Vessel Quotas and Operating Requirements Vessel Quotas and ...

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NUMBER
OR4-07
OR4-08
RESPONSE
The conclusion that current levels of noise disturbance would be minor for humpback whales and Steller sea lions is
based on the apparent increasing population trends for both species in Glacier Bay. Regarding effects at the individual
level, the Park Service remains committed to gathering and using the best possible information to minimize vessel noise
disturbance, as can be seen by the results of its acoustic monitoring program and the inclusion of a 13-knot cruise ship
speed limit in three of the six alternatives, including the NPS preferred alternative. The Park Service will continue to work
with NOAA Fisheries on matters related to the effects of vessel traffic on marine mammals.
Detecting the effects of vessel noise on marine mammals is hindered by a lack of information on their hearing abilities and
by the wide variability in their natural behavior. The Park Service will continue to conduct research to isolate the direct and
indirect effects of vessel noise on marine mammals, and is in the meantime using the best available information to design
management strategies that minimize these effects. Please see general response number 3 regarding the study
framework to be used before increasing cruise ship traffic.