NOAA, Bermuda partner to protect humpback whales in the North Atlantic

NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and the Government of Bermuda have pledged cooperation on scientific and educational programs to better protect the endangered North Atlantic humpback whale population.

Together, they will collaborate on research, monitoring and outreach programs that could lead to better managing and protecting this species along its migratory route from the Gulf of Maine to the Caribbean Sea.

Like the Stellwagen Bank sanctuary off the Massachusetts coast and its sister sanctuary in the Dominican Republic, Bermuda is strategically situated between the humpbacks' southern calving and breeding grounds and their northern feeding grounds. With Bermuda located nearly 650 miles east of the North Carolina coast, this partnership could enhance the three nations' unique commitments to protect the species at various points within its migratory route.

A letter of intent signed last month by NOAA and the Bermuda Department of Environmental Protection expresses interest in pursuing collaborative management efforts leading to establishment of a "sister sanctuary" partnership. NOAA and Bermuda intend to work together in the following areas:

• Exchange of whale fluke (tail) photos for Stellwagen Bank/Bermuda humpback whale population studies and related citizen science programs;
  
• Exchange of technical information, scientific data and practical experiences in managing marine mammal protected areas, including staff exchanges and site visits;
  
• Development and assessment of methodologies for natural resource protection within marine mammal protected areas; and
  
• Development, coordination and evaluation of research and monitoring programs, outreach and education programs, and community engagement strategies for management of marine mammal protected areas.

Craig MacDonald, Stellwagen Bank's superintendent, said cooperative sanctuary programs help foster mutual interest and best practices for whale conservation and management.

"Humpback whales are international citizens without passports who recognize no political jurisdictions," MacDonald said. "We share whales with other nations that border their migratory route, just as we share the responsibility for protecting these fascinating animals."

Provided by NOAA Headquarters