NOAA False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan

NOAA Fisheries is publishing a final rule to implement a False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The Plan includes measures to reduce incidental mortalities and serious injuries (i.e., bycatch) of false killer whales in the Hawaii-based commercial longline fisheries. Frequently asked questions are answered such as definitions of what a false killer whale is and what 'take' means. Also what is the problem and how to reduce the take by introducing regulatory measures including 2 gear requriements for the Hawaii baed deep set LL fishery; 2 LL managment areas; response to hooked or entangled marine mammals; and several non-regulatory measures.