Bilateral Action for Right Whales

Abstract

In their Policy Forum “North Atlantic right whales in crisis” (22 July, p. [561][1]), S. D. Kraus et al. make clear the plight of the North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis , and note that whale deaths from ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements have not been diminishing. Kraus et al. call for changes to U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) management policy to put strong and immediate emphasis on reducing human-induced mortality of right whales. The species, though, is not restricted to U.S. waters; it ranges from Florida to the Canadian Maritimes. It is listed as Endangered under both the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Canadian Species at Risk Act. ![Figure][2] CREDIT: NOAA U.S. and Canadian protection and recovery policies for North Atlantic right whales, administered respectively by NOAA and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), are not precisely the same. Although the current U.S. and Canadian plans both make reducing mortality due to ship strike and net entrapment a higher priority than reducing habitat degradation, the Canadian plan does not address direct human lethal take ([1][3], [2][4]). Bilaterally agreed-upon management policy is essential for the protection of globally endangered migratory species that cross political boundaries. A precedent was set by the bilateral recovery efforts in aid of the whooping crane. Some level of cooperation between the two countries has been achieved regarding the right whale, but it is insufficient to call only for changes to NOAA management policy when coordinated, bilateral management; regular joint meetings; and cooperative actions are needed. The new U.S. recovery plan calls for bilateral cooperative efforts to maximize protection for right whales. Canadian recovery planning should follow suit and both jurisdictions should work together. 1. 1.[↵][5] National Marine Fisheries Service, Recovery Plan for the Northern Right Whale ( Eubalaena glacialis ) (National Marine Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, MD, 2005). 2. 2.[↵][6] North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Team, Canadian North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Plan (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ottawa, 2000). # Response {#article-title-2} We agree with Sayles and Green. Migratory transboundary species like the right whale require bilateral efforts at many levels. For example, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Services' Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ([1][7]) does require the U.S. government to work with Canada to develop bilateral agreements related to shipping. Further, most co-authors on the Policy Forum have benefited from close working relationships with both researchers and managers within Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Several breakthroughs in right whale conservation have already been made in Canada, including relocation of the internationally adopted shipping lanes in the Bay of Fundy to reduce ship kills, as well as the official recognition of two Conservation Areas where right whales aggregate. The Bay of Fundy shipping lane changes resulted from efforts by Irving Oil, Transport Canada, DFO, the International Maritime Organization, fishing organizations, whale watching groups, and right whale conservationists. Such multilateral partnerships are especially important in conserving transboundary species. However, we are aware that DFO's ability to really make a difference to right whale conservation is dependent on funding for their initiatives, and support for recovery plan implementation has been limited. We encourage both the Canadian government and nongovernmental organizations to support increased funding for right whale conservation in Canada and welcome additional collaboration with our Canadian colleagues, particularly in the development of bilateral measures to ensure the protection of right whales throughout their range. 1. 1.[↵][8] Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 50 CFR Part 224 [040506143-4143-01; I.D. 052504C] RIN 0648-AS36 Endangered Fish and Wildlife; Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction, U.S. Fed. Reg. 69 (No. 105), 30857 (2004). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1111200 [2]: pending:yes [3]: #ref-1 [4]: #ref-2 [5]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1. in text [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2. in text [7]: #ref-3 [8]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 1. in text