[Federal Register: August 12, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 154)]
[Notices]
[Page 40568]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12au09-39]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XQ74
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a Status Review
for the Humpback Whale and Request for Information
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic
andAtmospheric Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of a status review; request for
information.
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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces a
status review of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). A status review is a periodic
undertaking conducted to ensure that the listing classification of a
species is accurate. A status review is based on the best scientific
and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we
are requesting submission of any such information on the all humpback
whale populations in all waters worldwide that has become available
since the last humpback whale status review in 1999. Based on the
results of this review, we will make the requisite findings under the
ESA.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct these reviews, we must
receive your information no later than October 13, 2009. However, we
will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any
time.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the code 0648-XQ74,
addressed to Shannon Bettridge by any of the following methods:
1. Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic comments via the
Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov.
2. Facsimile (fax): 301-713-0376, Attn: Shannon Bettridge.
3. Mail: Shannon Bettridge, National Marine Fisheries Service,
Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring,
MD 20910.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Bettridge at the above
address, or at 301-713-2322.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the ESA, a list of endangered and
threatened wildlife and plant species must be maintained. The list is
published at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 17.12 (for plants). Section
4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of listed
species at least once every five years. On the basis of such reviews
under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether a particular species
should be removed from the list (delisted), or reclassified from
endangered to threatened, or from threatened to endangered. Delisting a
species must be supported by the best scientific and commercial data
available, substantiating that the species is neither endangered nor
threatened for one or more of the following reasons: (1) the species is
considered extinct; (2) the species is considered to be recovered; and/
or (3) the original data available when the species was listed, or the
interpretation of such data, were in error. Any change in Federal
classification would require a separate rulemaking process. The
regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the
Federal Register announcing those species currently under active
review. This notice announces active reviews of the humpback whale,
currently listed globally as endangered.
Public Solicitation of New Information
To ensure that the review is complete and based on the best
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new
information from the public, relevant governmental agencies, tribes,
the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any
other interested parties concerning the status of the humpback whale.
Status reviews consider the best scientific and commercial data and
all new information that has become available since the listing
determination or most recent status review. Categories of requested
information include: (1) species biology including, but not limited to,
population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics;
(2) habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount,
distribution, and suitability; (3) conservation measures that have been
implemented that benefit the species; (4) status and trends of threats;
and (5) other new information, data, or corrections including, but not
limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of
erroneous information contained in the list, and improved analytical
methods.
Because these species are vertebrate species, we will also be
considering application of the Distinct Population Segment (DPS) policy
for vertebrate taxa. A DPS is defined in the February 7, 1996, Policy
Regarding the Recognition of Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments
(61 FR 4722). For a population to be listed under the ESA as a DPS,
three elements are considered: (1) the discreteness of the population
segment in relation to the remainder of the species to which it
belongs; (2) the significance of the population segment to the species
to which it belongs; and (3) the population segment=s conservation
status in relation to the ESA=s standards for listing (i.e., is the
population segment endangered or threatened?). DPSs of vertebrate
species, as well as subspecies of all listed species, may be proposed
for separate reclassification or for removal from the list.
If you wish to provide information on the humpback whale in the
northern and/or southern hemispheres for this status review, you may
submit your information and materials to Shannon Bettridge (see
ADDRESSES section).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: August 5, 2009.
James H. Lecky,
Office Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-19336 Filed 8-11-09; 8:45 am]
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