Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations; False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan

Résumé

NMFS announces the availability of a Draft False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan developed by the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team. This proposed rule would implement the proposed False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (FKWTRP), which is based on consensus recommendations included in the Draft False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan. The proposed FKWTRP includes some changes and modifications proposed by NMFS. This action is necessary because current mortality and serious injury of the Hawaii Pelagic stock of false killer whales incidental to the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fisheries are above the stock's potential biological removal (PBR), and are therefore inconsistent with the short and long-term goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The FKWTRP is intended to meet the requirements of the MMPA through both regulatory and non-regulatory measures. Proposed regulatory measures include gear requirements, longline prohibited areas, training and certification in marine mammal handling and release, captains' supervision of marine mammal handling and release, and posting of NMFS-approved placards on longline vessels. NMFS is also proposing non-regulatory measures, inc