With the help of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team, we finalized modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to reduce serious injuries and mortalities to right, humpback, and fin whales in 2021.
On August 31, 2021, we announced the final rule to modify the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, which is expected to reduce mortalities and serious injuries from fishing gear to North Atlantic right whales, humpback whales, and fin whales. The final rule published in the Federal Register on September 17, 2021.
The gear modifications required by the rule were effective May 1, 2022.
We held a Press Call on August 31 at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
A Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) analyzing alternative modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan was published in the Federal Register on July 2, 2021. The FEIS (Volume I, Volume II, Volume III) is available for viewing and download.
We announced availability and request public comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and proposed rule on December 31, 2020 with a comment period ending on March 1, 2021.
North Atlantic right whale Catalog #3560 ‘Snow Cone’ sighted December 2, 2021 entangled and with a new calf. Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission taken under NOAA permit 20556.
Four North Atllantic right whales.
North Atlantic right whale mother and calf. Credit: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #20556-01.