NAV 44/3/ 1
because the whales move, and surveys cannot be conducted
at night or in inclement weather. Despite these limitations,
the surveys are the best means currently available for
detecting the location of whales and thus provide valuable
information to mariners. There are also Right Whale Recovery
Plan Implementation Teams for both the northeast and the
southeast to help oversee right whale recovery efforts. In
addition, the United States has set up educational exhibits
at various meetings of the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) and submitted information papers to the
Marine Environment Protection Committee and the Maritime
Safety Committee. The IMO News has published an article on
the issue of ship strikes of right whales. (No. 4, 1997).
4 In spite of these efforts, ship collisions with
endangered large whales, particularly right whales, continue
to occur. Protection of these endangered whales would be
greatly enhanced by communicating directly with ships in
these areas through mandatory ship reporting systems. Also,
such systems would minimize the risk of collision damage to
ships from striking a whale as well as provide important
beneficial information to the ships. This information would
include warnings of the risk of hitting right whales, where
to obtain seasonal right whale advisories that are broadcast
periodically, and where information is available on
applicable regulations and precautionary measures mariners
may take to reduce the risk of hitting right whales.
5 In accordance with Regulation 8-1 of Chapter V
of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention and MSC.43(64), annex
1 to this document sets forth the proposal for establishing
the two mandatory ship reporting systems. annex 11 is a draft
Maritime Safety Committee resolution for the adoption of the
systems.
Action requested of the Sub-Committee
6 The Sub-Committee is requested to consider and
approve this proposal, taking into account information set
forth in NAV 44/INF.4 and forward it to the Maritime Safety
Committee for adoption.
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