NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced a final rule effective Friday, May 21 designating critical habitat for the Western North Pacific (endangered; 59,411 sq. nautical miles), Central America (endangered; 48,521 sq. nautical miles), and Mexico (threatened; 116,098 sq. nautical miles) distinct population segments of humpback whales.
Critical habitat areas include locations off California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, with multiple areas excluded for designation based on national security and economic considerations.
The designation follows a March 2018 complaint filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Turtle Island Restoration Network, and Wishtoyo Foundation seeking court-ordered deadlines for a critical habitat designation.
