Management Plan Review

The sanctuary is currently working on its next management plan review. During the 2002 management plan review process, the Sanctuary received overwhelming public support for the inclusion of additional resources to the sanctuary.  In addition, Governor Cayetano expressed his support on behalf of the State of Hawaii for NOAA to address this issue through the community-based process outlined in the management plan.

In October 2007, as an initial step in the management plan review process, the sanctuary presented Governor Lingle with the sanctuary’s Accomplishments Report 2002-2007, detailing the program’s successes, and the Assessment of Additional Marine Resources for Possible Inclusion in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.  These resources, which have been identified through a series of public processes including extensive consultation with the Sanctuary Advisory Council and the State, are: Hawaiian monk seals, other whales and dolphins, sea turtles, and maritime heritage resources. 

With continued federal, state, and community support, the sanctuary will continue to evaluate additional resources, further develop its existing programs, and assess its capacity to address emerging threats to humpback whales and their habitat in Hawai‘i through its management plan review process. 

The next steps of the management plan review will include public scoping meetings and action plan development to determine if there will be revisions made to the existing management plan. 

Download an Information Sheet on the Management Plan Review