ATLANTIC LARGE WHALE TAKE REDUCTION PLAN

Seasonal Area Management

The Seasonal Area Management (SAM) program was implemented in 2002, which identified two management areas based on annual predictable aggregations of right whales, and required gear modifications for lobster trap/pot and anchored gillnet gear in these areas on a seasonal basis.

Information Identification of Seasonal Area Management Zones (Reference document from NEFSC, October 2001) Seasonal Area Management Interim Final Rule (01/09/02) Technical Amendment for SAM and DAM (10/28/02) 2002 Rule Changes- Permit Holder Letter (01/23/02) Seasonal Area Management Interim Final Rule Environmental Assessment (12/28/01) Seasonal Area Management Proposed Rule (11/28/01) Seasonal Area Management Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) (10/03/01)

Other Elements of the Plan Dynamic Area Management Gear Research and Development Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network (including entanglement reports) Right Whale Sighting Advisory System Whale Research NOAA/NEFSC Photo Marine Mammal Research Permit 775 1600 10

For more information on the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, please contact
the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Office's Protected Resources Division at 978-281-9328

Last Updated: March 30, 2010