216.241—Effective dates and definitions.
(1) Uncommon Stranding Event (USE)—
A stranding event that takes place during a major training exercise (MTE) and involves any one of the following:
(i)
Two or more individuals of any cetacean species (not including mother/calf pairs), unless of species of concern listed in § 216.241(b)(1)(ii) found dead or live on shore within a 2-day period and occurring within 30 miles of one another.
(ii)
A single individual or mother/calf pair of any of the following marine mammals of concern: beaked whale of any species, dwarf or pygmy sperm whales, melon-headed whales, pilot whales, right whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, blue whales, fin whales, or sei whales.
(iii)
A group of 2 or more cetaceans of any species exhibiting indicators of distress as defined in § 216.241(b)(3).
(2) Shutdown—
The cessation of MFAS/HFAS operation or detonation of explosives within 14 nm nm (Atlantic Ocean) or 17 nm (Gulf of Mexico) of any live, in the water, animal involved in a USE.