Strategy to Reduce Ship Strikes to North Atlantic Right Whales
Related Links North Atlantic Right Whales |
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 North Atlantic Right Whale (video) (Eubalaena glacialis) Photo: NOAA  North Atlantic Right Whale (video) (Eubalaena glacialis) Photo: NOAA |
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Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) to Implement the Vessel Operational Measures to Reduce Ship Strikes to the North Atlantic Right Whale
NOAA Fisheries plans to issue regulations to reduce the likelihood of ship collisions with right whales. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) identifies and assesses alternatives to the regulations. The FEIS includes analysis of environmental and economic impacts of the alternatives. This document is available for public comment (shipstrike.eis@noaa.gov) through September 29, 2008.
- Press Release [pdf]
- Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) [pdf] [24.7 MB]
- The FEIS is also available for download by chapter.
- Federal Register Notice of Availability [pdf]
(Published 8/29/2008, 73 FR 50962) - FEIS Fact Sheet [pdf]
- Map of Areas Included in FEIS [pdf]
- Right Whale Fact Sheet [pdf]
- Right Whale Videos and Photos
Proposed Rule
- Federal Register Notice [pdf]
(Published 6/26/2006, 71 FR 36299)- Public Comment Period Extended Through October 5, 2006 [pdf]
(Published 8/14/2006, 71 FR 46440)
- Public Comment Period Extended Through October 5, 2006 [pdf]
- Press Release [pdf]
- Summary of the Rule [pdf]
- Fact Sheet [pdf]
- Public comments received [pdf] [36.0 MB] are available. The public comment period for the Proposed Rule closed on October 5, 2006.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement [pdf] [28.5 MB]
- The DEIS is also available for download by chapter.
- Economic Analysis for the DEIS [pdf] [3.2 MB]
- Appendices to the Economic Analysis [pdf] [3.6 MB]
- Federal Register Notice of Availability [pdf]
(Published 7/7/2006, 71 FR 38640) - Federal Register Notice of Public Hearings [pdf]
(Published 7/17/2006, 71 FR 40482) - DEIS Public Hearing Transcripts
- Jacksonville, FL Transcript [pdf] (8/8/2006)
- Baltimore, MD Transcript [pdf] (8/10/2006)
- Boston, MA Transcript [pdf] (8/14/2006)
- Washington, DC Transcript* [pdf] (8/22/2006)
(*hearing for American Association of Port Authorities)
- Public comments received [pdf] [11.9 MB] are available. The public comment period for the DEIS closed on October 5, 2006.
Shift of the Boston Traffic Separation Scheme
On July 1, 2007, NOAA and the USCG implemented a shift in the Traffic Separation Scheme servicing Boston to reduce the threat of vessel collisions with right whales and other whale species. The realignment is expected to result in a 58% reduction in the risk of ship strikes to right whales, and an 81% risk reduction in ship strikes of other large whale species occurring in the area. The U.S. government submitted a proposal to the International Maritime Organization to modify the shipping lanes in April 2006, which was approved in December 2006.
- Press Release [pdf]
- Proposal to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Shifting the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) into Boston [pdf]
- U.S. Coast Guard Port Access Route Study (PARS) [pdf]
- The Boston TSS is charted on NOAA Print-on-Demand Charts and NOAA Raster Navigational Charts.
- Federal Register Notice of Port Access Route Study (PARS) of area south and east of Cape Cod Bay [pdf]
(Published 11/19/2007; 72 FR 64968)
Recommended Shipping Routes
In November 2006, NOAA established a set of recommended vessel routes in four locations to reduce the likelihood of ship collisions in key right whale habitats.
NOAA, USCG Provide Commercial Mariners with Free Interactive Guide to Right Whale Protection
- Press Release [pdf]
Additional Supporting Documents
- United States' Actions to Reduce the Threat of Ship Collisions with Large Whales (June 2008 IWC) [pdf]
- Large Whale Ship Strike Database [pdf] [3.3 MB]
Jensen, A.S. and G.K. Silber. 2003. NOAA Tech Memo NMFS-OPR-25. - Characterization of Ship Traffic in Right Whale Critical Habitat [pdf] [588 KB]
- Simple analyses of ship and large whale collisions: Does speed kill? [pdf]
- Applying a Spatial Model to Evaluate the Risk of Interactions Between Vessels and Right Whales in the Southeast U.S. Critical Habitat [pdf] [4.4 MB] L.P. Garrison, 2005.
