Authorization to Conduct MSR in Foreign EEZ(s)

(Revised September 6, 2006)

Overview
The United States recognizes that countries have jurisdiction over marine scientific research within their territorial seas (TS) and exclusive economic zones (EEZ). Consequently, should U.S. marine science research interests lie within the TS or EEZ of another country, written authorization from the respective country must be obtained prior to the start of the cruise. Once authorization is obtained, the Chief Scientist is obligated to submit a copy of the data collected during the cruise to each authorizing country. The Department of State, via 207 embassies worldwide, manages this application procedure and post-cruise data exchange for the U.S. research community. An average of 300 authorizations are obtained annually for an average of 130 cruises in foreign EEZs.

Maritime Security Issues
Prior to departure, the Department of State recommends that all operators and scientists regularly review the information resources available regarding both sea-based and land-based security issues. See the related links below.

Procedure
To obtain authorization for research, the following application package must be submitted via email to the Department of State (see address below) at least 27 weeks prior to the start of the cruise:

• UN Draft Standard Form A (one form per vessel/aircraft)
• Cover letter from the ship/aircraft Operator verifying that there will not be an equipment scheduling conflict.
• Additional supporting documentation, if required by the individual foreign authorities. See individual country files to determine if this is a concern for your application.

Frequent changes to the ship’s itinerary or scientific plan will compromise the processing of the authorization. For this reason, it is recommended that all cruise changes be kept to an absolute minimum, and that the application package be submitted as late as possible before the 27-week deadline.

The Department of State will forward the application package to the Foreign Ministry within every country from which clearance is sought. A file number will be assigned to the cruise and be provided to the Submitting Officer (see U.N. Draft Standard Form A, 1.5). This file number should be referenced in all future correspondence and inquiries to the Department of State regarding the cruise.

The Submitting Officer will be contacted immediately by the Department of State if further documentation is requested from the foreign authorities.

Once a final response is obtained from the foreign authorities, the Department of State will fax the authorization paperwork to the Submitting Officer.

Please note: The Department of State will make every effort to obtain a response from the foreign authorities prior to the start of the cruise. It is strongly suggested that the Submitting Officer and the research scientists do NOT contact the Foreign Ministry or the U.S. embassies during the application process, unless permission is expressly granted by the Department of State to do so. Please also note: It is the responsibility of the Chief Scientist (see U.N. Draft Standard Form A, 1.3) to obtain and possess during the research a valid CITES collection permit, if applicable -- see the CITES link below for more information.

Cruise Plan Changes/Cancellations

Once written authorization is obtained, any and all changes to the itinerary, scientific plan, and ship specifications must be reported to the Department of State immediately. The Department of State will transmit this information to the appropriate foreign authorities for additional coastal state authorization or notification.

Post-Cruise Obligations

Preliminary Cruise Report Form
After the research cruise is conducted, the Chief Scientist (see U.N. Draft Standard Form A, 1.3) is obligated to submit a Preliminary Cruise Report Form. The Department of State requests that the Preliminary Cruise Report Form be completed and mailed to the Department of State no later than 30 days following the end date of the scientific cruise. A chartlet showing the actual track for the cruise must be attached to this form.

Final Cruise Report
Final cruise reports must be delivered to the Department of State by the deadlines listed in the Preliminary Cruise Report Form. If the Chief Scientist cannot supply the data according to the schedule listed on the Preliminary Cruise Report Form, he/she must request, in writing, an extension from the Department of State.

The Chief Scientist must provide the appropriate number of copies and translations of the final cruise report for each clearance-granting coastal state. (The following states require more than one copy of each report: Bahamas 3; Brazil 2; Dominican Republic 3; Denmark 2; France 3; and Mexico 5.) Since the final cruise report may consist of one or a combination of data tapes, websites, CDs, published articles, etc., each item must be clearly labeled with both the Department of State file number and the name of the country to which the material is due.

All applications, post-cruise obligations and cruise-related correspondence should be directed to:

Liz Tirpak / Roberta Barnes
U.S. Department of State
OES/OA, Room 2758
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Tel: 202-647-0238/0240
Fax: 202-647-1106
tirpakej@state.gov / barnesrm@state.gov

Related Links

• Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service – bureau within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides agricultural producers with a broad range of cooperative programs for protecting the health of animals and plants. Includes information regarding importation of scientific specimens.
• CITES National Focal Points - the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), directory of national focal points to assist with CITES-related permits.
• Endangered Species Act- the basis for U.S. conservation of species that are endangered or threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range, and the conservation of the ecosystems on which they depend.
• Guidelines for Improved Cooperation between Arctic Researchers and Northern Communities - useful recommendations for arctic research missions.
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code -- minimum requirements for the transport of dangerous goods (see U.N. Draft Standard Form A, 3.4).
• Maritime Claims Reference Manual -- U.S. Department of Defense list of claims made by coastal nations.
• Maritime Security Issues – links to U.S. and international maritime security information.
• Maritime Zones and Maritime Delimitation -- created and maintained by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), Office of Legal Affairs, United Nations Secretariat. See "States by Region" to review the national legislation of coastal States and treaties dealing with the delimitation of maritime boundaries.
• Passports -- how to obtain/renew a U.S. Passport
• Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets, Country Background Notes – country-specific information for travelers.
• Travel Health Information from the Center for Disease Control - health information on specific destinations. What to know before you go.