International trade · 04/09/2013Updated: 10/17/2026 · 1 min read
NMFS Issues Temporary Regulations to Protect Sperm Whales in California Drift Gillnet Fishery
Summary
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is implementing temporary regulations to protect sperm whales in the California Drift Gillnet Fishery, requiring vessels to carry a trained observer and install a vessel monitoring system (VMS) if one sperm whale is killed or seriously injured in the gear, and mandating 100% observer coverage in a designated zone from August 15, 2013 to January 31, 2014.