Marine Mammal Protection Act Section 101(a)(5)(E) - Negligible Impact Determination Central North Pacific Humpback Whale

This document explains the analysis and rationale for determining whether the mortality and serious injury incidental to U. S. commercial fisheries will have a negligible impact on the Central North Pacific stock of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), which are listed as endangered under the ESA (i.e., determination 1), above).

One commercial fishery in Hawaii and several in Alaska within the range of the CNP humpback whale population have been observed to interact with and, in some cases, cause incidental serious injury or mortality to, these whales.  Determinations regarding 2) a recovery plan, and 3) the requirements of MMPA section 118, will be made in any subsequent proposal to issue the necessary permits under MMPA section 101(a)(5)(E).