Research, Display, and Enhancement Permits 



The provisions governing scientific research and public 

 display permits were amended, and a new permit category was 

 created allowing the Services to authorize activities designed 

 to enhance the survival or recovery of marine mammal popula- 

 tions. Also, marine mammals that were pregnant at the time 

 of taking, nursing at the time of taking, or less than eight 

 months old may now be imported for public display if it is 

 determined that such importation is necessary for the protection 

 or welfare of the animal. 



Public display permits may only be issued to an applicant 

 which offers an acceptable education or conservation program, 

 based upon professionally recognized standards of the public 

 display community, and which is open to the general public on 

 a regularly scheduled basis. Before issuing a scientific 

 research permit, the Service is required to determine that 

 the proposed research is required to further a bona fide 

 scientific purpose and does not unnecessarily duplicate other 

 research. Lethal take of marine mammals for scientific research 

 purposes may be authorized only if the applicant demonstrates 

 that non-lethal alternatives are not feasible. Lethal take 

 from depleted populations may be allowed only if the Service 

 determines that the research will directly benefit the affected 

 species or stock or fulfills a critically important research 

 need. 



Enhancement permits may be issued to authorize activities 

 designed to contribute significantly to increasing or maintain- 

 ing the distribution or size of a marine mammal population. 

 Any such permit must be consistent with applicable conservation 

 or recovery plans. Captive maintenance of depleted marine 

 mammals under this authority is permitted only if the Service: 

 1) finds that such maintenance is likely to contribute to the 

 survival or recovery of the species or stock; 2) determines 

 that the expected benefit to the species or stock outweighs 

 the likely benefit of alternatives that do not involve the 

 removal of animals from the wild; and 3) requires that animals 

 removed from the wild and their progeny be returned to their 

 natural habitat as soon as feasible. 



The authority of the Secretary or his designees to take 

 actions for the benefit of marine mammals without obtaining a 

 permit was also expanded. The Secretary may now authorize 

 the importation of a marine mammal if necessary to render 

 medical treatment that is not otherwise available. Once 

 treatment has been completed, steps must be taken to return 

 the animal to the wild if it is feasible to do so. 



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