Permits to study or display marine mammals can now last longer than five years

US regulators will no longer automatically cap permits for marine mammal research and public display at five years. This means scientists and aquariums can get longer permits, reducing paperwork and administrative delays.

For decades, anyone studying or displaying marine mammals had to reapply for their permits every five years. This created a lot of administrative work for both the applicants and the regulators. Now, the agency can issue permits for a longer, more appropriate duration, which could speed up long-term research projects and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.