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NOAA Request for Comments on Exempted Fishing Permit
NOAA Fisheries is requesting comment on an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application submitted by the Pioneers for a Thoughtful Coexistence, Inc. (Pioneers) in collaboration with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center.

The EFP would give Pioneers an exemption from federal lobster regulations that would authorize three federally permitted commercial lobster vessels to participate in a ropeless lobster gear study in discrete areas in the Massachusetts Bay Restricted Area.

Full details on the proposal can be found in the Federal Register notice. The comment period is open through April 4, 2022.
The Witness Is a Whale Available for Screening
The documentary "The Witness Is a Whale" is available to screen for free until May 15th.
"The Witness Is a Whale reveals one of the greatest environmental crimes of the 20th Century - the secret and illegal slaughter of hundreds of thousands of whales by the Soviet Union and Japan during the Cold War. Through never-before-seen archival footage, hidden documents, and personal records kept by Soviet scientists, The Witness Is a Whale exposes this ruthless killing for the first time on film. Our documentary also recounts the post-whaling recovery of many different whale species and highlights their overall importance to the health of our oceans."
 

Government of Canada announces 2022 North Atlantic right whale protection measures


On March 10th, 2022, Canada announced the fishery and vessel management measures for the 2022 season. In summary:
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada will again implement seasonal and temporary fishing area closures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Bay of Fundy, and critical habitat areas where and when right whales are visually and acoustically detected.
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada will also continue addressing ghost gear in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, supporting networks of marine mammal responders, and working with harvesters to help them transition to whalesafe gear in 2023.
  • Transport Canada’s vessel traffic management measures include a speed restriction for all vessels over 13 metres, throughout much of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to protect areas where whales are detected. This year’s measures take effect on April 20 to better respond to North Atlantic right whale presence.
Emergency Fishery Closure
On March 1, 2022, NOAA announced an emergency closure for lobster and Jonah crab fishery in the federal waters between the Massachusetts Restricted Area North and the Massachusetts Restricted Area, effective April 1-30, 2022. More information is available HERE

Publication of the Federal Register Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review for North Atlantic Right Whales

NMFS has initiated a 5-year review for North Atlantic right whales, which is required under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) to ensure that the listing classification of the species is accurate. On the basis of such reviews, NMFS will determine whether the species should be delisted, reclassified, or no change in classification is warranted. Any change in Federal classification would require a separate rulemaking process. A notice was published in the Federal Register (February 3, 2022) that announces the review and requests new information on right whales from the previous five years. This call for information is open until May 4, 2022 (information on submitting comments is below). 
 
The review will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. Two previous 5-year reviews were released in August 2012 and October 2017. Both reviews concluded that no change was needed to the endangered status. The results of the current 5-year review will be posted on the NOAA Fisheries website.
 
If you would like to submit a comment providing new information on right whales for the status review, please go HERE and enter the docket number NOAA-NMFS-2022-0004, click on the “Search” icon, and then click the “Comment Now!” icon on the resulting web page. Complete the required fields and enter or attach your comments. 
 
If you have any questions, contact Diane Borggaard, who is leading this effort in close collaboration with colleagues at the NMFS Greater Atlantic and Southeast Regional Offices, Northeast and Southeast Fisheries Science Centers, and Headquarters.
Right Whale News
The latest issue (March 2022) of Right Whale News is now available. The deadline for contributions to the next issue are due by May 25th, 2022, and should be submitted to Jim Hain, Editor.

As a reminder, current and back issues are available on the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Website. Additionally, the RWN 2004-2014 Index is also posted on the website. Questions regarding Right Whale News should be directed to Jim Hain.
Publications
In the News

Right Whale News

The latest issue (March 2022) of Right Whale News is now available. As a reminder, current and back issues are available on the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Website. Additionally, the RWN 2004-2014 Index is also posted on the website. Questions regarding Right Whale News should be directed to Jim Hain, Editor.

Reports

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There are several email newsletters that are of interest to the greater right whale community, including those for the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, the Ropeless Consortium, and Right Whale News. We have streamlined our newsletter subscription access - if you click on the link "update your preference" below you will be able to subscribe/check your preferences for each of the newsletters. 

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The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium (@NARWC) and the Ropeless Consortium (@FishRopeless) are both on Twitter! Give us a follow!

 
 
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Consortium members are encouraged to share news of relevant publications, upcoming events, etc. with the membership. Please forward relevant information to the NARWC Executive Administrator.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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