Chapter II — Species of Special Concern 



likely to occur. They also provide excerpts from 

 relevant regulations and advice on how to avoid 

 hitting whales. Among other points, they note that 

 vessel operators should not assume that whales will 

 avoid ships, but should keep a sharp watch for right 

 whales, listen for whale advisory broadcasts, remain 

 at least 500 yards from right whales, and be aware 

 that reduced speeds will likely reduce the chance of 

 hitting right whales as well as other whales. 



The Commission helped draft the new material, 

 and on 30 September 1998 the National Marine 

 Fisheries Service wrote to the Commission advising 

 that the National Ocean Service had published new 

 editions of Coast Pilots 1 and 2 for the northeastern 

 U.S. coast in May 1998 and that new editions of 

 Coast Pilots 3 and 4 for the mid-Atlantic and south- 

 eastern coast would be published in 1999. They also 

 noted that 27 nautical charts would need to be 

 changed and that, as they are reissued over the next 

 several years, references to right whale rules and the 

 boundaries of critical habitats would be shown on 

 each chart. 



In addition, the International Fund for Animal 

 Welfare has developed a brochure, placard, and short 

 film for distribution to mariners. The brochure and 

 placard, initially intended for use in New England, 

 were completed in 1997 and include information 

 similar to that being added to the charts and Coast 

 Pilots. They were subsequently modified to apply to 

 both New England and the southeastern U.S. coast, 

 and in 1998 the National Marine Fisheries Service, 

 the Coast Guard, and the Massachusetts Port Authori- 

 ty jointly provided funds for printing and distribution. 

 Also in 1998 the International Fund for Animal 

 Welfare began development of a short film on right 

 whale protection needs intended for distribution to 

 operators of large vessels calling at east coast ports. 

 The film, jointly funded by the agencies cited above 

 plus the Navy, Canada's Department of Fisheries and 

 Oceans, the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, and 

 the Gulf of Maine Council, is expected to be distribut- 

 ed in 1999. Also in 1999 the Coast Guard expects to 

 revise its examination for maritime licenses, which are 

 required for professional mariners, to include ques- 

 tions on right whale protection needs. 



Mandatory Ship Reporting System — As noted 

 above, the Navy has directed that its vessels transiting 

 the right whale calving grounds contact its Fleet 

 Activities Control and Surveillance Facility before 

 entering the area to obtain recent whale sighting 

 reports and related recommendations. The measure 

 helps ensure that its vessel operators are reminded of 

 the need for special vigilance and caution regarding 

 right whales. The Navy also restricts north-south 

 travel through the calving grounds to the extent 

 possible to minimize travel distances through areas 

 where right whales are most likely to occur. Similar 

 measures have not been established for commercial 

 ships operating in the same area, although the need to 

 do so has been recognized. 



In this regard, the International Maritime Organiza- 

 tion (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Na- 

 tions, provides a forum for countries to address 

 management needs related to international shipping. 

 The U.S. Coast Guard has lead responsibility for 

 representing the United States at IMO meetings. As 

 discussed below, in December 1998 the IMO unani- 

 mously approved a mandatory ship reporting system 

 to provide mariners with information to help reduce 

 the risk of hitting right whales. 



Given the relevance of IMO responsibilities for 

 international shipping, the Marine Mammal Commis- 

 sion determined that the IMO should be advised of the 

 conservation issues involving collisions between ships 

 and right whales and the possible need for action. 

 Therefore, the Commission, in consultation with the 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

 drafted an information paper for submission to the 

 IMO. The draft paper described the effects of ship 

 traffic on right whales, the steps being taken by the 

 United States to address the problem, and the possible 

 need to apply IMO measures, such as those for ship 

 routing and mandatory ship reporting, to help mitigate 

 vessel-related impacts on right whales. The draft 

 paper was transmitted jointly to the Coast Guard by 

 the two agencies and, after further revision, it was 

 submitted for consideration at the 40th session of the 

 IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee on 

 18-25 September 1997. 



To ensure that vessel operators are aware of right 

 whale protection needs, related advice in Coast Pilots, 



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