Public hearing for proposed rule to designate critical habitat for main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whales
Proposed rule to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act for main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whales.
About
On November 3, NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule (82 FR 51186) to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act for main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whales (MHI IFKWs) in waters from 45 meters to 3,200 meters (49 to 3,500 yards) in depth surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands (from Ni‘ihau to Hawai‘i Island). This designation would not include most bays, harbors, or coastal in-water structures. Within this larger proposed area, NOAA Fisheries is proposing to exclude nine areas from the designation due to economic and national security impacts. In addition, two areas are ineligible for designation because they are managed under the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam INRMP that was found to benefit MHI IFKWs. The total area proposed includes approximately 49,701 km² (19,184 mi²) of marine habitat.
Learn more about the listing of the Main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whale DPS and the proposed critical habitat.