Marine Mammals

The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) is hosting two linked workshops in the summer of 2014 at the University of St. Andrews,Scotland. The aim of these workshops is to train participants in the latest methods for design and analysis of distance sampling surveys, including line and point transects. The workshops are taught by leading researchers in the field, using industry-standard software.

The first workshop (19-22 August) will run at an introductory level, and will focus on distance sampling methods, largely described in the standard reference book “Introduction to Distance Sampling.” The workshop will be a blend of theory and practice and participants will learn how to use the program “Distance.” Participants will gain a solid grounding in both survey design and methods of analysis for distance sampling survey.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization to the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Study of Coastal Oceans at the University of California Santa Cruz for an Incidental Harassment Authorizatio to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to rocky intertidal monitoring surveys.  This IHA is effective December 17, 2013,through December 16, 2014.

Click here to read Federal Register notice of this IHA.

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has issued regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to govern the the U.S. Navy’s unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing Study Area from December 2013 through December 2018. These regulations allow NMFS to issue Letters of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during the Navy’s specified activities and timeframes, set forth the permissible methods of taking, set forth other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, and set forth requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of the incidental take.

Following the decision of the Seventh International Conference “Marine
Mammals of the Holarctic” (Suzdal, Russia, September 2012) the Marine
Mammal Council (Russia) is organizing the Eighth International Conference
“Marine Mammals of the Holarctic”.

The conference is planned to be held on the base of SUE  (Vodokanal of St.
Petersburg), St. Petersburg, Russia during 22-27 September 2014.

The purpose of the Conference is to discuss results and prospects for
study, conservation and use of marine mammals of the northern Hemisphere.
Although all topics concerning cetaceans, pinnipeds, sea otters, and polar
bears are welcome, the following topics will be emphasized:

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has eliminated the expiration date (or “sunset clause”) contained in regulations requiring vessel speed restrictions to reduce the likelihood of lethal vessel collisions with North Atlantic right whales. The regulations restrict vessel speeds to no more than 10 knots for vessels 65 ft (19.8 m) or greater in overall length in certain locations and at certain times of the year along the east coast of the U.S. Atlantic seaboard. The purpose of the regulation is to reduce the likelihood of deaths and serious injuries to endangered North Atlantic right whales that result from collisions with ships. The speed regulations will expire December 9, 2013, unless the sunset clause is removed. With this final rule, NMFS has removed the rule’s sunset provision. All other aspects of the rule remain in place until circumstances warrant further changes to the rule.

The U.S. Navy’s Fleet Forces Command has a new Facebook page: U.S. Navy Stewards of the Sea. The Navy hopes that this page will be a source of information regarding the U.S. Navy’s environmental stewardship efforts: e.g., marine mammal monitoring efforts, oyster reef restoration projects, and sea turtle tagging efforts. Click here for Navy’s new Facebook page.

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization to the U.S. Navy to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, two species of marine mammals during construction activities associated with a pier maintenance project at Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton, Washington. This authorization is effective from December 1, 2013, through March 1, 2014.  This authorization is issued pursuant to the marine Mammal Protection Act. A copy of the Navy’s application and any supporting documents may be obtained here.

The U. S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has announced that the public comment period on the recently released Call for Information and Nominations on Proposed Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Sale 237 will be extended to Dec. 3, 2013. On Sept. 26, 2013, when the Bureau published the Call, the public comment period was scheduled to last from Sept. 26 to Nov. 18. However, in light of the federal government shutdown from Oct. 1 through Oct. 16, BOEM is extending the comment period to ensure its partner agencies, industry and the public have adequate time to review the issues and comment.

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has reviewed the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine mammal stock assessment reports in accordance with the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act. SARs for marine mammals in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions were revised according to new information. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 2013 SARs. Comments must be received by February 4, 2014.

Click here for NMFS’ Federal Register notice of the revised SARs.

The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has published final rules removing the eastern distinct population segment  of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In response to two delisting petitions, NMFS determined that this DPS has recovered and no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the ESA: It is not in danger of extinction or likely to become so within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Click here to read NMFS’ Federal Register notice of delisting.