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Humpback Whales in Hawaii 



A substantial part of the North Pacific humpback whale 

 population inhabits the waters surrounding the main Hawaiian 

 Islands during the winter and spring breeding season. As 

 described in previous Annual Reports, the Commission has 

 worked with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the 

 State of Hawaii to identify and implement research and 

 management programs needed to protect the whales and their 

 habitat. 



In late 1977, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

 Administration's National Ocean Service, Office of Ocean and 

 Coastal Resource Management, received a proposal to establish 

 a National Marine Sanctuary for humpback whales in Hawaii 

 under the authority of the Marine Protection, Research, 

 and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. Since then, the Commission has 

 consulted informally with the Office, the State of Hawaii, 

 and others to help assess the practicalities of creating a 

 humpback sanctuary in Hawaii and the potential protection it 

 would offer. At its February 1983 meeting in Hawaii, the 

 Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors were 

 briefed on the status of both humpback research activities 

 and the marine sanctuary proposal by representatives of the 

 National Marine Fisheries Service, the National Ocean 

 Service, and the State of Hawaii. 



During the meeting and subsequent discussions, it 

 became apparent that there was not strong public support for 

 the sanctuary proposal in Hawaii and that the lack of 

 support was largely attributable to confusion about what 

 sanctuary designation actually would entail, particularly 

 with respect to new regulations concerning fishing, boating, 

 and other water activities. To resolve the uncertainties, 

 the Commission, in discussions with State and Federal officials, 

 suggested that the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource 

 Management draft a proposed schedule for making the necessary 

 determinations, discuss the proposed schedule with interested 

 people in Hawaii and elsewhere, and provide ample opportunity 

 for evaluating and responding to any concerns or proposals. 



In May 1983, the Office announced its intent to prepare 

 a Draft Sanctuary Management Plan and a Draft Environmental 

 Impact Statement on the proposed sanctuary. At the same 

 time, it sought State assistance in evaluating several key 

 issues related to management. In response, the State created 

 a Governor's Advisory Committee, which included representatives 

 of a broad range of user interests, to assist in identifying 

 issues and preparing supporting documents. The Draft 

 Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement are 

 expected to be completed and distributed for review and 

 comment early in 1984. 



