Environmental statements; availability, etc.: Whale watching vessels; operational guidelines,

[Federal Register: June 1, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 104)]

[Notices]

[Page 29270-29271]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr01jn99-34]

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.

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

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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. 99-13663Filed5-28-99; 8:45 am]

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