Encl. (3) to COMDTINST 16475.7
3. UNIT RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. NOTIFICATIONS:
(1) ENTANGLEMENTS, BOAT COLLISIONS, AND STRANDINGS - In cases
of entanglement, boat collisions or strandings units shall complete the
appropriate
form and pass the information to the command center immediately. A copy of
the Entanglement & Boat Collision Reporting Form is provided as enclosure (2).
Coast Guard units should not attempt to remove debris from entangled whales.
A
Marine Mammal Stranding Report is provided as enclosure (3). The Command
Center shall notify the appropriate authorities as outlined below:
(a) Entangled or stranded whales. The DXX Command Center shall
immediately notify the NOAA Fisheries Protected Resource
Management Division's Stranding Coordinator at (907)586-7235 (fax:
586-7012).
(b) Stranded/entangled Steller Sea Lions. Steller Sea Lion stocks west of
144 W longitude have recently been listed on the endangered species
list.
The DXX Command Center shall immediately notify the NOAA
Fisheries Protected Resource Management Division's Stranding
Coordinator at (907)586-7235 (fax: 586-7012).
B. LOGISTICAL SUPPORT. Units are authorized and may be tasked by OPCON to
provide logistical support for NOAA Fisheries-approved disentanglement and stranding
teams and their equipment.
C. SITREP. All cases involving protection of endangered species will be documented via
SITREP.
D. LETTER REPORT. Units which assist in the salvage, rescue or disposal of a marine
mammal shall submit a letter report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accordance
with chapter 8 of the Maritime Law Enforcement Manual, with an information copy to
CGDXX (moc).
4. DISPOSAL OF PROTECTED SPECIES. There is no specific U.S. Coast Guard
responsibility for the salvage or disposal of dead whales. Only situations that pose a safety,
health or navigation hazard, or involve significant public affairs interest should be pursued.
Units shall not tow or attempt to sink dead marine mammals without OPCON concurrence. If
there is no follow-up determined to be necessary by appropriate organizations after having
been notified about the location of a dead whale or other protected species, abandon the
3
Previous Page
