COMDTINST 16475.7
comply with references (a) thru (h) and other applicable Federal regulations and guidance such as
Executive Orders. Additionally, to supplement the general enforcement guidance provided by
reference (g) the PLMRP will provide specific enforcement guidance, when appropriate, that will
address the unique environment and population of protected species of the District. The PLMRP
focuses on Coast Guard cutter, boat and aircraft operations; not on the activities involved in
construction, maintenance and repair of shore facilities.
2. ACTION. District Commanders shall establish and maintain a Protected Living Marine Resources
Program. Internet release is authorized.
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.
4. BACKGROUND. Reference (h) is the Coast Guard Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
delineating the potential threat of Coast Guard operations to protected species in the Atlantic Ocean,
which includes the preferred alternative to mitigate negative interactions between Coast Guard units
and marine protected species. One of the EIS mitigation measures contained in the preferred
alternative requires the establishment of a Commandant Instruction on Protected Living Marine
Resources and the development of District protected living marine resources programs. In addition,
the Marine Protected Species Division (G-OPL-5) was established within the Office of Law
Enforcement (G-OPL) and the Commandant issued reference (i): the Coast Guard's Strategic Plan
for Marine Protected Species (Ocean Steward). Ocean Steward is a vital element in the Coast
Guard's strategic goal of protecting our natural resources.
5. DISCUSSION. In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in public and governmental
concern about the state of our oceans and their living resources. The Coast Guard already has
effective, coordinated plans for enforcing our nation's fisheries management regulations, protecting
the marine environment from oil pollution, and responding to maritime disasters. There is a need to
adapt the same approach to marine protected species, specifically those species and geographic areas
that are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the
National Marine Sanctuaries Act, and similar regulations or executive orders.
6. PROCEDURES. Ocean Steward's goal is to help the nation recover and maintain healthy
populations of marine protected species. Baseline Assessments (BA) for all oceanic environments in
which the Coast Guard operates will be prepared and updated to assist the process of identifying
possible interactions with protected species. Thereafter, Environmental Assessments (EA) and EISs
will be prepared as appropriate. Headquarters, working with the affected Area, will prepare BAs,
EAs and EISs, with assistance of field units, as needed. These documents will serve to support each
District PLMRP. Consistent with these documents Districts shall:
a. Identify local and migratory/seasonal populations of protected species and take action as
appropriate to reduce potential opportunities for conflict between the protected species and Coast
Guard vessel or aircraft operations.
(1) In identifying populations of indigenous and migratory protected species, districts should
consider guidance provided in Biological Assessments (references l thru n), local
knowledge, National Marine Sanctuaries, and any formally designated and/or candidate
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