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Biologically Important Areas for Cetaceans within U.S. Waters 2015-03-01 - Present
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The Cetacean Density and Distribution Mapping Working Group identified Biologically
Important Areas (BIAs) for 24 cetacean species, stocks, or populations in seven regions
(US East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast, Hawaiian Islands, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian
Islands and Bering Sea, and Arctic [encompassing the northeastern Chukchi and western
Beaufort seas]) within US waters. BIAs are reproductive areas, feeding areas, migratory
corridors, and areas in which small and resident populations are concentrated. BIAs
are region-, species-, and time-specific. Information provided for each BIA includes
the following: 1) a written narrative describing the information, assumptions, and
logic used to delineate the BIA; 2) a map of the BIA; 3) a list of references used
in the assessment; and 4) a metadata table that concisely details the type and quantity
of information used to define a BIA, providing transparency in how BIAs were designated
in a quick reference table format. BIAs were identified through an expert elicitation
process. The delineation of BIAs does not have direct or immediate regulatory consequences.
Rather, the BIA assessment is intended to provide the best available science to help
inform regulatory and management decisions under existing authorities about some,
though not all, important cetacean areas in order to minimize the impacts of anthropogenic
activities on cetaceans and to achieve conservation and protection goals. In addition,
the BIAs and associated information may be used to identify information gaps and prioritize
future research and modeling efforts to better understand cetaceans, their habitat,
and ecosystems.
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