| Office of Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District |
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| Press Release |
Date: Dec. 22, 2003 Contact: Petty Officer Dana Warr |
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Coast Guard enforces Northern Right Whale grounds JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In the first month of the Northern Right Whale migrating season, which is in effect from Nov. 15 until Apr. 16, at least four commercial vessels have failed to report before entering into the Right Whale Mandatory Ship Reporting System (MSR) off the coast of Georgia and North Florida. The Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Savannah, Ga., has issued violations for each of these infractions which could range from $1,000 for first time offenders to the maximum allowable of $27,500. The reporting system is mandatory and requires all vessels 300 gross tons and greater to notify the Coast Guard prior to entering the designated reporting area. Vessels transiting the MSR area must provide course, speed, position, destination and route to the Coast Guard upon entering. Reporting movement within the MSRs or leaving the zone is not necessary. Since July 1999, the Coast Guard has taken an aggressive approach to educate vessel owners, operators and crews on the proper reporting procedures to follow when entering the Right Whale's southern MSR. "These animals are highly endangered and the reporting requirements are in place to try to protect them from extinction," said Lt. Cmdr. Larry Greene, chief of port operations for Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Savannah. We hope all mariners will assist in this worthwhile pursuit and if not, they can be expect to be fined by the Coast Guard." Reports can be sent by email to rightwhale.msr@noaa.gov and additional information on the Northern Right Whale can be found at : www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR2/Conservation_and_Recovery_Program/msr/msrhome.html Any question concerning the Coast Guard's role in the Right Whale enforcement can contact Lt. Dan Gainor at (912) 652-4353 ext. 230. ### The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the |
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