[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 1, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29270-29271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13663]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Whale Watch Guidelines

[I.D.052499D]
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Revised Whale Watch Guidelines for 
Vessel Operations in the Northeastern United States.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Region (NMFS/
NER) has, in coordination with the Northeast Recovery Plan 
Implementation Team, revised the operational guidelines for all vessels 
engaged in whale watching in the northeastern United States. The 
revised guidelines address concerns about the possibility of whale 
watch vessels colliding with whales. NMFS/NER, which first developed 
whale watching guidelines in 1985, has revised the guidelines to 
provide specific vessel speed recommendations, decrease the number of 
vessels that should be in close proximity to whales, and recommend the 
use of lookouts when entering or departing known whale aggregation 
areas.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the new guidelines are available by writing or 
calling either Douglas Beach, NMFS, One Blackburn Dr., Gloucester, MA 
01930, 978/281-9254; or Anne Smrcina, NOS, Stellwagen National Marine 
Sanctuary, 175 Edward Foster Rd., Scituate, MA 02066, 781/545-8026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Beach, NMFS, Northeast Region 
978/281-9254; or Anne Smrcina, NOS, Stellwagen Bank National Marine 
Sanctuary 781/545-8026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Whale watch vessel operators seek out areas 
where whales concentrate, which has led to numbers of vessels 
congregating around groups of whales, and thereby increased the 
potential for harassment, injury or death of these animals. NMFS 
Northeast Region has attempted to address this situation with a 
combination of enforcing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 9 
prohibitions against taking listed species, promulgating regulations 
limiting approaches to right whales to 500 yards, and issuing 
operational guidelines in 1985 to give vessel operators guidance on how 
to approach large whales without causing harassment. However, since the 
guidelines were first issued, the increase in numbers and overall speed 
of vessels operating in whale high use areas has raised the risk of 
collision with whales, as evidenced by two collisions with whales that 
occurred during the summer of 1998. The Northeast Recovery Plan 
Implementation Team, which works to implement the ESA Right Whale and 
Humpback Whale Recovery Plans, established a Whale Watch Advisory Group 
(WWAG) under its Ship Strike Sub-Committee to look into appropriate 
measures to address this increasing threat to whales. The WWAG came up 
with revisions to the existing guidelines that would address the issue. 
NMFS has revised the guidelines to incorporate the recommendations of 
the WWAG.
    The revised guidelines include several measures intended to 
decrease the likelihood of future adverse interactions with whales, 
such as collisions. The previous guidelines, for instance, included a 
circular Whale Awareness Zone that extended one-quarter mile from any 
observed whale. The new awareness zone in the revised guidelines 
extends two miles from any observed whale. The new guidelines recommend 
specific speed limits for vessels approaching or departing from whales 
and further recommend the posting of a dedicated lookout to keep track 
of all whales in the area and to advise the vessel operator of their 
location when entering or leaving whale watching areas.
    The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Auxiliary has established a program to 
monitor the effectiveness of the revised whale approach guidelines, and 
will deploy trained observers aboard vessels owned by a number of 
commercial

[[Page 29271]]

whale watch companies who have volunteered to participate in this 
monitoring program. The USCG Auxiliary will also use other platforms, 
such as USCG Auxiliary vessels and aircraft to observe the activities 
of recreational and commercial whale watch vessel operators on 
Stellwagen Bank and in other waters off New England during the 1999 
season.
    The results of the USCG Auxiliary monitoring program are expected 
to help NOAA determine whether the voluntary guidelines are sufficient 
or whether additional measures, such as regulations, need to be 
implemented to prevent harassment or injury of whales in coastal waters 
of the Northeastern United States.

    Dated: May 24, 1999.
Andrew Rosenberg,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-13663 Filed 5-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F