False Killer Whale Take Reduction
In January 2010, we established a Take Reduction Team to address the incidental mortality and serious injury of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in the Hawaii-based deep-set and shallow-set longline fisheries.
The Plan
The team was charged with drafting a Take Reduction Plan for reducing that mortality and serious injury, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
In November 2009, we convened an informational public meeting to provide:
- Background information on the MMPA Take Reduction Program and Team process
- An overview of key marine mammal abundance and incidental take information, including mortality and serious injury data
- An opportunity for affected stakeholders to develop a common understanding of the problem and parameters prior to formally convening a team
Though the information meeting was not intended to generate recommendations to us, a meeting summary [PDF, 5 pages] is available.
Team Process
We established the team on January 19, 2010 (75 FR 2853).
The team met four times within six months to develop a draft plan by consensus and submitted the draft to us on July 19, 2010. We considered the draft plan submitted by the team, and published a proposed rule to implement the plan on July 18, 2011.
The public comment period for the proposed rule closed on October 17, 2011.
We considered the comments received and published a Final Rule on November 29, 2012.
We monitor the plan's progress and ensure it meets the MMPA goal of reducing mortality and serious injury of false killer whales incidental to the fisheries addressed by the plan. If mortality and serious injury is not reduced to appropriate levels, we will reconvene the team to develop additional measures.
Team Members
Academic and Scientific
- Robin Baird, Olympia, WA
- John Calambokidis, Olympia, WA
- Eric Gilman, Honolulu, HI
- Steve Beverly, New Caledonia
- Aude Pacini, Kaneohe, HI
- Victoria (Tory) O'Connell, Sitka, AK
- Lauren Wild, Sitka, AK
- Andrew (Andy) Read, Beaufort, NC
- Lars Bejder, Kaneohe, HI
Conservation and Environmental Groups
- Hannah Bernard, Paia, HI
- Brendan Cummings, Joshua Tree, CA
- Kristen Monsell, Oakland, CA
- Michael Jasny, Santa Monica, CA
- Jane Davenport, Washington D.C.
Longline Fishery Industry
- Roger Dang, Honolulu, HI
- John Myking, Kailua, HI
- Jonathan Moribe, Honolulu, HI
- Dave Lewis, Honolulu, HI
- Phil Westbrook, Honolulu, HI
- Ryan Steen Stoel Rives LLP, Seattle, WA
- Sean Martin, Kaneohe, HI
Federal and State Government and Fishery Management Organizations
- Asuka Ishizaki, Honolulu, HI
- Matthew Seeley, Honolulu, HI
- Dennis Heinemann, Bethesda, MD
- Jeannine Rossa, Honolulu, HI
- David Sakoda, Honolulu, HI
- Kristy Long, Seattle, WA
- Dawn Golden, Honolulu, HI
- Kevin Brindock, Honolulu, HI
Team Meetings
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| March 28–31, 2023 | Prince Waikiki Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI | Meeting Summary [PDF, 36 pages] |
| November 7–10, 2022 | Alohalani Resort Waikiki Beach Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI | Meeting Summary [PDF, 23 pages] |
| October 7 and 9, 2020 | Teleconference | Meeting Summary [PDF, 13 pages] |
| August 3, 2018 | Teleconference | Teleconference Summary [PDF, 3 pages] |
| July 11, 2018 | Teleconference | Teleconference Summary [PDF, 4 pages] |
| June 15, 2018 | Teleconference | Teleconference Summary [PDF, 5 pages] |
| January 5, 2018 | Teleconference | Teleconference Summary [PDF, 4 pages] |
| June 20, 2017 | Teleconference | Teleconference Summary [PDF, 5 pages] |
| December 15, 2016 | Teleconference | Teleconference Summary [PDF, 5 pages] |
| April 29–May 1, 2015 | Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI | Meeting #7 Summary [PDF] |
| April 18, 2014 | Teleconference | Teleconference Summary [PDF] |
| May 29–31, 2013 | NOAA Fisheries Honolulu Service Center Pier 38, Honolulu Harbor Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI | Meeting #6 Summary [PDF] |
| March 8, 2013 | Teleconference | Teleconference Summary [PDF] |
| December 7, 2012 | Webinar | Webinar Summary |
| October 4, 2011 | Teleconference | Teleconference Summary |
| July 27–29, 2011 | Moana Surfrider Honolulu, Oahu, HI | Meeting #5 Summary |
| July 13–16, 2010 | Moana Surfrider Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI | Draft Take Reduction Plan (serves as the Summary for Meeting 4) |
| June 15–18, 2010 | Turtle Bay Resort Kahuku, Oʻahu, HI | Meeting #3 Summary |
| April 6–9, 2010 | Maui Sheraton Lahaina, Maui, HI | Meeting #2 Summary |
| February 17–19, 2010 | Sheraton Waikiki Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI | Meeting #1 Summary |
| "Pre-Team" Meeting: November 19–20, 2009 | Honolulu, Oahu, HI | "Pre-Team" Meeting Summary [PDF, 5 pages] |
Regulatory Actions
- Trigger Change for Southern Exclusion Zone (89 FR 13694; February 23, 2024)
- Opening of Southern Exclusion Zone (85 FR 50959; August 19, 2020)
- Closure of Southern Exclusion Zone (84 FR 5356; February 22, 2019)
- Closure of Southern Exclusion Zone (83 FR 33848; July 18, 2018)
More Information
- FAQs on False Killer Whale Take Reduction Team and Plan
- Plan Research Priorities (March 2014) [PDF, 17 pages]
- NOAA False Killer Whale Species Information
- Take Reduction Planning
- News and Announcements on False Killer Whales
- Frequent Questions: Hawaiian Islands Southern Exclusion Zone (SEZ)
Contact: Jamie Marchetti, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Take Reduction Team Coordinator, (808) 725-5108.