Navy continues to protect marine life off East Coast By Bob Nelson, Commander, Navy Region Southeast Environmental public affairs
Brooke Rowe
Commander, Navy Region Southeast Environmental public affairs
(EXCERPT) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- With the onset of colder weather
in the northeastern United States, its time again for northern right
whales to begin their annual autumn migration to warmer waters of the
southeastern coast. As certain as this annual migration is, so too is
the Navy's commitment to protecting these endangered baleen whales as
they transit through waters off of the coasts of South Carolina,
Georgia and Florida in search of warmer, shallow coastal waters to
give birth to their calves. The northern right whale is one of the
most critically endangered marine mammals with estimates of
approximately 300 right whales remaining in the North Atlantic. Adult
whales can reach sizes of up to 55 feet long and calves can reach
sizes of 20 feet long. The whales have distinctive "V- shaped" blows,
no dorsal fins, short and broad flippers and deeply notched tail
flukes with smooth trailing edges. Since 1997, as a result from
consultations with National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), the Navy
agreed to employ year-round measures designed to protect northern
right whales and other endangered species while operating in a special
"consultation area." The "consultation area" encompasses sea space
from Charleston, S.C., southward to San Sebastian Inlet, Fla., and
from the coast seaward to 80 nautical miles from shore. Parts of the
"consultation area" serve as critical habitat and winter calving
grounds and nursery areas for the migratory northern right whales. The
critical habitat area for the whales coincides with shipping lanes and
stretches from Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., down the East Coast to a
point south of Naval Station Mayport, Fla., as well as to offshore
operating areas where Navy units conduct exercises. The Navy has
developed steps specifically designed to safeguard the whales during
the calving season from Dec. 1 to March 31. According to Ken Conley,
natural resource conservation specialist, the Commander, Navy Region
Southeast (CNRSE) team has developed a series of training aids,
videos, posters and other hand out materials used to educate ship's
lookouts and navigators on Navy vessels and aircraft about the
northern right whale. "While operating in the federally designated
critical habitat, Navy surface ships and submarines are posting
vigilant look-outs and bridge watchstanders who are trained to
identify and report right whales," said Conley. Navy vessels are
required to use extreme caution during transit through the critical
habit and ensure they maintain a buffer of 500 yards from whales and
by proceeding at the slowest possible speeds to afford adequate
stopping distances as circumstances and ocean conditions change. In
addition, Navy ships will not conduct north-south transits in the
critical habitat area or while operating in an Associated Area of
Concern (AAOC), which extends another five miles eastward beyond the
federally designated critical habitat. Leading the Navy's stewardship
effort is the Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility,
Jacksonville, (FACSFAC). FACSFAC's operations specialists are the
designated coordinators for fleet operating areas and related air
space and also man the "Whale Fusion Center." According to Capt. Jim
Cannon, FACSFAC commanding officer, his team of specialists coordinate
ship and aircraft clearance into the right whale critical habitat and
the surrounding operating areas based on prevailing weather, surface
conditions, whale sightings and the mission or event to be conducted.
"The communications network and reporting system that's in place
ensures the widest possible exchange and dissemination of right whale
sighting information to Department of Defense and Coast Guard vessels
and civilian shipping," said Cannon. "Prior to entering the critical
habitat, Navy ships are required to contact the FACSFAC to obtain the
latest whale sighting information and they must report whale sightings
to the center." In addition to FACSFAC's stewardship efforts, CNRSE
works in coordination with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection (FDEP), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR), the
New England Aquarium, the Marine Mammal Commission and other partners
within the Southeastern U.S. Implementation Team (SIT) for the
Recovery of the Northern Right Whale headed by the U.S. Atmospheric
and Oceanic Administration. To date, more than 45 whale sightings have
been reported to FACSFAC. During the entire 1999-2000 season, 52
sightings were reported to FACSFAC. Commander, Navy Region Southeast
and FACSFAC are also a major component of the SIT's Northern Right
Whale Early Warning System (EWS). CNRSE contributes nearly $100,000
annually in support of the EWS. "The Navy is very much committed to
protecting the northern right whale. Following a high of six whale
deaths in 1996 from ship strikes and natural causes in the southeast,
there have been no more deaths from ship strikes," Conley said.
"Improved EWS aerial surveying, better sighting techniques, and more
efficient sighting reporting procedures by FACSFAC have significantly
reduced the potential for ship/whale collisions. Through our efforts
and those of our partners, the endangered northern right whale has a
better chance of surviving." For updated whale sighting information,
visit
http://www.facsfacjax.navy.mil.
---------------------------
Brooke Rowe
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com