False Killer Whale Take Reduction
In January 2010, we established a Take Reduction Team (Team) to address the incidental mortality and serious injury of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in the Hawaii-based deep-set and shallow-set longline fisheries.
False Killer Whale Take Reduction
The Team was charged with drafting a Take Reduction Plan (Plan) for reducing that mortality and serious injury, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
In November 2009, we convened an informational public meeting to provide:
- Background information on the MMPA Take Reduction Program and Team process
- An overview of key marine mammal abundance and incidental take information, including mortality and serious injury data
- An opportunity for affected stakeholders to develop a common understanding of the problem and parameters prior to formally convening a Team
Though the information meeting was not intended to generate recommendations to us, a meeting summary [pdf] is available.
Team Process
We established the Team on January 19, 2010 (75 FR 2853). View a complete list of the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team members with contact information.
The Team met four times within six months to develop a draft Plan by consensus and submitted the draft to us on July 19, 2010. We considered the draft Plan submitted by the Team, and published a proposed rule to implement the Plan on July 18, 2011.
The public comment period for the proposed rule closed on October 17, 2011.
We considered the comments received and published a Final Rule on November 29, 2012.
We monitor the Plan's progress and ensure it meets the MMPA goal of reducing mortality and serious injury of false killer whales incidental to the fisheries addressed by the Plan. If mortality and serious injury is not reduced to appropriate levels, we will reconvene the Team to develop additional measures.
Team Meetings
- March 28–31, 2023
Prince Waikiki
Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI - November 7–10, 2022
Alohalani Resort Waikiki Beach
Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI -
October 7 and 9, 2020
Teleconference - August 3, 2018
Teleconference- Teleconference Summary [PDF, 3 pages]
- July 11, 2018
Teleconference- Teleconference Summary [PDF, 4 pages]
- June 15, 2018
Teleconference- Teleconference Summary [PDF, 5 pages]
- January 5, 2018
Teleconference- Teleconference Summary [PDF, 4 pages]
- June 20, 2017
Teleconference- Teleconference Summary [PDF, 5 pages]
- December 15, 2016
Teleconference- Teleconference Summary [PDF, 5 pages]
- April 29–May 1, 2015
Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head
Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI- Meeting #7 Summary [PDF]
- April 18, 2014
Teleconference- Teleconference Summary [PDF]
- May 29–31, 2013
NOAA Fisheries Honolulu Service Center
Pier 38, Honolulu Harbor
Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI- Meeting #6 Summary [PDF]
- March 8, 2013
Teleconference- Teleconference Summary [PDF]
- December 7, 2012
Webinar- Webinar Summary
- October 4, 2011
Teleconference- Teleconference Summary
- July 27–29, 2011
Moana Surfrider
Honolulu, Oahu, HI- Meeting #5 Summary
- July 13–16, 2010
Moana Surfrider
Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI- Draft Take Reduction Plan (serves as the Summary for Meeting 4)
- June 15–18, 2010
Turtle Bay Resort
Kahuku, Oʻahu, HI- Meeting #3 Summary
- April 6–9, 2010
Maui Sheraton
Lahaina, Maui, HI- Meeting #2 Summary
- February 17–19, 2010
Sheraton Waikiki
Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI- Meeting #1 Summary
- "Pre-Team" Meeting: November 19–20, 2009
Honolulu, Oahu, HI- "Pre-Team" Meeting Summary
Regulatory Actions
- Trigger Change for Southern Exclusion Zone (89 FR 13694; February 23, 2024)
- Opening of Southern Exclusion Zone (85 FR 50959; August 19, 2020)
- Closure of Southern Exclusion Zone (84 FR 5356; February 22, 2019)
- Closure of Southern Exclusion Zone (83 FR 33848; July 18, 2018)