# 15 CFR § 922.1: Purposes and applicability of the regulations > Federal · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.1 ## Section - **Citation:** 15 CFR § 922.1 - **Heading:** Purposes and applicability of the regulations - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** September 22, 2026 - **Source:** Publisher's official text - **Location:** Title 15—Commerce and Foreign Trade > Subtitle B—Regulations Relating to Commerce and Foreign Trade > CHAPTER IX—NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE > SUBCHAPTER B—OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT > PART 922—NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY PROGRAM REGULATIONS > Subpart A—Regulations of General Applicability ## Text (a) The purposes of this part are: (1) To implement title III of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq., also known as the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA or Act)), the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act (FKNMSPA) (Pub. L. 101-605) and the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary Act (sections 2301-2307 of Pub. L. 102-587); and (2) To implement the designations of the national marine sanctuaries, for which specific regulations appear in subpart F through subsequent subparts of this part, by regulating activities affecting them, consistent with their respective terms of designation, in order to protect, restore, preserve, manage, and thereby ensure the health, integrity, and continued availability of the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, educational, cultural, archaeological, and aesthetic resources and qualities of these areas. (b) The regulations of this part are binding on any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Designation of a national marine sanctuary beyond the U.S. territorial sea does not constitute any claim to territorial jurisdiction on the part of the United States. The regulations of this part shall be applied in accordance with generally recognized principles of international law, 1 and in accordance with treaties, conventions, and other agreements to which the United States is a party. No regulation of this part shall apply to a person who is not a citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States, unless in accordance with: 1 Based on the legislative history of the NMSA, NOAA has long interpreted the text of 16 U.S.C. 1435(a) as encompassing international law, including customary international law. (1) Generally recognized principles of international law; (2) An agreement between the United States and the foreign state of which the person is a citizen; or (3) An agreement between the United States and the flag state of the foreign vessel, if the person is a crew member of the vessel. (c) Unless noted otherwise, the regulations in this subpart and subpart D of this part apply to all national marine sanctuaries immediately upon designation. [88 FR 958, Jan. 6, 2023, as amended at 89 FR 48286, June 6, 2024; 89 FR 83594, Oct. 16, 2024] ## Nearby sections - [15 CFR § 922.1 § 922.1 Purposes and applicability of the regulations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.1.md) - [15 CFR § 922.2 § 922.2 Mission, goals, and special policies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.2.md) - [15 CFR § 922.3 § 922.3 Issuance of regulations for fishing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.3.md) - [15 CFR § 922.4 § 922.4 Boundaries.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.4.md) - [15 CFR § 922.5 § 922.5 Allowed activities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.5.md) - [15 CFR § 922.6 § 922.6 Prohibited or otherwise regulated activities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.6.md) - [15 CFR § 922.7 § 922.7 Emergency regulations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.7.md) - [15 CFR § 922.8 § 922.8 Penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.8.md) - [15 CFR § 922.9 § 922.9 Response costs and damages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.9.md) - [15 CFR § 922.10 § 922.10 Pre-existing authorizations or rights and certifications of pre-existing authorizations or rights.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.10.md) - [15 CFR § 922.11 § 922.11 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.11.md) - [15 CFR § 922.12 § 922.12 Sanctuary nomination process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.12.md) - [15 CFR § 922.13 § 922.13 Selection of nominated areas for national marine sanctuary designation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.13.md) - [15 CFR § 922.30 § 922.30 National Marine Sanctuary general permits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.30.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-15-922.1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.