(a) Regulations in this subpart apply only to the National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) and those persons it authorizes or funds to conduct activities on its behalf for the taking of marine mammals that occurs in the area outlined in paragraph (b) of this section and that occurs incidental to research survey program operations.

(b) The taking of marine mammals by NWFSC may be authorized in a Letter of Authorization (LOA) only if it occurs within the California Current Ecosystem, including Puget Sound and the Columbia River.