Humpback Whale Critical Habitat, Western North Pacific DPS

Critical habitat for the Western North Pacific DPS of humpback whales includes all marine waters within the designated areas in Alaska. The nearshore boundaries are generally defined by the 1-m isobath relative to mean lower low water (MLLW). On the north side of the Aleutian Islands, the seaward boundary of the critical habitat is defined by a line extending due west from 55 41' N, 162 41' W to 55 41' N, 169 30' W, then southward through Samalga Pass to a boundary drawn along the 2,000-m isobath on the south side of the islands. This isobath forms the southern boundary of the critical habitat, eastward to 164 25' W. From this point, the 1,000-m isobath forms the offshore boundary, which extends eastward to 158 39' W. Critical habitat also includes the waters around Kodiak Island and the Barren Islands. The western boundary for this area runs southward along 154 54' W to the 1,000-m depth contour, and then extends eastward to a boundary at 150 40' W. The area also extends northward to the mouth of Cook Inlet where it is bounded by a line that extends from Cape Douglas across the inlet to Cape Adam. Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (e.g., ferry docks, sea plane facilities) and the land on which they rest within the critical habitat boundaries as indicated in the final rule. Where appropriate, horizontal boundaries were drawn along latitude lines and vertical boundaries were drawn along longitude lines. Boundaries were chosen so as not to split previously recognized biologically important areas (BIAs). Etopo bathymetry data were used to define inner and outer depth boundaries. These data should not be used for enforcement or navigation.