NOAA Fisheries News Releases
NEWS RELEASE
June 26, 2000
Carol Tocco, Public Affairs NMFS
(907) 586-7032
NOAA FISHERIES PROPOSES EXTRA PROTECTION FOR HUMPBACK WHALES
New Rules Would Regulate Whale Watching in Alaska
Scientists at NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service are concerned that humpback whales in Alaskan waters could be threatened by recent significant increases in whale watching activities. Therefore, the agency is proposing regulations (PDF) to establish minimum approach distances for all vessels operating around humpback whales.
"The recent boom in the marine mammal viewing industry here in Alaska has prompted us to look closely at the threat to humpback whales caused by whale watching," said Jim Balsiger, Alaska Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries. "There is a high potential for vessels to disturb marine mammals, so we have developed draft measures to minimize disturbances, while still providing a satisfactory whale watching opportunity."
Under the proposed regulations, it would be unlawful to approach, by any means including interception, within 200 yards of a humpback whale.
The predictable nature of North Pacific humpback whale summer feeding in Alaskan waters provides unique opportunities for whale watching in areas easily accessible from many coastal communities. The intensive feeding behavior of the whales along with a good supply of food throughout the region results in animals remaining in relatively defined areas over long periods of time. This combination of factors has recently led to extensive development of a whale watch industry. The coastal hubs of this industry are the southeast Alaska communities of Petersburg, Juneau, Sitka, and Gustavus, as well as Seward and Homer in southcentral Alaska.
In 1996, NOAA Fisheries developed a set of voluntary Marine Mammal Viewing Guidelines to help people avoid harassing or "taking" a marine mammal, as defined by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and to provide protection to marine mammals subjected to viewing pressure. The guidelines have relied on voluntary compliance by the public and the charter boat industry since implementation.
However, after three years of extensive public outreach to promote the Marine Mammal Viewing Guidelines, non-compliance continues to occur. After careful evaluation, NOAA Fisheries scientists and managers have concluded that regulations are necessary to manage the threat and minimize the potential impact to humpback whales caused by increased human viewing pressure.
Scientists are concerned that they may not fully understand the impact of the current level of viewing pressure, or any increased viewing pressure, for many years. Rather than risk harm to the species by waiting to detect a long-term negative response to increased pressure, NOAA Fisheries managers would rather take a precautionary approach now to more effectively manage vessel interactions with humpback whales in waters off Alaska.
NOAA Fisheries invites the public to comment on the proposed rule. Complete text can be located at www.fakr.noaa.gov . The comment period opens June 26 and continues until August 10, 2000. Send comments to Mike Payne, Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, Alaska 99802-1668. Comments also may be sent via facsimile (fax) to 907-586-7012. We cannot accept comments sent via email or Internet. Courier or hand delivery of comments may be made to NMFS in the Federal Building, 709 West 9th St., Room 461, Juneau, AK.