Regulations
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Individuals
diving in the sanctuary must be aware of sanctuary regulations
that protect historic resources and marine mammals.
Currently,
there are three Sanctuary specific regulations that pertain
to historic resources in the sanctuary (excerpt from 15
CFR 922.142:)
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Prohibited
or otherwise regulated activities:
(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:
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(i)
Anchoring vessel;
(ii) Traditional fishing operations; or
(iii) Installation of navigational aids. |
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(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.
(7)
Possessing within the Sanctuary (regardless of where taken, moved
or removed from), except as necessary for valid law enforcement
purposes, any historic resource, or any marine mammal, marine
reptile or seabird taken in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection
Act, Endangered Species Act or Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Under
the above regulations divers are not permitted to grapple a shipwreck,
drop a down line directly onto a shipwreck, or tie a down line
onto any part of a shipwreck. Divers are also not allowed to leave
an unattended mooring in the sanctuary at any time.
Diving
when in the vicinity of whales is considered harassment, and is
punishable under federal law. Any boating activity that harms
or causes a whale to change its behavior is also a violation of
the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.
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