Description: Critical habitat for the Beringia DPS includes marine waters within one specific area in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas, extending from the shoreward boundary to an offshore limit with a maximum water depth of 200 m from the ocean surface within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The shoreward boundary follows the 20-m isobath (relative to MLLW) westward from the eastern limit of the U.S. EEZ in the Beaufort Sea and continuing into the northeastern Chukchi Sea to its intersection with latitude 70°36' N south of Wainwright; then follows the 10-m isobath (relative to MLLW) to its intersection with latitude 65°35' N near Cape Prince of Wales; then follows the 5-m isobath (relative to MLLW) to its intersection with longitude 164°46' W near the mouth of the Kolovinerak River in the Bering Sea, except at Port Clarence Bay where the shoreward boundary is defined as a continuous line across the entrance. The eastern boundary in the Beaufort Sea follows the eastern limit of the U.S. EEZ beginning at the nearshore boundary defined by the 20-m isobath (relative to MLLW), extends offshore to the 200-m isobath, and then follows this isobath generally westward and northwestward to its intersection with the seaward limit of the U.S EEZ in the Chukchi Sea. The boundary then follows the limit of the U.S. EEZ southwestward and south to the intersection of the southern boundary of the critical habitat in the Bering Sea at 60°32'26'' N/179°9'53'' W. The southern boundary extends southeastward from this intersection point to 57°58' N/170°25' W, then eastward to 58°29' N/164°46' W, then follows longitude 164°46' W to its intersection with the nearshore boundary defined by the 5-m isobath (relative to MLLW) near the mouth of the Kolovinerak River. Critical habitat does not include permanent manmade structures such as boat ramps, docks, and pilings that were in existence within the legal boundaries as of the effective date of the final rule.Please see the final rule for additional information.
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region
Description: Critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal includes marine waters within one specific area in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas, extending from the nearshore boundary, defined by the 3-m isobath relative to mean lower low water (MLLW), to an offshore limit within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The boundary extends offshore from the northern limit of the United States-Canada border approximately 90 km to 70°26'19'' N/140°11'21'' W, and from this point runs generally westward along the line connecting the following points: 70°55'35'' N/142°33'51'' W, 70°53'25'' N/144°37'19'' W, 71°1'22'' N/146°36'55'' W, 71°17'21'' N/148°34'58'' W, and 71°20'8'' N/150° W. From this point (71°20'8'' N/150° W) the boundary follows longitude 150° W northward to 72°20'4'' N/150°W, then extends westward to 72°20'4'' N/153° W, then follows longitude 153° W northward to the seaward limit of the U.S. EEZ, and then follows the limit of the U.S. EEZ northwestward; then southwestward and south to the intersection of the southern boundary of the critical habitat in the Bering Sea at 61°18'15'' N/177°45'56'' W. The southern boundary extends southeastward from this intersection point to 60°7' N/172°1' W, then northeastward along a line extending to near Cape Romanzof at 61°48'42'' N/166°6'5'' W, with the nearshore boundary defined by the 3-m isobath. Critical habitat does not include permanent manmade structures such as boat ramps, docks, and pilings that were in existence within the legal boundaries as of the effective date of the final rule.Please see the final rule for additional information.
Copyright Text: National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region
Description: Critical habitat for the Central America DPS includes all marine waters within the designated areas: (1) Washington. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-meter (m) isobath, and the offshore boundary is defined by the 1,200-m isobath relative to MLLW. Critical habitat also includes waters within the U.S. portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to an eastern boundary line at Angeles Point at 123° 33' W. (2) Oregon. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-m isobath. The offshore boundary is defined by the 1,200-m isobath relative to MLLW; except, in areas off Oregon south of 42° 10', the offshore boundary is defined by the 2,000-m isobath. (3) California. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-m isobath relative to MLLW except, from 38° 40' N to 36° 00' N, the nearshore boundary is defined by the 15-m isobath relative to MLLW; and from 36° 00' N to 34° 30' N, the nearshore boundary is defined by the 30-m isobath relative to MLLW. North of 40° 20' N, the offshore boundary of the critical habitat is defined by a line corresponding to the 2,000-m isobath, and from 40° 20' N to 38° 40' N, the offshore boundary is defined by the 3,000-m isobath. From 38° 40' N southward, the remaining areas have an offshore boundary defined by a line corresponding to the 3,700-m isobath. Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (e.g., ferry docks, sea plane facilities) and the land on which they rest within the critical habitat boundaries as indicated in the final rule. Critical habitat does not include the following particular areas owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its use, where they overlap with the critical habitat: (1) Pursuant to ESA section 4(a)(3)(B), all areas subject to the Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, CA, and the Naval Outlying Field, San Nicolas Island, CA approved Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMPs); (2) Pursuant to ESA section 4(b)(2), the Quinault Range Site (QRS) with an additional 10-km buffer that extends along the southern edge of the QRS and along the northern edge of the QRS except in areas past 10-km into the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Where appropriate, horizontal boundaries were drawn along latitude lines and vertical boundaries were drawn along longitude lines. Boundaries were chosen so as not to split previously recognized biologically important areas (BIAs). Etopo bathymetry data were used to define inner and outer depth boundaries. These data should not be used for enforcement or navigation.
Copyright Text: Authors: Robert O'Conner (Fishery Information Specialist, NMFS Pacific Island Regional Office), Karen Kavanaugh (Oceanographer, NOS Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services), and Jennifer Schultz (Fishery Biologist, NMFS Office of Protected Resources); Point of Contacts: Robert O'Conner (robert.oconner@noaa.gov) and Jennifer Schultz (jennifer.schultz@noaa.gov)
Description: Critical habitat for the Western North Pacific DPS of humpback whales includes all marine waters within the designated areas in Alaska. The nearshore boundaries are generally defined by the 1-m isobath relative to mean lower low water (MLLW). On the north side of the Aleutian Islands, the seaward boundary of the critical habitat is defined by a line extending due west from 55° 41' N, 162° 41' W to 55° 41' N, 169° 30' W, then southward through Samalga Pass to a boundary drawn along the 2,000-m isobath on the south side of the islands. This isobath forms the southern boundary of the critical habitat, eastward to 164° 25' W. From this point, the 1,000-m isobath forms the offshore boundary, which extends eastward to 158° 39' W. Critical habitat also includes the waters around Kodiak Island and the Barren Islands. The western boundary for this area runs southward along 154° 54' W to the 1,000-m depth contour, and then extends eastward to a boundary at 150° 40' W. The area also extends northward to the mouth of Cook Inlet where it is bounded by a line that extends from Cape Douglas across the inlet to Cape Adam. Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (e.g., ferry docks, sea plane facilities) and the land on which they rest within the critical habitat boundaries as indicated in the final rule. Where appropriate, horizontal boundaries were drawn along latitude lines and vertical boundaries were drawn along longitude lines. Boundaries were chosen so as not to split previously recognized biologically important areas (BIAs). Etopo bathymetry data were used to define inner and outer depth boundaries. These data should not be used for enforcement or navigation.
Copyright Text: Authors: Robert O'Conner (Fishery Information Specialist, NMFS Pacific Island Regional Office), Karen Kavanaugh (Oceanographer, NOS Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services), and Jennifer Schultz (Fishery Biologist, NMFS Office of Protected Resources); Point of Contacts: Robert O'Conner (robert.oconner@noaa.gov) and Jennifer Schultz (jennifer.schultz@noaa.gov)
Description: Critical habitat for the Mexico DPS of humpback whales includes all marine waters within the designated contained in the following States: (1) Alaska. The nearshore boundaries are generally defined by the 1-m isobath relative to mean lower low water (MLLW). On the north side of the Aleutian Islands, the seaward boundary of the critical habitat is defined by a line extending from 55° 41 N, 162° 41' W west to 55° 41' N, 169° 30' W, then southward through Samalga Pass to a boundary drawn along the 2,000-m isobath on the south side of the islands. This isobath forms the southern boundary of the critical habitat, eastward to 164° 25' W. From this point, the 1,000-m isobath forms the offshore boundary, which extends eastward to 158° 39' W. Critical habitat also includes the waters around Kodiak Island and the Barren Islands. The western boundary for this area runs southward along 154° 54' W to the 1,000-m depth contour, and then extends eastward to a boundary at 150° 40' W. The area also extends northward to the mouth of Cook Inlet where it is bounded by a line that extends from Cape Douglas across the inlet to Cape Adam. Critical habitat also includes the Prince William Sound area and associated waters defined by an eastern boundary at 148° 31' W, a western boundary at 145° 27' W, and a seaward boundary drawn along the 1,000-m isobath. (2) Washington. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-m isobath, and the offshore boundary is defined by the 1,200-m isobath relative to MLLW. Critical habitat also includes waters within the U.S. portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to an eastern boundary line at Angeles Point at 123° 33' W. (3) Oregon. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-m isobath. The offshore boundary is defined by the 1,200-m isobath relative to MLLW; except, in areas off Oregon south of 42° 10', the offshore boundary is defined by the 2,000-m isobath. (4) California. The nearshore boundary is defined by the 50-m isobath relative to MLLW except, from 38° 40' N to 36° 00' N, the nearshore boundary is defined by the 15-m isobath relative to MLLW; and from 36° 00' N to 34° 30' N, the nearshore boundary is defined by the 30-m isobath relative to MLLW. North of 40° 20' N, the offshore boundary of the critical habitat is defined by a line corresponding to the 2,000-m isobath, and from 40° 20' N to 38° 40' N, the offshore boundary is defined by the 3,000-m isobath. From 38° 40' N southward, the remaining areas have an offshore boundary defined by a line corresponding to the 3,700-m isobath. Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (e.g., ferry docks, sea plane facilities) and the land on which they rest within the critical habitat boundaries as indicated in the Federal Register Notice. Critical habitat does not include the following particular areas owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its use, where they overlap with the critical habitat: (1) Pursuant to ESA section 4(a)(3)(B), all areas subject to the Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, CA, and the Naval Outlying Field, San Nicolas Island, CA approved Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMPs); (2) Pursuant to ESA section 4(b)(2), the Quinault Range Site (QRS) with an additional 10-km buffer that extends along the southern edge of the QRS and along the northern edge of the QRS except in areas past 10-km into the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Where appropriate, horizontal boundaries were drawn along latitude lines and vertical boundaries were drawn along longitude lines. Boundaries were chosen so as not to split previously recognized biologically important areas (BIAs). Etopo bathymetry data were used to define inner and outer depth boundaries. These data should not be used for enforcement or navigation. Please see the final rule for additional information.
Copyright Text: Authors: Robert O'Conner (Fishery Information Specialist, NMFS Pacific Island Regional Office), Karen Kavanaugh (Oceanographer, NOS Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services), and Jennifer Schultz (Fishery Biologist, NMFS Office of Protected Resources); Point of Contacts: Robert O'Conner (robert.oconner@noaa.gov) and Jennifer Schultz (jennifer.schultz@noaa.gov)