug. 1, 2016 NA NA. Angelshark, Argentine Squatina argentina Entire species 82 FR 21722, May 10, 2017 NA NA Angelshark, sawback Squatina aculeata Entire species 81 FR 50394, Aug. 1, 2016 NA NA. Angelshark, smoothback Squatina oculata Entire species 81 FR 50394, Aug. 1, 2016 NA NA. Angelshark, spiny Squatina guggenheim Entire species 82 FR 21722, May 10, 2017 NA NA Bocaccio (Puget Sound/Georgia Basin DPS) Sebastes paucispinis Bocaccio residing within the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin to the Northern Boundary of the Northern Strait of Georgia along the southern contours of Quadra Island, Maurelle Island and Sonora Island, all of Bute Inlet The Western Boundary of the U.S. side in the Strait of Juan de Fuca is N 48 7′16″, W123 17′15″ in a straight line to the Canadian side at N 48 24′40″, 123 17′38″ 75 FR 22276, Apr. 28, 2010 226.224 NA. Grouper, gulf Mycteroperca jordani Entire species 81 FR 72545, Oct. 20, 2016 NA NA. Guitarfish, Brazilian Rhinobatos horkelii Entire species 82 FR 21722, May 10, 2017 NA NA Salmon, Atlantic (Gulf of Maine DPS) Salmo salar Naturally spawned Atlantic salmon originating from the Gulf of Maine, including such Atlantic salmon originating from watersheds from the Androscoggin River northward along the Maine coast to the Dennys River. Also, Atlantic salmon from two artificial propagation programs: Green Lake National Fish Hatchery (GLNFH) and Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery (CBNFH). This DPS does not include landlocked salmon and those salmon raised in commercial hatcheries for aquaculture 74 FR 29344, June 19, 2009 226.217 NA. Salmon, Chinook (Sacramento River winter-run ESU) Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Naturally spawned winter-run Chinook salmon originating from the Sacramento River and its tributaries. Also, winter-run Chinook salmon from the following artificial propagation programs: The Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery (Supplementation and Captive Broodstock) 70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005 226.204 NA Salmon, Chinook (Upper Columbia River spring-run ESU) Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Naturally spawned spring-run Chinook salmon originating from Columbia River tributaries upstream of the Rock Island Dam and downstream of Chief Joseph Dam (excluding the Okanogan River subbasin). Also, spring-run Chinook salmon from the following artificial propagation programs: The Twisp River Program; Chief Joseph spring Chinook Hatchery Program (Okanogan release); Methow Program; Winthrop National Fish Hatchery Program; Chiwawa River Program; White River Program; and the Nason Creek Program 70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005 226.212 NA Salmon, coho (Central California Coast ESU) Oncorhynchus kisutch Naturally spawned coho salmon originating from rivers south of Punta Gorda, California to and including Aptos Creek, as well as such coho salmon originating from tributaries to San Francisco Bay. Also, coho salmon from the following artificial propagation programs: The Don Clausen Fish Hatchery Captive Broodstock Program; the Scott Creek/King Fisher Flats Conservation Program; and the Scott Creek Captive Broodstock Program 70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005; 77 FR 19552, Apr. 2, 2012 226.210 NA Salmon, sockeye (Snake River ESU) Oncorhynchus nerka Naturally spawned anadromous and residual sockeye salmon originating from the Snake River basin. Also, sockeye salmon from the Redfish Lake Captive Broodstock Program and the Snake River Sockeye Salmon Hatchery Program 70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005 226.205 NA Sawfish, dwarf Pristis clavata Entire species 79 FR 73978, Dec. 12, 2014 NA NA. Sawfish, green Pristis zijsron Entire species 79 FR 73978, Dec. 12, 2014 NA NA. Sawfish, largetooth Pristis pristis Pristis perotteti, Pristis pristis, Pristis microdon Entire species 79 FR 73978, Dec. 12, 2014 NA NA. Sawfish, narrow Anoxypristis cuspidata Entire species 79 FR 73978, Dec. 12, 2014 NA NA. Sawfish, smalltooth (United States DPS) Pristis pectinata Smalltooth sawfish originating from U.S. waters 68 FR 15674, Apr. 1, 2003 226.218 NA. Sawfish, smalltooth (Non-U.S. DPS) Pristis pectinata Smalltooth sawfish originating from non-U.S. waters 79 FR 73978, Dec. 12, 2014 NA NA. Shark, daggernose Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus Entire species 82 FR 21722, May 10, 2017 NA NA Shark, scalloped hammerhead (Eastern Atlantic DPS) Sphyrna lewini Scalloped hammerhead sharks originating from the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, including all waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and delineated by the following boundary lines: bounded to the west by 30° W. long., to the north by 40° N. lat., to the south by 36° S. lat., and to the east by 20° E. long 79 FR 38214, July 3, 2014 NA NA. Shark, scalloped hammerhead (Eastern Pacific DPS) Sphyrna lewini Scalloped hammerhead sharks originating from the Eastern Pacific Ocean, delineated by the following boundary lines: bounded to the north by 40° N lat. and to the south by 36° S lat. The western boundary line extends from 140° W. long. due south to 10° N., then due west along 10° N. lat. to 150° W. long., then due south to 4° S. lat., then due east along 4° S. lat. to 130° W. long, and then extends due south along 130° W. long 79 FR 38214, July 3, 2014 NA NA. Shark, striped smoothhound Mustelus fasciatus Entire species 82 FR 21722, May 10, 2017 NA NA Steelhead (Southern California DPS) Oncorhynchus mykiss Naturally spawned anadromous O. mykiss 71 FR 834, Jan. 5, 2006 226.211 NA. Sturgeon, Adriatic Acipenser naccarii Entire species 79 FR 31222, June 2, 2014 NA NA. Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic subspecies; Carolina DPS) Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus Atlantic sturgeon originating from watersheds (including all rivers and tributaries) from Albemarle Sound southward along the southern Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina coastal areas to Charleston Harbor 77 FR 5914, Feb. 6, 2012 NA NA. Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic subspecies; Chesapeake Bay DPS) Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus Anadromous Atlantic sturgeon originating from watersheds that drain into the Chesapeake Bay and into coastal waters from the Delaware-Maryland border on Fenwick Island to Cape Henry, Virginia 77 FR 5880, Feb. 6, 2012 NA NA. Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic subspecies; New York Bight DPS) Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus Anadromous Atlantic sturgeon originating from watersheds that drain into coastal waters, including Long Island Sound, the New York Bight, and Delaware Bay, from Chatham, Massachusetts to the Delaware-Maryland border on Fenwick Island 77 FR 5880, Feb. 6, 2012 NA NA. Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic subspecies; South Atlantic DPS) Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus Atlantic sturgeon originating from watersheds (including all rivers and tributaries) of the ACE (Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto) Basin southward along the South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida coastal areas to the St. Johns River, Florida 77 FR 5914, Feb. 6, 2012 NA NA. Sturgeon, Chinese Acipenser sinensis Entire species 79 FR 31222, June 2, 2014 NA NA. Sturgeon, European Acipenser sturio Entire species 79 FR 31222, June 2, 2014 NA NA. Sturgeon, Kaluga Huso dauricus Entire species 79 FR 31222, June 2, 2014 NA NA. Sturgeon, Sakhalin Acipenser mikadoi Entire species 79 FR 31222, June 2, 2014 NA NA. Sturgeon, shortnose Acipenser brevirostrum Entire species 32 FR 4001, Mar. 11, 1967 NA NA. Totoaba Cynoscion macdonaldi Entire species 44 FR 29480, May 21, 1979 NA NA. Molluscs Abalone, black Haliotis cracherodii Entire species 74 FR 1937, Jan. 14, 2009 226.221 NA. Abalone, white Haliotis sorenseni Entire species 66 FR 29054, May 29, 2001 NA NA. Corals Coral, [no common name] Cantharellus noumeae Entire species 80 FR 60560, Oct. 7, 2015 NA NA. Coral, [no common name] Tubastraea floreana Entire species 80 FR 60560, Oct. 7, 2015 NA NA. Coral, pillar Dendrogyra cylindrus Entire species 89 FR 101993, December 17, 2024 226.230 NA. 1 2 [79 FR 20814, Apr. 14, 2014, as amended at 79 FR 31227, June 2, 2014; 79 FR 38241, July 3, 2014; 79 FR 68372, Nov. 17, 2014; 79 FR 74005, Dec. 12, 2014; 79 FR 78725, Dec. 31, 2014; 80 FR 7978, Feb. 13, 2015; 80 FR 7390, Feb. 10, 2015; 80 FR 60564, Oct. 7, 2015; 81 FR 20090, Apr. 6, 2016; 81 FR 50400, Aug. 1, 2016; 81 FR 62320, Sept. 8, 2016; 81 FR 72549, Oct. 20, 2016; 82 FR 7720, Jan. 23, 2017; 82 FR 21740, May 10, 2017; 82 FR 43710, Sept. 19, 2017; 83 FR 21186, May 9, 2018; 83 FR 35091, July 24, 2018]; 84 FR 15487, Apr. 15, 2019; 85 FR 81836, Dec. 17, 2020; 86 FR 21152, Apr. 21, 2021; 86 FR 47024, Aug. 23, 2021; 86 FR 74380, Dec. 30, 2021; 89 FR 12985, Feb. 21, 2024; 89 FR 101999, Dec. 17, 2024] § 224.102 Permits for endangered marine and anadromous species. No person shall take, import, export, or engage in any activity prohibited by section 9 of the Act involving any marine species that has been determined to be endangered under the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969 or the Act, and that is under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, without a valid permit issued pursuant to part 222, subpart C of this chapter. § 224.103 Special prohibitions for endangered marine mammals. (a) [Reserved] (b) Approaching endangered humpback whales in Alaska Prohibitions. Megaptera novaeangliae (i) Approach, by any means, including by interception (i.e., placing a vessel in the path of an oncoming humpback whale so that the whale surfaces within 100 yards (91.4 m) of the vessel), within 100 yards (91.4 m) of any humpback whale; (ii) Cause a vessel or other object to approach within 100 yards (91.4 m) of a humpback whale; or (iii) Disrupt the normal behavior or prior activity of a whale by any other act or omission. A disruption of normal behavior may be manifested by, among other actions on the part of the whale, a rapid change in direction or speed; escape tactics such as prolonged diving, underwater course changes, underwater exhalation, or evasive swimming patterns; interruptions of breeding, nursing, or resting activities, attempts by a whale to shield a calf from a vessel or human observer by tail swishing or by other protective movement; or the abandonment of a previously frequented area. (2) Exceptions. (i) Paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not apply if an approach is authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service through a permit issued under part 222, subpart C, of this chapter (General Permit Procedures) or through a similar authorization. (ii) Paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not apply to the extent that a vessel is restricted in its ability to maneuver and, because of the restriction, cannot comply with paragraph (b)(1) of this section. (iii) Paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not apply to commercial fishing vessels lawfully engaged in actively setting, retrieving or closely tending commercial fishing gear. For purposes of this paragraph (b), commercial fishing means taking or harvesting fish or fishery resources to sell, barter, or trade. Commercial fishing does not include commercial passenger fishing operations (i.e. charter operations or sport fishing activities). (iv) Paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not apply to state, local, or Federal government vessels operating in the course of official duty. (v) Paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not affect the rights of Alaska Natives under 16 U.S.C. 1539(e). (vi) Paragraph (b) of this section shall not take precedence over any more restrictive conflicting Federal regulation pertaining to humpback whales, including the regulations at 36 CFR 13.1102-13.1188 that pertain specifically to the waters of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. (3) General measures. (c) Approaching right whales Prohibitions. (i) Approach (including by interception) within 500 yards (460 m) of a right whale by vessel, aircraft, or any other means; (ii) Fail to undertake required right whale avoidance measures specified under paragraph (c)(2) of this section. (2) Right whale avoidance measures. (i) If underway, a vessel must steer a course away from the right whale and immediately leave the area at a slow safe speed. (ii) An aircraft must take a course away from the right whale and immediately leave the area at a constant airspeed. (3) Exceptions. (i) Paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section do not apply if a right whale approach is authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service through a permit issued under part 222, subpart C, of this chapter (General Permit Procedures) or through a similar authorization. (ii) Paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section do not apply where compliance would create an imminent and serious threat to a person, vessel, or aircraft. (iii) Paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section do not apply when approaching to investigate a right whale entanglement or injury, or to assist in the disentanglement or rescue of a right whale, provided that permission is received from the National Marine Fisheries Service or designee prior to the approach. (iv) Paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section do not apply to an aircraft unless the aircraft is conducting whale watch activities. (v) Paragraph (c)(2) of this section does not apply to the extent that a vessel is restricted in her ability to maneuver and, because of the restriction, cannot comply with paragraph (c)(2) of this section. (d) Special prohibitions relating to endangered Steller sea lion protection General Prohibitions. (i) No discharge of firearms. (ii) No approach in buffer areas. (A) No owner or operator of a vessel may allow the vessel to approach within 3 nautical miles (5.5 kilometers) of a Steller sea lion rookery site listed in paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section; (B) No person may approach on land not privately owned within one-half statutory mile (0.8 kilometers) or within sight of a Steller sea lion rookery site listed in paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section, whichever is greater, except on Marmot Island; and (C) No person may approach on land not privately owned within one and one-half statutory miles (2.4 kilometers) or within sight of the eastern shore of Marmot Island, including the Steller sea lion rookery site listed in paragraph (d)(1)(iii) of this section, whichever is greater. (iii) Listed sea lion rookery sites. Table 1 to § 224.103—Listed Steller Sea Lion Rookery Sites 1 Island From To NOAA Notes Lat. Long. Lat. Long. 1. Outer I. 59°20.5 N 150°23.0 W 59°21.0 N 150°24.5 W 16681 S quadrant. 2. Sugarloaf I. 58°53.0 N 152°02.0 W 16580 Whole island. 3. Marmot I. 58°14.5 N 151°47.5 W 58°10.0 N 151°51.0 W 16580 SE quadrant. 4. Chirikof I. 55°46.5 N 155°39.5 W 55°46.5 N 155°43.0 W 16580 S quadrant. 5. Chowiet I. 56°00.5 N 156°41.5 W 56°00.5 N 156°42.0 W 16013 S quadrant. 6. Atkins I. 55°03.5 N 159°18.5 W 16540 Whole island. 7. Chernabura I. 54°47.5 N 159°31.0 W 54°45.5 N 159°33.5 W 16540 SE corner. 8. Pinnacle Rock 54°46.0 N 161°46.0 W 16540 Whole island. 9. Clubbing Rks (N) 54°43.0 N 162°26.5 W 16540 Whole island. Clubbing Rks (S) 54°42.0 N 162°26.5 W 16540 Whole Island. 10. Sea Lion Rks 55°28.0 N 163°12.0 W 16520 Whole island. 11. Ugamak I. 54°14.0 N 164°48.0 W 54°13.0 N 164°48.0 W 16520 E end of island. 12. Akun I. 54°18.0 N 165°32.5 W 54°18.0 N 165°31.5 W 16547 Billings Head Bight. 13. Akutan I. 54°03.5 N 166°00.0 W 54°05.5 N 166°05.0 W 16520 SW corner, Cape Morgan. 14. Bogoslof I. 53°56.0 N 168°02.0 W 16500 Whole island. 15. Ogchul I. 53°00.0 N 168°24.0 W 16500 Whole island. 16. Adugak I. 52°55.0 N 169°10.5 W 16500 Whole island. 17. Yunaska I. 52°42.0 N 170°38.5 W 52°41.0 N 170°34.5 W 16500 NE end. 18. Seguam I. 52°21.0 N 172°35.0 W 52°21.0 N 172°33.0 W 16480 N coast, Saddleridge Pt. 19. Agligadak I. 52°06.5 N 172°54.0 W 16480 Whole island. 20. Kasatochi I. 52°10.0 N 175°31.5 W 52°10.5 N 175°29.0 W 16480 N half of island. 21. Adak I. 51°36.5 N 176°59.0 W 51°38.0 N 176°59.5 W 16460 SW Point, Lake Point. 22. Gramp rock 51°29.0 N 178°20.5 W 16460 Whole island. 23. Tag I. 51°33.5 N 178°34.5 W 16460 Whole island. 24. Ulak I. 51°20.0 N 178°57.0 W 51°18.5 N 178°59.5 W 16460 SE corner, Hasgox Pt. 25. Semisopochnoi 51°58.5 N 179°45.5 E 51°57.0 N 179°46.0 E 16440 E quadrant, Pochnoi Pt. Semisopochnoi 52°01.5 N 179°37.5 E 52°01.5 N 179°39.0 E 16440 N quadrant, Petrel Pt. 26. Amchitka I. 51°22.5 N 179°28.0 E 51°21.5 N 179°25.0 E 16440 East Cape. 27. Amchitka I. 51°32.5 N 178°49.5 E 16440 Column Rocks. 28. Ayugadak Pt. 51°45.5 N 178°24.5 E 16440 SE coast of Rat Island. 29. Kiska I. 51°57.5 N 177°21.0 E 51°56.5 N 177°20.0 E 16440 W central, Lief Cove. 30. Kiska I. 51°52.5 N 177°13.0 E 51°53.5 N 177°12.0 E 16440 Cape St. Stephen. 31. Walrus I. 57°11.0 N 169°56.0 W 16380 Whole island. 32. Buldir I. 52°20.5 N 175°57.0 E 52°23.5 N 175°51.0 E 16420 Se point to NW point. 33. Agattu I. 52°24.0 N 173°21.5 E 16420 Gillion Point. 34. Agattu I. 52°23.5 N 173°43.5 E 52°22.0 N 173°41.0 E 16420 Cape Sabak. 35. Attu I. 52°54.5 N 172°28.5 E 52°57.5 N 172°31.5 E 16681 S Quadrant. 1 (iv) Commercial Fishing Operations. (2) Exceptions Permits. (ii) Official activities. (A) Taking a Steller sea lion in a humane manner, if the taking is for the protection or welfare of the animal, the protection of the public health and welfare, or the nonlethal removal of nuisance animals; or (B) Entering the buffer areas to perform activities that are necessary for national defense, or the performance of other legitimate governmental activities. (iii) Subsistence takings by Alaska natives. (iv) Emergency situations. (v) Exemptions. Federal Register. (vi) Navigational transit. Rookery Straits, narrow, or pass Akutan Island Akutan Pass between Cape Morgan and Unalga Island. Clubbing Rocks Between Clubbing Rocks and Cherni Island. Outer Island Wildcat Pass between Rabbit and Ragged Islands. (3) Penalties. (ii) Any vessel used in violation of this subsection or the Endangered Species Act is subject to forfeiture under section 11(e)(4)(B) of the Act. (e) Protective regulations for killer whales in Washington Applicability. (2) Prohibitions. (i) Cause a vessel to approach, in any manner, within 200 yards (182.9 m) of any killer whale. (ii) Position a vessel to be in the path of any killer whale at any point located within 400 yards (365.8 m) of the whale. This includes intercepting a killer whale by positioning a vessel so that the prevailing wind or water current carries the vessel into the path of the whale. (3) Exceptions. (i) The prohibitions of paragraph (e)(2) of this section do not apply to (A) Federal Government vessels operating in the course of their official duty or state and local government vessels when engaged in official duties involving law enforcement, search and rescue, or public safety. (B) Vessels participating with a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) and following a Traffic Separation Scheme or complying with a VTS Measure of Direction. This also includes support vessels escorting ships in the traffic lanes, such as tug boats. (C) Vessels engaged in an activity, such as scientific research, authorized through a permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service under part 222, subpart C, of this chapter (General Permit Procedures) or through a similar National Marine Fisheries Service authorization. (D) Vessels lawfully engaged in commercial or treaty Indian fishing that are actively setting, retrieving, or closely tending fishing gear. (E) Vessel operations necessary to avoid an imminent and serious threat to a person, vessel or the environment, including when necessary for overall safety of navigation and to comply with the Navigation Rules. (ii) [Reserved] (4) Affirmative defense. (b) [Reserved] [64 FR 14066, Mar. 23, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 29509, May 31, 2001; 69 FR 69537, Nov. 30, 2004; 70 FR 1832, Jan. 11, 2005; 76 FR 20890, Apr. 14, 2011; 78 FR 66169, Nov. 4, 2013; 81 FR 62021, 62320, Sept. 8, 2016] § 224.104 Special requirements for fishing activities to protect endangered sea turtles. (a) Shrimp fishermen in the southeastern United States and the Gulf of America who comply with rules for threatened sea turtles specified in § 223.206 of this chapter will not be subject to civil penalties under the Act for incidental captures of endangered sea turtles by shrimp trawl gear. (b) Summer flounder fishermen in the Summer flounder fishery-sea turtle protection area who comply with rules for threatened sea turtles specified in § 223.206 of this chapter will not be subject to civil penalties under the Act for incidental captures of endangered sea turtles by summer flounder gear. (c) Special prohibitions relating to sea turtles are provided at § 223.206(d). [64 FR 14066, Mar. 23, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 44552, Aug. 24, 2001; 66 FR 67496, Dec. 31, 2001; 68 FR 8471, Feb. 21, 2003; 69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004; 72 FR 31757, June 8, 2007; 90 FR 38002, Aug. 7, 2025] § 224.105 Speed restrictions to protect North Atlantic Right Whales. (a) The following restrictions apply to: All vessels greater than or equal to 65 ft (19.8 m) in overall length and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and all other vessels greater than or equal to 65 ft (19.8 m) in overall length entering or departing a port or place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. These restrictions shall not apply to U.S. vessels owned or operated by, or under contract to, the Federal Government. This exemption extends to foreign sovereign vessels when they are engaging in joint exercises with the U.S. Department of the Navy. In addition, these restrictions do not apply to law enforcement vessels of a State, or political subdivision thereof, when engaged in law enforcement or search and rescue duties. (1) Southeast U.S. (south of St. Augustine, FL to north of Brunswick, GA): Vessels shall travel at a speed of 10 knots or less over ground during the period of November 15 to April 15 each year in the area bounded by the following: Beginning at 31°27′00.0″ N-080°51′36.0″ W; thence west to charted mean high water line then south along charted mean high water line and inshore limits of COLREGS limit to a latitude of 29°45′00.0″ N thence east to 29°45′00.0″ N-080°51′36.0″ W; thence back to starting point. (Fig. 1). (2) Mid-Atlantic U.S. (from north of Brunswick, Georgia to Rhode Island): Vessels shall travel 10 knots or less over ground in the period November 1 to April 30 each year: (i) In the area bounded by the following: 33°56′42.0″ N-077°31′30.0″ W; thence along a NW bearing of 313.26° True to charted mean high water line then south along mean high water line and inshore limits of COLREGS limit to a latitude of 31°27′00.0″ N; thence east to 31°27′00.0″ N-080°51′36.0″ W; thence to 31°50′00.0″ N-080°33′12.0″ W; thence to 32°59′06.0″ N-078°50′18.0″ W; thence to 33°28′24.0″ N-078°32′30.0″ W; thence to 33°36′30.0″ N-077°47′06.0″ W; thence back to starting point.; (ii) Within a 20-nm (37 km) radius (as measured seaward from COLREGS delineated coast lines and the center point of the port entrance) (Fig. 2) at the (A) Ports of New York/New Jersey: 40°29′42.2″ N-073°55′57.6″ W; (B) Delaware Bay (Ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington): 38°52′27.4″ N-075°01′32.1″ W; (C) Entrance to the Chesapeake Bay (Ports of Hampton Roads and Baltimore): 37°00′36.9″ N-075°57′50.5″ W; and (D) Ports of Morehead City and Beaufort, NC: 34°41′32.0″ N-076°40′08.3″ W; and (iii) In Block Island Sound, in the area bounded by the following coordinates: Beginning at 40°51′53.7″ N-70°36′44.9″ W; thence to 41°20′14.1″ N-70°49′44.1″ W; thence to 41°04′16.7″ N-71°51′21.0″ W; thence to 40°35′56.5″ N-71°38′25.1″ W; thence back to starting point. (Fig. 2). (3) Northeast U.S. (north of Rhode Island): (i) In Cape Cod Bay, MA: Vessels shall travel at a speed of 10 knots or less over ground during the period of January 1 to May 15 in Cape Cod Bay, in an area beginning at 42°04′56.5″ N-070°12′00.0″ W; thence north to 42°12′00.0″ N-070°12′00.0″ W; thence due west to charted mean high water line; thence along charted mean high water within Cape Cod Bay back to beginning point. (Fig. 3). (ii) Off Race Point: Vessels shall travel at a speed of 10 knots or less over ground during the period of March 1 to April 30 each year in waters bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (Fig. 3): 42°30′00.0″ N-069°45′00.0″ W; thence to 42°30′00.0″ N-070°30′00.0″ W; thence to 42°12′00.0″ N-070°30′00.0″ W; thence to 42°12′00.0″ N-070°12′00.0″ W; thence to 42°04′56.5″ N-070°12′00.0″ W; thence along charted mean high water line and inshore limits of COLREGS limit to a latitude of 41°40′00.0″ N; thence due east to 41°41′00.0″ N-069°45′00.0″ W; thence back to starting point. (iii) Great South Channel: Vessels shall travel at a speed of 10 knots or less over ground during the period of April 1 to July 31 each year in all waters bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (Fig. 3): 42°30′00.0″ N-069°45′00.0″ W 41°40′00.0″ N-069°45′00.0″ W 41°00′00.0″ N-069°05′00.0″ W 42°09′00.0″ N-067°08′24.0″ W 42°30′00.0″ N-067°27′00.0″ W 42°30′00.0″ N-069°45′00.0″ W (b) Except as noted in paragraph (c) of this section, it is unlawful under this section: (1) For any vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to violate any speed restriction established in paragraph (a) of this section; or (2) For any vessel entering or departing a port or place under the jurisdiction of the United States to violate any speed restriction established in paragraph (a) of this section. (c) A vessel may operate at a speed necessary to maintain safe maneuvering speed instead of the required ten knots only if justified because the vessel is in an area where oceanographic, hydrographic and/or meteorological conditions severely restrict the maneuverability of the vessel and the need to operate at such speed is confirmed by the pilot on board or, when a vessel is not carrying a pilot, the master of the vessel. If a deviation from the ten-knot speed limit is necessary, the reasons for the deviation, the speed at which the vessel is operated, the latitude and longitude of the area, and the time and duration of such deviation shall be entered into the logbook of the vessel. The master of the vessel shall attest to the accuracy of the logbook entry by signing and dating it. (d) No later than January 1, 2019, the National Marine Fisheries Service will publish and seek comment on a report evaluating the conservation value and economic and navigational safety impacts of this section, including any recommendations to minimize burden of such impacts. [79 FR 34245, June 16, 2014]

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