United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States National Archives and Records Administration Office of the Federal Register author aut Government Organization text government publication eng FR Regulatory Information 1997_register executive 2010-09-24 article Rules and Regulations D09002ee1be024d25 D09002ee1be024dbe United States Department of Commerce originator org United States Government Agency or Subagency United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration originator org United States Government Agency or Subagency Disturbance is identified in the Final Recovery Plan for the Northern Right Whale (Recovery Plan) as among the principal human- induced factors impeding recovery of the northern right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) (NMFS, 1991). NMFS is issuing this interim final rule to restrict approaches within 500 yards (460 m) of a right whale, whether by vessel, aircraft or other means, in an attempt to reduce the current level of disturbance and the potential for vessel interaction and injury. This rule requires right whale avoidance measures if a vessel or aircraft is within the 500-yard (460 m) restricted area. Generally, vessels are required to immediately depart from the area at a slow, safe speed in a direction away from the whale. Exceptions are provided for emergency situations, where certain authorizations are provided for aircraft operations (unless the aircraft is conducting whale watch activities), for certain right whale disentanglement/rescue efforts and investigations, and for a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver and unable to comply with the right whale avoidance measures. 62 FR 6729 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-1997-02-13/97-3632 97-3632 fr13fe97-18 RIN 0648-AJ03 3510-22-P Docket No. 960730211-7020-02 I.D. 072296B https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-1997-02-13/97-3632 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1997-02-13/html/97-3632.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1997-02-13/pdf/97-3632.pdf 10 p. 6729 6738 62 FR 6729 Title 50 Part 217 50 CFR Part 217 Title 50 Part 222 50 CFR Part 222 RIN 0648-AJ03 North Atlantic Right Whale Protection; Federal Register Vol. 62, Issue RULE 97-3632 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Docket No. 960730211-7020-02 I.D. 072296B 3510-22-P 97-3632 Interim final rule.

Disturbance is identified in the Final Recovery Plan for the Northern Right Whale (Recovery Plan) as among the principal human- induced factors impeding recovery of the northern right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) (NMFS, 1991). NMFS is issuing this interim final rule to restrict approaches within 500 yards (460 m) of a right whale, whether by vessel, aircraft or other means, in an attempt to reduce the current level of disturbance and the potential for vessel interaction and injury. This rule requires right whale avoidance measures if a vessel or aircraft is within the 500-yard (460 m) restricted area. Generally, vessels are required to immediately depart from the area at a slow, safe speed in a direction away from the whale. Exceptions are provided for emergency situations, where certain authorizations are provided for aircraft operations (unless the aircraft is conducting whale watch activities), for certain right whale disentanglement/rescue efforts and investigations, and for a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver and unable to comply with the right whale avoidance measures.

March 17, 1997. Margot Bohan, NMFS/FPR, 301-713-2322; Doug Beach, NMFS/Northeast Regional Office, 508-281-9254; or Kathy Wang, NMFS/Southeast Regional Office, 813-570-5312. Vol. 62, no. 30 Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration 1997-02-13 continuing daily deposited born digital 159 p. Table of Contents: AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: KF70.A2 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-1997-02-13 P0b002ee180a3cd19 0097-6326 0042-1219 0364-1406 769-004-00000-9 000582072 f:fr13fe97 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-1997-02-13 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1997-02-13/pdf/FR-1997-02-13.pdf fdlp 6703 6850 DGPO 2010-09-24 2023-05-06 FR-1997-02-13 machine generated eng FR FR-1997-02-13 62 30