§217.180. Specified activity and specified geographical region.
50 C.F.R. § 217.180
Regulations in this subpart apply only to oil and gas industry operators (Letter of Authorization (LOA)-holders), and those persons authorized to conduct activities on their behalf, for the taking of marine mammals that occurs in the area outlined in paragraph (b) of this section and that occurs incidental to geophysical survey activities.
The taking of marine mammals by oil and gas industry operators may be authorized in an LOA only if it occurs within U.S. waters in the Gulf of America, outside the area previously subject to a Congressional leasing moratorium under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) (Pub. L. 109-432, section 104).
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Source
Source: 91 FR 20852, Apr. 17, 2026, unless otherwise noted.
Authority
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., unless otherwise noted.
Source
Source: 74 FR 35143, July 20, 2009, unless otherwise noted.