Establishment of Time-Area Closures for Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins under the Marine Mammal Protection Act

10 organizations filed 13 public comments on Establishment of Time-Area Closures for Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The comment window closed 1674d ago.

Abstract

We, NMFS, propose a regulation under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to establish mandatory time-area closures of Hawaiian spinner dolphins’ essential daytime habitats at five selected sites in the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). These regulatory measures are intended to reduce take of Hawaiian spinner dolphins from occurring in inshore marine areas at essential daytime habitats, and where high levels of disturbance from human activities are most prevalent. During designated times, unless subject to an exception as described in this rule, these regulatory measures would prohibit any person or vessel, on or below the surface, to enter, cause to enter, solicit to enter, or remain within any of the five time-area closures, for the purpose of preventing take of Hawaiian spinner dolphins in areas identified as important essential daytime habitats for spinner dolphins that have high levels of human disturbance. The proposed mandatory time-area closures would occur from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in areas of Kealakekua Bay, Hōnaunau Bay, Kauhakō Bay (Ho‘okena), and Makako Bay on Hawai‘i Island, and La Perouse Bay on Maui.

Commenters (10)

• Kauhako Ohana Associationtrade assoc.

  4 filings · confidence 85%
• Animal Welfare Institutetrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 97%
• Graduate Students at Texas A&M Universityunverified attribution

  1 filing · confidence 70%
• HAWAII DOLPHIN EDUCATORS ASSOCIATIONtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Hawaii Fishing & Boating Associationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fundtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commercetrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Oceanic Preservation Societytrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Pacific Whale Foundationtrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%
• Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Counciltrade assoc.

  1 filing · confidence 85%