The current text of 50 CFR 216.82, Dogs prohibited, states In order to prevent molestation of fur seal herds, the landing of any dogs at Pribilof Islands is Prohibited. An invasive rat was reported on St. Paul Island (of the Pribilof Islands) in June 2024; NMFS has supported the prevention of rat introductions on the Pribilof Islands as the introduction of a rat could have significant ecological consequences for the species that live on the islands. The Aleut Community of St. Paul Island (ACSPI) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have requested that NMFS consider allowing a certified and trained rat detection dog to land on St. Paul for the purpose of confirming the presence of and locating the rat. The dog would undergo any required quarantine period, if necessary, have current health certifications and up to date immunization records, be under constant control and supervised by a professional dog handler. The purpose of the Dogs Prohibited regulation is to prevent molestation of fur seals; NMFS has interpreted molestation” as including physical disturbance and disease transmission by the dog or its feces. Since the current rule allows no exceptions to the prohibition on the landing of dogs on the Pribilofs, this proposed rule would create a seasonal exception (from December 1 to May 29, annually) revising 50 CFR 216.82 to authorize a certified and trained rat detection dog to land on the Pribilof Islands for the purpose of detecting an invasive rat.