Dear MARMAM subscribers:

The following serves as guidance on Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements and coordination of marine mammal research, response, and salvage efforts related to the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill.  Please note the following information only applies to marine mammal species under the jurisdiction of NMFS.  Research and response activities for manatees are regulated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (www.fws.gov).

Marine Mammal Research

The NMFS Office of Protected Resources is working with the NMFS Southeast Regional Office and permitted researchers to coordinate marine mammal studies in the Gulf of Mexico.  Research coordination is especially important in the face of the ongoing oil spill from BP’s Deepwater Horizon well.  We are also pursuing coordination of research activities with NOAA’s Natural Resources Damage Assessment process.  This will ensure that information provided to NOAA for use in damage assessment meets legal requirements.

Permitted marine mammal researchers, including Letter of Confirmation (LOC) Holders, working in the Gulf of Mexico, including all coastal waters, bays, sounds, and estuaries thereof, during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and beyond must notify Laura.Engleby@noaa.gov (phone: 727-551-5791) with the NMFS Southeast Regional Office of field plans at least two weeks prior to initiating research activities.  Compliance with this permit or LOC requirement allows for coordination of activities to minimize impacts to animals, avoid interference among projects, and optimize opportunities for data collection and sharing.  

For questions about permits or requesting changes to your permit or LOC, please contact Amy.Hapeman@noaa.gov or Kristy.Beard@noaa.gov (phone: 301-713-2289). 

Marine Mammal Stranding Response and Salvage 

To conduct marine mammal rescue and response activities, such as rehabilitation or translocation, salvaging and sampling dead animals, or otherwise taking a marine mammal for its protection or welfare (e.g., hazing, disentanglement, monitoring to determine if response is necessary) in the Gulf of Mexico you must be authorized as either:

• A stranding network responder working under the authority of a Stranding Response Agreement issued by the NMFS Southeast Regional Office (pursuant to section 112c of the MMPA), or
• A Federal, State, or local government employee who may take a marine mammal in the normal course of his/her official duties pursuant to section 109h of the MMPA. 

Please contact Erin.Fougeres@noaa.gov (phone: 727-824-5323) for more information to ensure that established protocols and procedures for treating marine wildlife impacted by oil are followed and to allow for appropriate response coordination.  Please note that additional ESA authorization may be required for endangered sperm whales.

Please DO NOT touch or try to approach oiled animals.  The chemicals in oil are toxic and only trained personnel with appropriate protective gear and equipment should handle and treat oiled animals.  If you see an oiled, injured or dead marine mammal, sea turtle, or bird, immediately contact the Wildlife Hotline at:  866-557-1401.

Sincerely,

Amy

 
Amy Hapeman
Fishery Biologist

National Marine Fisheries Service
Office of Protected Resources
Permits, Conservation and Education Division
1315 East-West Highway, Room 13702,
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Tel: 301-713-2289 ext. 163
Fax: 301-713-0376
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/