When conducting operations identified in Sec. 218.230, the mitigation measures described in this section and in any Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. Sec. 216.106 and 218.238 must be implemented.
(a) Personnel Training--Lookouts: (1) The Navy shall train the lookouts in the most effective means to ensure quick and effective communication within the command structure in order to facilitate implementation of protective measures if they spot marine mammals.
(2) The Navy will hire one or more marine mammal biologists qualified in conducting at-sea marine mammal visual monitoring from surface vessels to train and qualify designated ship personnel to conduct at-sea visual monitoring.
(b) General Operating Procedures: (1) Prior to SURTASS LFA sonar operations, the Navy will promulgate executive guidance for the administration, execution, and compliance with these regulations and any Letters of Authorization issued.
(2) The Holder of a Letter of Authorization will not transmit the SURTASS LFA sonar signal at a frequency greater than 500 Hertz (Hz).
(c) LFA Sonar Mitigation Zone and 1-km Buffer Zone; Suspension and Delay: (1) Prior to commencing and during SURTASS LFA sonar transmissions, the Holder of a Letter of Authorization will determine the propagation of LFA sonar signals in the ocean and the distance from the SURTASS LFA sonar source to the 180-decibel (dB) re: 1 [micro]Pa isopleth.
(2) The Holder of a Letter of Authorization will establish a 180-dB LFA sonar mitigation zone around the surveillance vessel that is equal in size to the 180-dB re: 1 [micro]Pa isopleth (i.e., the volume subjected to sound pressure levels of 180 dB or greater) as well as a one-kilometer (1-km) buffer zone around the LFA sonar mitigation zone.
(3) If a marine mammal is detected, through monitoring required under Sec. 218.235, within or about to enter the LFA sonar mitigation zone plus the 1-km buffer zone, the Holder of the Letter of Authorization will immediately delay or suspend SURTASS LFA sonar transmissions.
(d) Resumption of SURTASS LFA sonar transmissions: (1) The Holder of a Letter of Authorization will not resume SURTASS LFA sonar transmissions earlier than 15 minutes after:
(i) All marine mammals have left the area of the SURTASS LFA sonar mitigation and buffer zones; and
(ii) There is no further detection of any marine mammal within the LFA sonar mitigation and buffer zones as determined by the visual, passive, and high frequency monitoring described in Sec. 218.235.
(e) Ramp-up Procedures for the high-frequency marine mammal monitoring (HF/M3) sonar required under Sec. 218.235: (1) The Holder of a Letter of Authorization will ramp up the HF/M3 sonar power level beginning at a maximum source sound pressure level of 180 dB re: 1 [micro]Pa at 1 meter in 10-dB increments to operating levels over a period of no less than five minutes:
(i) At least 30 minutes prior to any SURTASS LFA sonar transmissions;
(ii) Prior to any SURTASS LFA sonar calibrations or testing that are not part of regular SURTASS LFA sonar transmissions described in Sec. 218.230; and
(iii) Anytime after the HF/M3 active sonar source has been powered down for more than two minutes.
(2) The Holder of a Letter of Authorization will not increase the HF/M3 active sonar system's sound pressure level once a marine mammal is detected; ramp-up may resume once marine mammals are no longer detected.
(f) Geographic Restrictions on the SURTASS LFA Sonar Sound Field: (1) The Holder of a Letter of Authorization will not operate the SURTASS LFA sonar such that:
(i) The SURTASS LFA sonar sound field exceeds 180 dB re: 1 [micro]Pa (rms) at a distance less than 12 nautical miles (nm) (22 kilometers (km)) from any coastline, including offshore islands;
(ii) The SURTASS LFA sonar sound field exceeds 180 dB re: 1 [micro]Pa (rms) at a distance less than 1 km (0.5 nm) seaward of the outer perimeter of any offshore biologically important area designated in Sec. 218.234(f)(2) during the period specified.
(2) The Offshore Biologically Important Areas (OBIAs) for marine mammals (with specified periods) for SURTASS LFA sonar operations are the following: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Georges Bank......................... 40[deg]00[min] N, 72[deg]30[min] W; Year-round.
39[deg]37[min] N, 72[deg]09[min] W;
39[deg]54[min] N, 71[deg]43[min] W;
40[deg]02[min] N, 71[deg]20[min] W;
40[deg]08[min] N, 71[deg]01[min] W;
40[deg]04[min] N, 70[deg]44[min] W;
40[deg]00[min] N, 69[deg]24[min] W;
40[deg]16[min] N, 68[deg]27[min] W;
40[deg]34[min] N, 67[deg]13[min] W;
41[deg]00[min] N, 66[deg]24[min] W;
41[deg]52[min] N, 65[deg]47[min] W;
42[deg]20[min] N, 66[deg]06[min] W;
42[deg]18[min] N, 67[deg]23[min] W.(ii) Roseway Basin Right Whale 43[deg]05[min] N, 65[deg]40[min] W; June through December,
Conservation Area. 43[deg]05[min] N, 65[deg]03[min] W; annually.
42[deg]45[min] N, 65[deg]40[min] W;
42[deg]45[min] N, 65[deg]03[min] W.(iii) Great South Channel, U.S. Gulf of 41[deg]00.000[min] N, January 1 to November 14,
Maine, and Stellwagen Bank National 69[deg]05.000[min] W; annually.
Marine Sanctuary (NMS). 42[deg]09.000[min] N,
67[deg]08.400[min] W;
42[deg]53.436[min] N,
67[deg]43.873[min] W;
44[deg]12.541[min] N,
67[deg]16.847[min] W;
44[deg]14.911[min] N,
67[deg]08.936[min] W;
44[deg]21.538[min] N,
67[deg]03.663[min] W;
44[deg]26.736[min] N,
67[deg]09.596[min] W;
44[deg]16.805[min] N,
67[deg]27.394[min] W;
44[deg]11.118[min] N,
67[deg]56.398[min] W;
43[deg]59.240[min] N,
68[deg]08.263[min] W;
43[deg]36.800[min] N,
68[deg]46.496[min] W;
43[deg]33.925[min] N,
69[deg]19.455[min] W;
43[deg]32.008[min] N,
69[deg]44.504[min] W;
43[deg]21.922[min] N,
70[deg]06.257[min] W;
43[deg]04.084[min] N,
70[deg]21.418[min] W;
42[deg]51.982[min] N,
70[deg]31.965[min] W;
42[deg]45.187[min] N,
70[deg]23.396[min] W;
42[deg]39.068[min] N,
70[deg]30.188[min] W;
42[deg]32.892[min] N,
70[deg]35.873[min] W;
42[deg]07.748[min] N,
70[deg]28.257[min] W;
42[deg]05.592[min] N,
70[deg]02.136[min] W;
42[deg]03.664[min] N,
69[deg]44.000[min] W;
41[deg]40.000[min] N,
69[deg]45.000[min] W.
(iv) Southeastern U.S. Right Whale Critical Habitat Boundaries are coastal November 15 to April 15,
Seasonal Habitat. waters between 31[deg]15[min] N and annually.
30[deg]15[min] N from the coast out 15
nautical miles (nmi); and the coastal
waters between 30[deg]15[min] N and
28[deg]00[sec] N from the coast out 5
nmi. (50 CFR Sec. 226.13(c));
OBIA Boundaries are coastal waters
between 31[deg]15[sec] N and
30[deg]15[sec] N from 12 to 15 nmi..(v) North Pacific Right Whale Critical 57[deg]03[min] N, 153[deg]00[min] W; March through August,
Habitat. 57[deg]18[min] N, 151[deg]30[min] W; annually.
57[deg]00[min] N, 151[deg]30[min] W;
56[deg]45[min] N, 153[deg]00[min] W.
(50 CFR Sec. 226.215)................(vi) Silver Bank and Navidad Bank........ Silver Bank:........................... December through April,
annually.
20[deg]38.899[min] N,
69[deg]23.640[min] W;
20[deg]55.706[min] N,
69[deg]57.984[min] W;
20[deg]25.221[min] N,
70[deg]00.387[min] W;
20[deg]12.833[min] N,
69[deg]40.604[min] W;
20[deg]13.918[min] N,
69[deg]31.518[min] W;
20[deg]28.680[min] N,
69[deg]31.900[min] W
Navidad Bank:
20[deg]15.596[min] N,
68[deg]47.967[min] W;
20[deg]11.971[min] N,
68[deg]54.810[min] W;
19[deg]52.514[min] N,
69[deg]00.443[min] W;
19[deg]54.957[min] N,
68[deg]51.430[min] W;
19[deg]51.513[min] N,
68[deg]41.399[min] W(vii) Coastal waters of Gabon, Congo and An exclusion zone following the 500-m June through October,
Equatorial Guinea. isobath extending from annually.
3[deg]31.055[min] N, 9[deg]12.226[sec]
E in the north offshore of Malabo
southward to 8[deg]57.470[sec] S,
12[deg]55.873[sec] E offshore of
Luanda(viii) Patagonian Shelf Break............ Between 200- and 2000-m isobaths and Year-round.
the following latitudes:
35[deg]00[sec] S, 39[deg]00[sec] S,
40[deg]40[sec] S, 42[deg]30[sec] S,
46[deg]00[sec] S, 48[deg]50[sec] S..(ix) Southern Right Whale Seasonal Coastal waters between 42[deg]00[sec] S May through December,
Habitat. and 43[deg]00[sec] S from 12 to 15 nm annually.
including the enclosed bays of Golfo
Nuevo, Golfo San Jose, and San Matias.
Golfos San Jose and San Nuevo are
within 22 km (14 mi; 12 nm) coastal
exclusion zone(x) Central California National Marine Single stratum boundary created from June through November,
Sanctuaries. the Cordell Bank (15 CFR 922.10), Gulf annually.
of the Farallones (15 CFR 922.80), and
Monterey Bay (15 CFR 922.30) NMS legal
boundaries. Monterey Bay NMS includes
the Davidson Seamount Management Zone(xi) Antarctic Convergence Zone.......... 30[deg] E to 80[deg] E, 45[deg] S; October through March,
80[deg] E to 150[deg] E, 55[deg] S; annually.
150[deg] E to 50[deg] W, 60[deg] S;
50[deg] W to 30[deg] E, 50[deg] S.(xii) Piltun and Chayvo offshore feeding 54[deg]09.436[min] N, June through November,
grounds in the Sea of Okhotsk. 143[deg]47.408[min] W; annually.
54[deg]09.436[min] N,
143[deg]17.354[min] W;
54[deg]01.161[min] N,
143[deg]17.354[min] W;
53[deg]53.580[min] N,
143[deg]13.398[min] W;
53[deg]26.963[min] N,
143[deg]28.230[min] W;
53[deg]07.013[min] N,
143[deg]35.481[min] W;
52[deg]48.705[min] N,
143[deg]38.447[min] W;
52[deg]32.077[min] N,
143[deg]37.788[min] W;
52[deg]21.605[min] N,
143[deg]34.163[min] W;
52[deg]09.470[min] N,
143[deg]26.582[min] W;
51[deg]57.686[min] N,
143[deg]30.208[min] W;
51[deg]36.033[min] N,
143[deg]42.794[min] W;
51[deg]08.082[min] N,
143[deg]51.301[min] W;
51[deg]08.082[min] N,
144[deg]16.742[min] W;
51[deg]24.514[min] N,
144[deg]11.139[min] W;
51[deg]48.116[min] N,
144[deg]10.809[min] W;
52[deg]03.194[min] N,
144[deg]20.363[min] W;
52[deg]23.235[min] N,
144[deg]10.150[min] W;
52[deg]28.674[min] N,
144[deg]12.787[min] W;
52[deg]42.523[min] N,
144[deg]10.150[min] W;
53[deg]12.972[min] N,
143[deg]55.648[min] W;
53[deg]18.505[min] N,
143[deg]56.637[min] W;
53[deg]23.041[min] N,
143[deg]53.011[min] W;
53[deg]28.250[min] N,
143[deg]53.341[min] W;
53[deg]44.039[min] N,
143[deg]49.056[min] W;
53[deg]53.207[min] N,
143[deg]50.045[min] W;
53[deg]59.819[min] N,
143[deg]48.067[min] W.(xiii) Coastal waters off Madagascar..... 16[deg]03[min]55.04[sec] S, July through September,
50[deg]27[min]12.59[sec] E; annually for humpback whale
16[deg]12[min]23.03[sec] S, breeding and November
51[deg]03[min]37.38[sec] E; through December, annually
24[deg]30[min]45.06[sec] S, for migrating blue whales.
48[deg]26[min]00.94[sec] E;
24[deg]15[min]28.07[sec] S,
47[deg]46[min]51.16[sec] E;
22[deg]18[min]00.74[sec] S,
48[deg]14[min]13.52[sec] E;
20[deg]52[min]24.12[sec] S,
48[deg]43[min]13.49[sec] E;
19[deg]22[min]33.24[sec] S,
49[deg]15[min]45.47[sec] E;
18[deg]29[min]46.08[sec] S,
49[deg]37[min]32.25[sec] E;
17[deg]38[min]27.89[sec] S,
49[deg]44[min]27.17[sec] E;
17[deg]24[min]39.12[sec] S,
49[deg]39[min]17.03[sec] E;
17[deg]19[min]35.34[sec] S,
49[deg]54[min]23.82[sec] E;
16[deg]45[min]41.71[sec] S,
50[deg]15[min]56.35[sec] E.(xiv) Madagascar Plateau, Madagascar 25[deg]55[min]20.00[sec] S, November through December,
Ridge, and Walters Shoal. 44[deg]05[min]15.45[sec] E; annually.
25[deg]46[min]31.36[sec] S,
47[deg]22[min]35.90[sec] E;
27[deg]02[min]37.71[sec] S,
48[deg]03[min]31.08[sec] E;
35[deg]13[min]51.37[sec] S,
46[deg]26[min]19.98[sec] E;
35[deg]14[min]28.59[sec] S,
42[deg]35[min]49.20[sec] E;
31[deg]36[min]57.96[sec] S,
42[deg]37[min]49.35[sec] E;
27[deg]41'11.21[sec] S,
44[deg]30[min]11.01[sec] E.
(xv) Ligurian-Corsican-Provencal Basin 42[deg]50.271[min] N, July to August, annually.
and Western Pelagos Sanctuary in the 06[deg]31.883[sec] E;
Mediterranean Sea. 42[deg]55.603[min] N,
06[deg]43.418[sec] E;
43[deg]04.374[min] N,
06[deg]52.165[sec] E;
43[deg]12.600[min] N,
07[deg]10.440[sec] E;
43[deg]21.720[min] N,
07[deg]19.380[sec] E;
43[deg]30.600[min] N,
07[deg]32.220[sec] E;
43[deg]33.900[min] N,
07[deg]49.920[sec] E;
43[deg]36.420[min] N,
08[deg]05.580[sec] E;
43[deg]42.600[min] N,
08[deg]22.140[sec] E;
43[deg]50.880[min] N,
08[deg]34.500[sec] E;
43[deg]58.560[min] N,
08[deg]47.700[sec] E;
43[deg]59.040[min] N,
08[deg]56.040[sec] E;
43[deg]57.047[min] N,
09[deg]03.540[sec] E;
43[deg]52.260[min] N,
09[deg]08.520[sec] E;
43[deg]47.580[min] N,
09[deg]13.500[sec] E;
43[deg]36.060[min] N,
09[deg]16.620[sec] E;
43[deg]28.440[min] N,
09[deg]05.820[sec] E;
43[deg]21.360[min] N,
09[deg]02.100[sec] E;
43[deg]16.020[min] N,
08[deg]57.240[sec] E;
43[deg]04.440[min] N,
08[deg]47.580[sec] E;
42[deg]54.900[min] N,
08[deg]35.400[sec] E;
42[deg]45.900[min] N,
08[deg]27.540[sec] E;
42[deg]36.060[min] N,
08[deg]22.020[sec] E;
42[deg]22.620[min] N,
08[deg]15.849[sec] E;
42[deg]07.202[min] N,
08[deg]17.174[sec] E;
41[deg]52.800[min] N,
08[deg]15.720[sec] E;
41[deg]39.780[min] N,
08[deg]05.280[sec] E;
41[deg]28.200[min] N,
08[deg]51.600[sec] E;
42[deg]57.060[min] N,
06[deg]19.860[sec] E.(xvi) Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale NMS 21[deg]10[min]02.179[sec] N, November through April,
and Penguin Bank. 157[deg]30[min]58.217[sec] W; annually.
21[deg]09[min]46.815[sec] N,
157[deg]30[min]22.367[sec] W;
21[deg]06[min]39.882[sec] N,
157[deg]31[min]00.778[sec] W;
21[deg]02[min]51.976[sec] N,
157[deg]30[min]30.049[sec] W;
20[deg]59[min]52.725[sec] N,
157[deg]29[min]28.591[sec] W;
20[deg]58[min]05.174[sec] N,
157[deg]27[min]35.919[sec] W;
20[deg]55[min]49.456[sec] N,
157[deg]30[min]58.217[sec] W;
20[deg]50[min]44.729[sec] N,
157[deg]42[min]42.418[sec] W;
20[deg]51[min]02.654[sec] N,
157[deg]44[min]45.333[sec] W;
20[deg]53[min]56.784[sec] N,
157[deg]46[min]04.716[sec] W;
20[deg]56[min]32.988[sec] N,
157[deg]45[min]33.987[sec] W;
21[deg]01[min]27.472[sec] N,
157[deg]43[min]10.586[sec] W;
21[deg]05[min]20.499[sec] N,
157[deg]39[min]27.802[sec] W;
21[deg]10[min]02.179[sec] N,
157[deg]30[min]58.217[sec] W.(xvii) Costa Rica Dome................... Centered at 9[deg] N and 88[deg] W..... Year-round.(xviii) Great Barrier Reef Between 16[deg]01.829[sec] S, May through September,
16[deg] S and 21[deg] S. 145[deg]38.783[sec] E; annually.
15[deg]52.215[sec] S,
146[deg]20.936[sec] E;
17[deg]28.354[sec] S,
146[deg]59.392[sec] E;
20[deg]16.228[sec] S,
151[deg]39.674[sec] E;
20[deg]58.381[sec] S,
150[deg]30.897[sec] E;
20[deg]17.007[sec] S,
149[deg]38.247[sec] E;
20[deg]10.941[sec] S,
149[deg]18.247[sec] E;
20[deg]02.403[sec] S,
149[deg]12.623[sec] E;
19[deg]53.287[sec] S,
149[deg]03.986[sec] E;
19[deg]49.866[sec] S,
148[deg]52.135[sec] E;
19[deg]53.287[sec] S,
148[deg]44.302[sec] E;
19[deg]47.965[sec] S,
148[deg]36.870[sec] E;
19[deg]47.205[sec] S,
148[deg]26.024[sec] E;
19[deg]19.978[sec] S,
147[deg]39.626[sec] E;
19[deg]14.065[sec] S,
147[deg]37.014[sec] E;
19[deg]08.913[sec] S,
147[deg]31.993[sec] E;
19[deg]05.667[sec] S,
147[deg]24.160[sec] E;
19[deg]07.576[sec] S,
147[deg]18.134[sec] E;
18[deg]51.718[sec] S,
146[deg]51.219[sec] E;
18[deg]44.258[sec] S,
146[deg]54.031[sec] E;
18[deg]37.175[sec] S,
146[deg]51.420[sec] E;
18[deg]31.620[sec] S,
146[deg]43.385[sec] E;
18[deg]27.595[sec] S,
146[deg]40.573[sec] E;
17[deg]36.676[sec] S,
146[deg]20.488[sec] E;
17[deg]20.484[sec] S,
146[deg]16.671[sec] E;
17[deg]07.745[sec] S,
146[deg]13.056[sec] E;
16[deg]49.769[sec] S,
146[deg]11.047[sec] E;
16[deg]41.835[sec] S,
146[deg]03.817[sec] E;
16[deg]39.706[sec] S,
145[deg]54.979[sec] E.(xix) Bonney Upwelling on the south coast 37[deg]12[min]20.036[sec] S, December through May,
of Australia. 139[deg]31[min]17.703[sec] E; annually.
37[deg]37[min]33.815[sec] S,
139[deg]42[min]42.508[sec] E;
38[deg]10[min]36.144[sec] S,
140[deg]22[min]57.345[sec] E;
38[deg]44[min]50.558[sec] S,
141[deg]33[min]50.342[sec] E;
39[deg]07[min]04.125[sec] S,
141[deg]11[min]00.733[sec] E;
37[deg]28[min]33.179[sec] S,
139[deg]10[min]52.263[sec] E.(xx) Northern Bay of Bengal and Head of 20[deg]59.735[min] N, Year-round.
Swatch-of-No-Ground. 89[deg]07.675[sec] E;
20[deg]55.494[min] N,
89[deg]09.484[sec] E;
20[deg]52.883[min] N,
89[deg]12.704[sec] E;
20[deg]55.275[min] N,
89[deg]18.133[sec] E;
21[deg]04.558[min] N,
89[deg]25.294[sec] E;
21[deg]12.655[min] N,
89[deg]25.354[sec] E;
21[deg]13.279[min] N,
89[deg]16.833[sec] E;
21[deg]06.347[min] N,
89[deg]15.011[sec] E.(xxi) Olympic Coast NMS and Prairie, Boundaries within 23 nm (26.5 m; 42.6 Olympic NMS: December,
Barkley Canyon, and Nitnat Canyon. km) of the coast from 47[deg]07[min] N January, March, and May,
to 48[deg]30[min] N latitude. annually.
48[deg]30[min]01.995[sec] N, The Prairie, Barkley Canyon,
125[deg]58[min]38.786[sec] W; and Nitnat Canyon: June
48[deg]16[min]55.605[sec] N, through September,
125[deg]38[min]52.052[sec] W; annually.
48[deg]23[min]07.353[sec] N,
125[deg]17[min]10.935[sec] W;
48[deg]12[min]38.241[sec] N,
125[deg]16[min]42.339[sec] W;
47[deg]58[min]20.361[sec] N,
125[deg]31[min]14.517[sec] W;
47[deg]58[min]20.361[sec] N,
126[deg]06[min]16.322[sec] W;
48[deg]09[min]46.665[sec] N,
126[deg]25[min]48.758[sec] W.
(xxii) Abrolhos Bank..................... 16[deg]35[min]34.909[sec] August through November,
38[deg]52[min]30.455[sec]; annually.
16[deg]35[min]31.619[sec]
38[deg]43[min]41.069[sec];
16[deg]40[min]00.131[sec]
37[deg]23[min]52.492[sec];
19[deg]30[min]59.069[sec]
37[deg]23[min]52.446[sec];
19[deg]30[min]59.974[sec]
39[deg]33[min]38.351[sec];
19[deg]20[min]24.752[sec]
39[deg]30[min]33.03[sec];
18[deg]52[min]16.884[sec]
39[deg]32[min]31.789[sec];
18[deg]45[min]09.937[sec]
39[deg]32[min]27.709[sec];
18[deg]30[min]59.345[sec]
39[deg]30[min]59.669[sec];
18[deg]27[min]28.985[sec]
39[deg]30[min]13.453[sec];
18[deg]17[min]30.429[sec]
39[deg]26[min]21.073[sec];
18[deg]07[min]43.518[sec]
39[deg]19[min]52.924[sec];
18[deg]09[min]24.931[sec]
39[deg]16[min]24.913[sec];
18[deg]10[min]04.585[sec]
39[deg]12[min]30.425[sec];
18[deg]10[min]20.682[sec]
38[deg]39[min]06.185[sec];
18[deg]08[min]50.404[sec]
38[deg]35[min]00.059[sec];
18[deg]06[min]05.466[sec]
38[deg]31[min]41.385[sec];
18[deg]02[min]09.399[sec]
38[deg]29[min]26.179[sec];
17[deg]58[min]01.372[sec]
38[deg]28[min]45.409[sec];
17[deg]53[min]58.883[sec]
38[deg]29[min]34.612[sec];
16[deg]48[min]58.768[sec]
38[deg]55[min]23.768[sec];
16[deg]43[min]15.682[sec]
38[deg]53[min]40.007[sec].----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(g) Operational Exception for the SURTASS LFA Sonar Sound Field. During military operations SURTASS LFA sonar transmissions may exceed 180 dB re: 1 [micro]Pa (rms) within the boundaries of a SURTASS LFA sonar OBIA when: operationally necessary to continue tracking an existing underwater contact; or operationally necessary to detect a new underwater contact within the OBIA. This exception does not apply to routine training and testing with the SURTASS LFA sonar systems.