NMFS is considering whether to propose regulations to protect marine mammals in the wild from human activities that are directed at the animals and that have the potential to harass the animals. Some of these activities include feeding wild marine mammals, and "Swim-With" programs.
PROPOSED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 216
[Docket No. 020103001-2001-01;I.D. 122001B]
RIN: 0648-AN43
Preventing Harassment From Human Activities Directed at Marine Mammals in the Wild
Wednesday, January 30, 2002
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
SUMMARY: NMFS is considering whether to propose regulations to protect marine mammals in the wild from human activities that are directed at the animals and that have the potential to harass the animals. The scope of this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) encompasses any activity of any person or conveyance engaged in direct interactions with marine mammals in the wild. NMFS requests comments on what type of regulations and other measures would be appropriate to prevent harassment of marine mammals in the wild caused by human activities directed at the animals.
DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later than April 1, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) should be addressed to Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or fax to 301-713-0376.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trevor Spradlin, Office of Protected Resources, 301-713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Viewing whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions in their natural habitat can be an educational and enriching experience if conducted safely and responsibly. Over the past decade, whale watching activities have grown into a billion dollar ($US) industry involving over 80 countries and territories and over 9 million participants (Hoyt 2001). Increasing numbers of commercial operations are offering close interactions with wild marine mammals, including opportunities to swim with, touch or handle the animals.
As human interactions with wild marine mammals increase, the risk of disturbing or injuring the animals also increases. The following human activities directed at marine mammals in the wild are of particular concern to NMFS:
"Swim-with" activities: Over the past several years, swimming with wild dolphins has significantly increased in the Southeast U.S. and Hawaii, and is beginning to expand to other U.S. coastal areas and to other species of marine mammals. In the Southeast, swimming with bottlenose dolphins appears to be facilitated by illegal feeding activities, which have been prohibited since 1991 when NMFS amended the definition of "take" under 50 CFR 216.3 to include feeding or attempting to feed a marine mammal (56 FR 11693, March, 20, 1991). In Hawaii, where feeding of wild dolphins has not been a concern, swim activities primarily target Hawaiian spinner dolphins and take advantage of the dolphins' use of shallow coves and bays during the day to rest and care for their young. In the Southwest, tour operators are offering opportunities to dive and swim with gray whales, pilot whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbor seals, and sea lions.
Vessel-based interactions: The use of motorized or non-motorized vessels (e.g., outboard or inboard boats, kayaks, canoes, underwater scooters, or other types of water craft) to interact with marine mammals in the wild is also a rapidly growing activity nationwide. For example, NMFS has received complaints from researchers and members of the public that include: (1) operators of motorized vessels driving through groups of dolphins in order to elicit bow-riding behavior (e.g., bottlenose dolphins in the Southeast, spinner dolphins in Hawaii, Dall's porpoise in the Northwest); (2) kayakers and canoers utilizing the quiet nature of their vessels to closely approach and observe or photograph cetaceans and pinnipeds (e.g., killer whales in the Northwest, large whales and pinnipeds in California and the Northeast); (3) whale watchers attempting to touch and pet gray whales in California; (4) people using underwater "scooters" to closely approach, pursue and interact with the animals (e.g., dolphins in the Southeast); and (5) operators of personal watercraft tightly circling or crossing through groups of dolphins, often at high speed, to closely approach, pursue and interact with the animals (e.g., dolphins along the mid-Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico).
Land-based interactions: Public interactions with marine mammals on land have increased in recent years. Elephant seals, harbor seals and sea lions in the Southwest, and monk seals in Hawaii, are closely approached by people for the purpose of observing them, posing with them for pictures, touching, petting, poking, throwing objects at them to elicit a reaction, or simply strolling among them.
Researchers monitoring the effects of human disturbance on wild marine mammals report boat strikes, disruption of behaviors and social groups, separation of mothers and young, abandonment of resting areas, and habituation to humans (for some examples, see Kovacs and Innes 1990, Kruse 1991, Janik and Thompson 1996, Wells and Scott 1997, Christie 1998, Samuels and Bejder 1998, Bejder et al. 1999, Colborn 1999, Constantine 1999, Cope et al. 1999, Mortenson et al. 2000, Samuels et al. 2000, Constantine 2001, Lelli and Harris 2001, Nowacek et al. 2001).
In addition, there are significant public safety considerations as people have been seriously injured while trying to interact with wild marine mammals. People have been bitten or otherwise injured while trying to closely approach, feed, swim with, pet or interact with wild cetaceans or pinnipeds (Webb 1978, Shane et al. 1993, NMFS 1994, Wilson 1994, Orams et al. 1996, Seideman 1997, Christie 1998, Samuels and Bejder 1998, Samuels et al. 2000). In one case, a dolphin killed a swimmer who was harassing the animal (Santos 1997). Some marine mammals that have injured people have been labeled as "nuisance animals," and individuals have requested the animals be removed from the wild or euthanized.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. (MMPA), prohibits the "take" of marine mammals which includes "harassment." Section 3(13) of the MMPA defines the term "take" as "to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal." Section 3(18)(A) of the MMPA defines the term "harassment" as "any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which - (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild, (Level A harassment), or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering (Level B harassment)."
In addition, NMFS regulations implementing the MMPA specify that the term "take" includes: the negligent or intentional operation of an aircraft or vessel, or the doing of any other negligent or intentional act which results in disturbing or molesting a marine mammal; and feeding or attempting to feed a marine mammal in the wild (50 CFR 216.3).
The MMPA does not provide for a permit or other authorization process to view or interact with wild marine mammals, except for specific listed purposes such as scientific research. Therefore, 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 or elicit a reaction from the animals. NMFS believes that such interactions constitute "harassment" as defined in the MMPA since they involve acts of pursuit, torment or annoyance that have the potential to injure or disrupt the behavioral patterns of wild marine mammals.
Each of the five NMFS Regions has developed recommended viewing guidelines to educate the general public on how to responsibly view marine mammals in the wild and avoid harassing them (e.g., minimum approach distances for observing the animals on land or on board a vessel; use binoculars or telephoto lenses to get a good view of the animals; limit observation time to 30 minutes or less). NMFS Regional Wildlife Viewing Guidelines for Marine Mammals are available on line at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/MMWatch/MMViewing.html
NMFS recognizes that there are situations where wild marine mammals will approach people on their own accord, either out of curiosity or to ride the bow wave/surf the stern wake of a vessel underway. If wild marine mammals approach a vessel underway, NMFS recommends that the vessel maintain its course and avoid abrupt changes in direction or speed to avoid running over or injuring the animals. Vessels that are stationary should remain still to allow the animals to pass. If wild marine mammals enter an area used by swimmers or divers, NMFS recommends avoiding abrupt movements and moving away. Under no circumstances should people try to feed, touch, pet, ride or chase marine mammals in the wild.
To support these guidelines, NMFS initiated a nationwide education and outreach program and in 1997 expanded its efforts by developing the "Protect Dolphins" campaign to address growing concerns about feeding and harassment activities with wild dolphins in the Southeast. In 1998, NMFS further expanded its education and outreach efforts by joining Watchable Wildlife, a consortium of federal and state wildlife agencies and wildlife interest groups that encourages passive viewing of wildlife from a distance for the safety and well- being of both animals and people (Duda 1995, Oberbillig 2000).
The guidelines have relied on voluntary compliance by the public and commercial operators. Although "takes" may be prosecuted under the MMPA, the guidelines themselves are not enforceable. After more than a decade of extensive efforts to promote NMFS' educational message and marine mammal viewing guidelines, noncompliance continues. For example, advertisements on the Internet and in local media in Hawaii, California and Florida are promoting activities that clearly contradict the NMFS guidelines and appear to depict harassment of the animals. NMFS has received letters from the Marine Mammal Commission (MMC), members of the scientific research community, environmental groups, the public display community, and members of the general public expressing the view that swimming with and other types of interactions with wild marine mammals have the potential to harass the animals by causing injury or disruption of normal behavior patterns. NMFS has also received inquiries from members of the public and commercial tour operators requesting clarification on NMFS' policy and the MMPA restrictions on closely approaching, swimming with or interacting with wild cetaceans.
The MMC sponsored a literature review by Samuels et al. (2000) to compile information regarding human interactions with marine mammals in the wild. Upon review of the report, the MMC stated:
"The information and analyses in the report provide compelling evidence that any efforts to interact intentionally with dolphins in the wild are likely to result in at least Level B harassment and, in some cases, could result in the death or injury of both people and marine mammals."
The MMC therefore recommended to NMFS that it "promulgate regulations specifying that any activity intended to enable in-water interactions between humans and dolphins in the wild constitutes a taking and is prohibited" (Letter from MMC to NMFS dated May 23, 2000). Based on both the scientific evidence and the legal framework of the MMPA, NMFS believes that these concerns apply equally to all species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions.
On August 3, 1992, NMFS published proposed regulations (57 FR 34101) to provide greater protection for marine mammals by specifying, among other actions, minimum distances that people, vessels, and aircraft should maintain from these animals to avoid harming them. NMFS withdrew the proposed regulations on March 29, 1993 (58 FR 16519) to further evaluate the comments received and to consider alternatives for addressing the problem of close approach of marine mammals by vessels/persons. Since then, NMFS has continued to monitor the growing body of scientific evidence regarding the impacts of human activities directed at marine mammals in the wild, and NMFS has routinely received letters of concern from researchers, wildlife protection groups and private citizens regarding human interactions with wild marine mammals. As a result, NMFS has concluded that development of a proposed rule to prevent harassment from human activities directed at marine mammals in the wild may be warranted.
Request for Comments
NMFS is requesting comments on what type of regulations and other measures would be appropriate to prevent harassment from human activities directed at marine mammals in the wild. NMFS offers several possible options for consideration and comment, and recognizes that other possibilities may exist including a combination of the following:
Codify the current NMFS Regional marine mammal viewing guidelines - Codifying the guidelines as regulations would make them requirements rather than recommendations, and would provide for enforcement of these provisions and penalties for violations.
Codify the current marine mammal viewing guidelines with improvements - The current guidelines could be revised to more clearly address specific activities of concern, and then codified as enforceable regulations.
Establish minimum approach rule - Similar to the minimum approach rules for humpback whales in Hawaii and Alaska, and right whales in the North Atlantic (50 CFR 224.103; 66 FR 29502, May 31, 2001), a limit could be established by regulation to accommodate a reasonable level of wildlife viewing opportunity while minimizing harassment from human activities directed at marine mammals in the wild. If establishing a minimum approach rule is appropriate, then NMFS would have to consider whether or not distances should be specific to particular species and/or Regions, and whether or not distances should be consistent between vessel platforms and from land. NMFS would consider exceptions for situations in which marine mammals approach vessels or humans as well as other situations in which approach is not reasonably avoidable.
Restrict activities of concern - Similar to the prohibition on feeding wild marine mammals, a regulation amending the definition of "take" and/or "harassment" could clarify which specific activities are prohibited, e.g., interacting or attempting to interact with a marine mammal in the wild. Interaction would include swimming with, touching (either directly or with an object), posing with, or otherwise acting on or with a marine mammal. This would include interaction by any means or medium, including interception, on land, on/in the water, or from the air. It would also include operating a vessel or providing other platforms from which interactions are conducted or supported.
Dated: January 24, 2002.
William T. Hogarth,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
References
Bejder, L., S.M. Dawson and J.A. Harraway. 1999. Responses by Hector's dolphins to boats and swimmers in Porpoise Bay, New Zealand. Marine Mammal Science, 15(32):738-750.
Colborn, K. 1999. Interactions between humans and bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, near Panama City, Florida. Master's Thesis, Duke University, Durham, NC. 45 pp.
Constantine, R. 1999. Effects of tourism on marine mammals in New Zealand. SciConservation: 106. Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand. 60 pp.
Constantine, R. 2001. Increased avoidance of swimmers by wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) due to long-term exposure to swim- with-dolphin tourism. Marine Mammal Science, 17(4):689-7.
Christie, S. 1998. Learning to live with giants: Elephant seals get the right of way at Piedras Blancas. California Coast & Oceans, 14(1):11-14.
Cope, M., D. St. Aubain and J. Thomas. 1999. The effect of boat activity on the behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the nearshore waters of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Abstracts of the 13th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Wailea, Hawaii, November 28- December 3, 1999. Pg. 37.
Duda, Mark D. 1995. Watching Wildlife: Tips, Gear and great Places for Enjoying America's Wild Creatures. Falcon Press Publishing Co., Helena and Billings, MT. 117 pp.
Hoyt, E. 2001. Whale watching 2001: Worldwide Tourism Numbers, Expenditures, and Expanding Scioeconomic Benefits. International Fund for Animal Welfare, Yarmouth Port, MA, USA. 158 pp.
Janik, V.M. and P.M. Thompson. 1996. Changes in surfacing patterns of bottlenose dolphins in response to boat traffic. Marine Mammal Science, 12(4): 597-602.
Kovacs, K.M. and S. Innes. 1990. The impact of tourism on harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 26:15-26.
Kruse, S. 1991. The interactions between killer whales and boats in Johnstone Strait, B.C. In: K. Pryor and K.S. Norris (Eds.), Dolphin Societies - Discoveries and Puzzles. University of California Press, Berkeley. Pgs. 149- 159.
Lelli, B. and D.E. Harris. 2001. Human disturbances affect harbor seal haul- out behavior: Can the law protect these seals from boaters? Macalester Environmental Review, October 23, 2001.
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. 16 U.S.C. et seq. and 50 CFR 216.
Mortenson, J., M. Brown, J. Roletto, L. Grella, L. Culp and J. Kin. 2000. SEALS-Sanctuary Education Awareness and Long-Term Stewardship Annual Report, July 1997-June 1998. Unpublished Report, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, San Francisco, CA.
NMFS. 1994. Report to Congress on Results of Feeding Wild Dolphins: 1989- 1994. NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources. 23 pp.
Nowacek, S.M., R.S. Wells, and A.R. Solow. 2001. The effects of boat traffic on bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in Sarasota Bay. Marine Mammal Science 17:673-688.
Oberbillig, D.E. 2000. Providing Positive Wildlife Viewing Experiences: A Practical Handbook. Watchable Wildlife, Inc., Colorado Division of Wildlife Publication. 68 pp.
Orams, M.B., G.J.E. Hill and A.J. Baglioni, Jr. 1996. "Pushy" behavior in a wild dolphin feeding program at Tangalooma, Australia. Marine Mammal Science, 12(1):107-117.
Samuels, A. and L. Bejder. 1998. Habitual interactions between humans and wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) near Panama City Beach, Florida. Report to the Marine Mammal Commission, Silver Spring, MD. 13 pp.
Samuels, A., L. Bejder and S. Heinrich. 2000. A Review of the Literature Pertaining to Swimming with Wild Dolphins. Report to the Marine Mammal Commission. 57 pp.
Santos, M.C.d.O. 1997. Lone sociable bottlenose dolphin in Brazil: Human fatality and management. Marine Mammal Science, 13(2):355-356.
Seideman, D. 1997. Swimming with trouble. Audubon, 99:76-82.
Shane, S.H., L. Tepley and L. Costello. 1993. Life threatening contact between a woman and a pilot whale captured on film. Marine Mammal Science, 9(3):331-336.
Webb, N.G. 1978. Women and children abducted by a wild but sociable adult male bottlenose dolphin. Carnivore, 1(2):89-94.
Wells, R.S. and M.D. Scott. 1997. Seasonal incidence of boat strikes on bottlenose dolphins near Sarasota, Florida. Marine Mammal Science, 13(3):475- 480.
Wilson, B. 1994. Review of dolphin management at Monkey Mia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Perth, Western Australia. 37 pp.
[FR Doc. 02-2259 Filed 1-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S