Response to Public Comments: Draft Policy for Distinguishing Serious from Non-Serious Injuries of Marine Mammals

Comment 1: The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) applauds NMFS for its efforts in developing this policy, which will allow for a more accurate assessment of human-caused injuries and mortalities of marine mammals. The AVMA states that the clarification and standardization of reporting criteria provided within the Directives should prove beneficial in analyzing and utilizing marine mammal injury reports. The AVMA appreciates that appropriately experienced and qualified veterinarians were selected by NMFS to participate in the 2007 Serious Injury Technical Workshop (Workshop), and the AVMA encourages NMFS to use such veterinarians to optimize the health and welfare of marine mammals. Response: NMFS acknowledges this comment and has finalized these Directives as proposed, with the addition of certain clarifying text described in these comment responses. NMFS has taken the effort to develop the criteria to distinguish serious from non-serious injury. Response: NMFS acknowledges this comment and has finalized these Directives as proposed, with the addition of certain clarifying text described in these comment responses. objective scientific assessment presented in the draft policy and states that this effort will promote a more consistent approach to assessing injuries to marine mammals for addressing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) sections 117 and 118, as comparable measurements are essential for unbiased analyses.