Greetings MARMAM, Today, NOAA Fisheries published a final rule implementing import provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act ( https://federalregister.gov/a/2016-19158). The United States is a global leader in marine mammal conservation and sustainable fisheries, with U.S. fisheries abiding by some of the world’s most robust conservation practices, including measures to reduce marine mammal bycatch—a global threat to many populations of marine mammals. This rule implements aspects of the Marine Mammal Protection Act that aim to reduce marine mammal bycatch associated with international commercial fishing operations, by requiring nations exporting fish and fish products to the United States to be held to the same standards as U.S. commercial fishing operations. The rule also establishes the criteria for evaluating a harvesting nation’s regulatory program for reducing marine mammal bycatch and the procedures required to receive authorization to import fish and fish products into the United States. To ensure effective implementation, the rule establishes a 5 year exemption period to allow foreign harvesting nations time to develop, as appropriate, regulatory programs comparable in effectiveness to U.S. programs. This rule marks a significant step forward in the global conservation of marine mammals and expanding international collaboration for best stewardship. We have scheduled a series of public webinar meetings to engage with interested stakeholders about this rule, and its implications. Details will be posted at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/. We look forward to your engagement and contributions to this important process and your continued support of marine mammal conservation and sustainable fisheries. Regards, Jonathan Shannon *Outreach Specialist* NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources U.S. Department of Commerce Office: 301-427-8431 jonathan.shannon@noaa.gov *Webhttp://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/ <http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/>Facebookwww.facebook.com/noaafisheries <http://www.facebook.com/noaafisheries>Twitterwww.twitter.com/noaafisherie <http://www.twitter.com/noaafisheries>sYouTubewww.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov <http://www.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov> The views expressed in this message are my own and do not necessarily reflect any position of NOAA, the Department of Commerce, or the government of the United States.*