Notice2023-05102
Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review for the Arabian Sea, Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa, Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific Distinct Population Segments of Humpback Whales
Primary source
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Published
March 13, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the Arabian Sea, Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa, Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific Distinct Population Segments of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such information on the humpback whale.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 48 (Monday, March 13, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 48 (Monday, March 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15377-15378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05102]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC821]
Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-
Year Review for the Arabian Sea, Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa,
Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific Distinct Population
Segments of Humpback Whales
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation, request for information.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the
Arabian Sea, Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa, Central America,
Mexico, and Western North Pacific Distinct Population Segments of the
humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). NMFS is required by the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that
the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review
must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at
the time of the review. We request submission of any such information
on the humpback whale.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must
receive
[[Page 15378]]
your information no later than April 12, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2023-0029 by the following method:
<bullet> Electronic Submission: Submit electronic information via
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> and enter
NOAA-NMFS-2023-0029 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' icon,
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the specified
period, may not be considered. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information submitted
voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept
anonymous submissions (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meghan Gahm at (301) 427-8494 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b161e1c131a15551c1a13163b15141a1a551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0e636b69666f6020696f66634e60616f6f20696178">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of the five
distinct population segments (DPSs) of the humpback whale (Megaptera
novaeangliae) listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. Section
4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of listed
species at least once every 5 years. The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21
require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing
species currently under active review. On the basis of such reviews
under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any species should be
removed from the list (i.e., delisted) or reclassified from endangered
to threatened or from threatened to endangered (16 U.S.C.
1533(c)(2)(B)). As described by the regulations in 50 CFR 424.11(e),
the Secretary shall delist a species if the Secretary finds that, after
conducting a status review based on the best scientific and commercial
data available: (1) the species is extinct; (2) the species does not
meet the definition of an endangered species or a threatened species;
and/or (3) the listed entity does not meet the statutory definition of
a species. Any change in Federal classification would require a
separate rulemaking process.
Background information on the species is available on the NMFS
website at: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/humpback-whale">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/humpback-whale</a>.
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, governmental agencies, Tribes, the
scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other
interested parties concerning the status of Megaptera novaeangliae.
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 important
features for conservation; (3) status and trends of threats to the
species and its habitats; (4) conservation measures that have been
implemented that benefit the species, including monitoring data
demonstrating effectiveness of such measures; and (5) other new
information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to,
taxonomic or nomenclatural changes and improved analytical methods for
evaluating extinction risk.
If you wish to provide information for the review, you may submit
your information and materials electronically (see ADDRESSES section).
We request that all information be accompanied by supporting
documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or reprints of
pertinent publications.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: March 8, 2023.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-05102 Filed 3-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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