Rice's Whale Core Distribution Area Map & GIS Data
Map and GIS data representing the Rice's whale core distribution area as of June 2019.
Rice’s whale is protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.
These maps and corresponding Geographic Information Systems (GIS) shapefile data represent the Rice's whale core distribution area as of June 2019 in the Southeast Region. This GIS data is based on visual sightings and tag data and represents the current core distribution area of Rice's whale based on the best available data as of June 2019. It doesn't imply knowledge of habitat preferences, and the GIS data will be updated periodically when new data become available. It is therefore subject to change. Esri's ArcGIS software or Google Earth can be used to open GIS shapefiles. Google Earth can also be used to open zipped KML (KMZ) files to view the designated management areas. Click here to download Google Earth. Metadata (information about the GIS shapefile data) is available in XML or an easy-to-read HTML format.
Final Rule (84 FR 15446, 04/15/2019)
Direct Final Rule to Revise Taxonomy and Common Name ( 86 FR 47022, 08/23/2021)
For more information or questions about this data please contact the GIS Coordinator at nmfs.ser.gis.coordinator@noaa.gov.