NOAA Collaboration Offers Free CD Whale Protection Training Program

"A Prudent Mariner's Guide to Right Whale Protection" multi-media training program

June 20, 2007

DARE COUNTY NC NEWS -- National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and a number of other partners, developed a free interactive, multi-media CD program called "A Prudent Mariner's Guide to Right Whale Protection." The guide serves as a voluntary training resource for commercial mariners operating in right whale habitats along the U.S. Atlantic coast, and includes bridge management training. The collaboration is currently targeting shipping companies and vessel operators who plan to ensure the free CDs are delivered directly to vessels.

On May 28, the CD was presented and well received at the annual International Whaling Commission meeting held in Anchorage, Alaska. In addition, after two announcements of availability in the Northeast and Southeast U.S., commercial mariners requested more than 380 copies during the first 24 hours - a tremendous response that pleased NOAA Fisheries and its partners.

NOAA Fisheries Southeast Right Whale Recovery Program Coordinator, Barb Zoodsma said: "We hope this innovative approach will raise awareness among the commercial shipping industry, both nationally and internationally," and "Our ultimate goal is to reduce the number of ship strikes to North Atlantic right whales."

U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area's Response Division Chief, Captain Brad Jacobs, said: "Ship strikes pose both a hazard to right whales and to our mariners' safety," and "We hope mariners use this tool as they plan their voyages and when they are operating in right whale habitat. Its compact form is ideal for the bridge."

The CD, distributed free-of-charge upon request, provides a comprehensive collection of right whale information delivered in a compact and user-friendly format. The program includes: crew training information about right whales, recommended navigational actions when operating in right whale habitat, a guide to reporting sightings of dead or injured right whales, an informative video presentation, and a short follow-up quiz. It also provides guidelines for compliance with the Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems, including an innovative, interactive report generation program, as well as key supplementary information contained in a separate "Media" folder, such as video clips, information about the current Mandatory Ship Reporting areas, and diagrams of the recently implemented, recommended traffic lanes in right whale high-use areas.

NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources and their habitats through scientific research, management, and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries Service provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public.

Those interested in receiving a free CD should submit a request by e-mail that includes contact information and the number of CDs required to meet shipboard needs to any of the following addresses depending on the recipient's location:

• U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Command: Katie.S.Moore@uscg.mil
• NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office in Florida: Kristin.Thoms@noaa.gov
• NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Office in Massachusetts: Kristen.Koyama@noaa.gov

Readers should note, ship strikes account for more right whale deaths and serious injuries than any other single human impact, and are considered the most significant threat to the recovery of the right whale population. With as few as 300 remaining, North Atlantic right whales are among the most endangered marine mammal populations in the world. This species is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Therefore, Dare County mariners should order their free CD now to help save the right whale population.