WASHINGTON DC (26 Feb 2002) -- The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is considering developing regulations to protect whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions from human harassment. NMFS managers want to gauge how to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations or provide other measures to prevent harassment and harm to marine mammals in the wild caused by human interactions or inappropriate viewing activities. "We encourage people to view and enjoy marine mammals in their natural habitat, but in a responsible way. We're becoming increasingly concerned with the number of inappropriate activities and close interactions that may harm the animals and place people at risk," said NMFS assistant administrator Bill Hogarth. "We're asking for the public's guidance in developing appropriate rules that better protect wild marine mammals, yet still promote responsible marine wildlife viewing on our waters and beaches." An increasing number of people are attempting to approach, swim with, touch or otherwise interact with wild marine mammals. NMFS agents and managers have observed or received complaints about people chasing or swimming with wild dolphins and whales, using vessels to make dolphins ride the bow wave or surf the stern wake, throwing objects at seals or sea lions to make them 'pose' for pictures, and attempting to pet, touch or feed the animals. These activities can disturb and injure marine mammals. Animals that are resting, foraging, caring for young, or using particular habitats for shelter are at special risk from harassment by humans. The MMPA now provides general prohibitions against harassing or feeding wild marine mammals, and includes specific restrictions on approaching humpback whales in Hawaii and Alaska, and North Atlantic right whales in the Northeast. | | NMFS regulations aim to prevent human harassment of marine mammals. NMFS already offers an official policy to supplement the MMPA, which states "interacting with wild marine mammals should not be attempted, and viewing marine mammals must be conducted in a manner that does not harass the animals." NMFS "cannot support, condone, approve or authorize activities that involve closely approaching, interacting or attempting to interact with whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals or sea lions in the wild. This includes attempting to swim with, pet, touch, feed or elicit a reaction from the animals," the policy states. The current proposal seeks to clarify which activities can be disruptive to wild marine mammals, and provide appropriate solutions for addressing human activities of concern. NMFS will accept comments on the proposal until April 1. Comments should be addressed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. SOURCE - ENSSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
