Killer Whale Deterrence Activities Sample Clauses

Killer Whale Deterrence Activities. In situations where immediate action is necessary to prevent killer whales from entering oil, NOAA Fisheries has given the Wildlife Branch pre-approval through the FOSC to implement the following deterrence activities: use of Oikomi pipes, use of seal bombs deployed from vessels, and use of helicopters to attempt to herd or move whales. Every reasonable effort will be made to contact NOAA Fisheries

Killer Whale Deterrence Activities. In situations where immediate action is necessary to prevent killer whales from entering oil, NOAA Fisheries has given the Wildlife Branch pre-approval through the FOSC to implement the following deterrence activities: use of Oikomi pipes, use of seal bombs deployed from vessels, and use of helicopters to attempt to herd or move whales. Every reasonable effort will be made to contact NOAA Fisheries prior to attempting these methods, but it is recognized that this might not always be possible. Use of any deterrence mechanisms other than the three methods listed above will require consultation with NOAA Fisheries prior to implementation. Any deterrence actions taken, as well as the results of those actions, will be reported to NOAA Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Program as soon as possible. If the nature of the threat to killer whales is not imminent, the Wildlife Branch Director will consult with the NOAA Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Program prior to taking action. A deterrence program will be considered any time killer whales are reported in or near an oil spill. The Wildlife Branch Director will determine whether or not to activate the Mammal Deterrence Unit to implement the deterrence program. There is not a single deterrence technique that will work in all situations. The Reconnaissance Group is responsible for collecting information on the effectiveness of deterrence activities. Spills of persistent oils or spills that are likely to cover large areas and that occur in the following areas and times will be given high priority for the development of deterrence plans/strategies:  Xxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx of Georgia up to Canadian Border off Point Xxxxxxx: May through September;  Admiralty Inlet and central Puget Sound: October through January; and  Local Alert Areas (Examples include Hood Canal during extended transient killer whale incursions in 2003 and 2005 or an event like the extended stay of southern resident killer whales in Dyes Inlet in 1997).