U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary PE Advisory No. 2-97

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Department of Education

ADVISORY CIRCULAR

Number 2-97 -- 14 April 1997 -- L.Daniel Maxim, DC-E

MARINE MAMMAL AWARENESS

In 1972, Congress passed the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) in an effort to prevent the extinction of marine mammals by protecting them from the harmful actions of man. There are thirty-five species of marine mammals that range the Atlantic and Gulf Coast of the United States (thirty-two species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, two seal species and one manatee). Of these 35 species, the Northern Right Whale is the most endangered marine mammal in the world. There are currently no more than 500 remaining in the world, 295 in the North Atlantic and 205 in the North Pacific.(1) Many marine biologists believe that unless the current population trends change, extinction is a very real possibility.

From late fall to early spring, various species of whales, including the severely endangered right whales, may be encountered in local offshore and inshore waters. Vessel operators are reminded to use caution around whales. Vessels are prohibited from approaching within 500 hundred yards of a right whale. Vessels must steer a course away from the right whale and immediately leave the area.(2) The federal government can prosecute violators under both the MMPA and the Endangered Species Act. The following guidelines established by the National Marine Fisheries Service will assist boaters in avoiding harassment of marine mammals:

MARINE MAMMAL AWARENESS GUIDELINES

Avoid excessive speed or course changes when within 1500 feet of whales.
Approach stationary whales at no more than idle or no wake speed.
DO NOT attempt a head on approach to moving or resting whales.
Parallel the course and speed of moving whales.
At no time should anyone intentionally approach any whale within 100 feet.
If a whale approaches your vessel within 100 feet, put your engine in neutral and do not re-engage props until the whale is observed on the surface, clear of the 100 foot zone.
DO NOT throw plastic garbage overboard. Not only is it a danger to marine mammals, turtles and sea birds, but it is a violation of Federal Law.
For the Northern Right Whale, the federal government has imposed a 500-yard protection zone.

Ref:

(1) Northeast Regional Fisheries Training Center
(2) Local Notice to Mariners 12 (CG5) 25 MAR 1997

Advisory Circulars are issued on an irregular basis, and cover topics of potential interest to students attending U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary public education courses. There is no requirement that instructors use these circulars in their public education courses. However, these "information" notes will allow instructors to enhance PE-course material with new and interesting perspectives on a variety of boating safety-related issues.