Dear colleagues, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is pleased to inform you that the draft Partial Action Plan for Blue, Fin, Sei, and North Pacific Right Whales in Pacific Canadian Waters is now undergoing regional consultations. It is considered a partial action plan because current best available information is insufficient to identify critical habitat. When sufficient information allows, critical habitat will be identified for one or more of the species in an updated recovery strategy or a later chapter of the action plan. The draft Partial Action Plan, background information and an online comment form are available through May 17, 2013, at the following URL: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/consultation/sara-lep/lgwhale-gdbaleine/index-e.... We invite you to provide feedback on the document until May 17, 2013. Your input is valuable to the development of the plan, and will contribute to the overall recovery and long term survival of these whales in Pacific Canadian waters. This is the first of two public consultations on the draft Partial Action Plan. We will broadcast a similar message to the MARMAM community when the second consultation begins. If you have any questions, or would like more information about the action planning process, please contact me at +1-604-666-3811 or by e-mail at: Jonathan.Thar@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Thank you. Jonathan Jonathan Thar Marine Species at Risk Recovery Planner | Planner du rétablissement des espéces marin en danger Fisheries Management | Direction des pêches Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pêches et Océans Canada 200-401 Burrard Street | pièce 200, 401 rue Burrard Vancouver, B.C. | Vancouver, C.-B. V6C 3S4 Telephone | Téléphone: 604-666-3811 Facsimile | Télécopieur: 604-666-3341 Jonathan.Thar@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada