NMFS SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSAL TO HALT ALL INTENTIONAL KILLING OF MARINE MAMMALS BY COMMERCIAL FISHING

The National Marine Fisheries Service is seeking public

comment on a proposed change to the Marine Mammal Protection Act

that would prohibit the intentional killing of all marine

mammals during commercial fishing operations. The 15-day comment

period closes Dec. 23, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced today.

The proposed rule change would prohibit the intentional killing of all marine mammals in the course of commercial fishing operations. The rule would implement an amendment to the MMPA that was passed earlier this year.

Before the 1994 amendments to the MMPA, commercial fishermen could receive an exemption from the MMPA's moratorium on the killing of non-depleted marine mammal species under certain conditions, provided nonlethal means of deterring marine mammals from interfering with the catch were first attempted. The conditions included protecting catch and fishing gear or preventing personal injury. The new proposal would only allow the exemption to protect a person from personal injury.

Under previous amendments, the intentional killing of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and depleted species of other marine mammals was prohibited in commercial fishing operations, but the intentional lethal take of other species -- primarily seals and sea lions -- was allowed.

NMFS notes that most commercial fishermen do not intentionally kill marine mammals, and methods of nonlethal deterrence, such as detonating large firecrackers, are available. Comments on the proposed rule may be sent to: Dean Wilkinson, (301) 713-2322, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1335 East- West Highway, Silver Spring, Md. 20910-3226.