Management Plan Review State of the Sanctuary Report Appendix B

Appendix B - Site Regulations

This summary of activities specifically prohibited by the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary regulations is provided for easy reference only. The summary does not include all exemptions or other activities regulated within the Sanctuary under other local, state or federal authorities. The full text of the regulations is published at 15 CFR Part 922.

1) Discharging or depositing in the Sanctuary, any matter except (A) fish, chumming materials or bait used in or resulting from traditional fishing operations in the Sanctuary; (B) biodegradable effluent incidental to vessel use and generated by approved marine sanitation devices; (C) water generated by routine vessel operations (e.g., cooling water, deck wash down and graywater) excluding oily wastes from bilge pumping; and (D) engine exhaust. Also prohibited is discharging or depositing, from beyond the boundary of the Sanctuary, any matter that subsequently enters the Sanctuary and injures a Sanctuary resource or quality (except those listed above).

2) Exploring for, developing or producing industrial materials within the Sanctuary.

3) Drilling into, dredging or otherwise altering the seabed of the Sanctuary; or
constructing, placing or abandoning any structure, material or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary, except as an incidental result of:
o Anchoring vessels;
o Traditional fishing operations; or
o Installation of navigation aids.

4) Moving, removing or injuring, or attempting to move, remove or injure, a Sanctuary
historical resource. This prohibition does not apply to moving, removing or injury
resulting incidentally from traditional fishing operations.

5) Taking any marine reptile, marine mammal or seabird in or above the Sanctuary, except as permitted by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).

6) Lightering in the Sanctuary.

7) Possessing within the Sanctuary (regardless of where taken, moved or removed from), except as necessary for valid law enforcement purposes, any historical resource, or any marine mammal, marine reptile or seabird taken in violation of the MMPA, ESA or MBTA.

8) Interfering with, obstructing, delaying or preventing an investigation, search, seizure or disposition of seized property in connection with enforcement of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act or any regulation or permit issued under the Act.

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