81 FR 49957 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for North Atlantic Right Whale

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 146 (July 29, 2016)

Page Range		49957-49958
FR Document		2016-18004

NMFS announces a 5-year review of the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that the listing classification of a species is accurate. The 5-year review will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we request submission of any such information on the North Atlantic right whale that has become available since the last 5-year review in 2012. Based on the results of this 5- year review, we will make the requisite determination under the ESA.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 146 (Friday, July 29, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 146 (Friday, July 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49957-49958]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18004]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE699

Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review
for North Atlantic Right Whale

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces a 5-year review of the North Atlantic right
whale (Eubalaena glacialis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973,
as amended (ESA). The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that the
listing classification of a species is accurate. The 5-year review will
be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the
time of the review; therefore, we request submission of any such
information on the North Atlantic right whale that has become available
since the last 5-year review in 2012. Based on the results of this 5-
year review, we will make the requisite determination under the ESA.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must
receive your information no later than October 27, 2016. However, we
will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any
time.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2016-0092 by either of the following methods:
Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov. To
submit comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, first click the
``submit a comment'' icon, then enter NOAA-NMFS-2016-0092 in the
keyword search. Locate the document you wish to comment on from the
resulting list and click on the ``Submit a Comment'' icon on the right
of that line.
Mail or hand-delivery: Therese Conant, NMFS Office of
Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD. 20910.
Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above
methods to ensure that the comments are received, documented, and
considered by NMFS. Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered. All comments received are a part of the public
record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the
sender will be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you
wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael J. Asaro, NMFS Protected
Resources Division, Greater Atlantic Region, 978-282-8469.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the ESA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service maintains a list of endangered and threatened wildlife and
plant species 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 or not any
species should be 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 and
only considered if such data substantiates 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 our active review of the North Atlantic
right whale currently listed as endangered.
Background information on the North Atlantic right whale is
available on the NMFS Office of Protected Species Web site at: http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/north-atlantic-right-whale.html.

Determining if a Species is Threatened or Endangered

Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA requires that we determine whether a
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five
following factors: (1) The present or threatened destruction,
modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2)
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or
educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or manmade factors
affecting its continued existence. Section 4(b) also requires that our
determination be made on the basis of the best scientific and
commercial data available after taking into account those efforts, if
any, being made by any State or foreign nation, to protect such
species.

Public Solicitation of New Information

To ensure that the 5-year 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 the North Atlantic right
whale. The 5-year review considers 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 important features for conservation; (3)
status and trends of threats; (4) conservation measures that have been
implemented that benefit the species, including monitoring data
demonstrating effectiveness of such measures; (5) need for additional
conservation measures; and (6) other new information, data, or
corrections including, but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural
changes, identification of erroneous information contained in the list
of endangered and threatened species, and improved analytical methods
for evaluating extinction risk.

[[Page 49958]]

If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may
submit your information and materials electronically or via mail (see
ADDRESSES section). We request that all information be accompanied by
supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or
reprints of pertinent publications. We also would appreciate the
submitter's name, address, and any association, institution, or
business that the person represents; however, anonymous submissions
will also be accepted.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

Dated: July 26, 2016.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-18004 Filed 7-28-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

49958 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 146 / Friday, July 29, 2016 / Notices

If you wish to provide information for Atlantic Herring Acceptable Biological Mansfield, MA 02048: (508) 339–2200;
this 5-year review, you may submit your Catch control rules being considered in fax: (508) 339–1040.
information and materials electronically Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring Council address: New England
or via mail (see ADDRESSES section). We Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The Fishery Management Council, 50 Water
request that all information be committee will also review preliminary Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.
accompanied by supporting PDT analysis and develop measures FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
documentation such as maps, related to localized depletion to be Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director,
bibliographic references, or reprints of considered in Amendment 8 to the New England Fishery Management
pertinent publications. We also would Atlantic Herring FMP. The Committee Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492.
appreciate the submitter’s name, will review progress and provide input SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
address, and any association, on Framework Adjustment 5 to the
institution, or business that the person Atlantic Herring FMP, an action Agenda
represents; however, anonymous considering modification of The Advisory Panel will give a brief
submissions will also be accepted. accountability measures (AMs) that update on the next steps for
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. trigger if the sub-ACL of Georges Bank Management Strategy Evaluation of
Haddock is exceeded by the midwater Atlantic Herring Acceptable Biological
Dated: July 26, 2016. trawl Herring fishery. Additionally, they
Angela Somma,
Catch control rules being considered in
will start initial discussions of work Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office priorities for the Herring FMP in 2017.
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The
Other business may be discussed as Advisory Panel will also review
Fisheries Service. necessary.
[FR Doc. 2016–18004 Filed 7–28–16; 8:45 am]
preliminary PDT analysis and develop
Special Accommodations measures related to localized depletion
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
to be considered in Amendment 8 to the
This meeting is physically accessible
Atlantic Herring FMP. The advisory
to people with disabilities. Requests for
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE panel will review progress and provide
sign language interpretation or other
input on Framework Adjustment 5 to
auxiliary aids should be directed to
National Oceanic and Atmospheric the Atlantic Herring FMP, an action
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at
Administration considering modification of
978–465–0492, at least 5 days prior to
accountability measures (AMs) that
RIN 0648–XE765 the meeting date.
trigger if the sub-ACL of Georges Bank
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Haddock is exceeded by the midwater
New England Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting Dated: July 26, 2016. trawl Herring fishery. Additionally, they
Tracey L. Thompson, will also start initial discussions of work
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Acting Director, Office of Sustainable priorities for the Herring FMP in 2017.
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Other business may be discussed as
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), [FR Doc. 2016–17969 Filed 7–28–16; 8:45 am] necessary.
Commerce
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Special Accommodations
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
This meeting is physically accessible
SUMMARY: The New England Fishery to people with disabilities. Requests for
Management Council (Council) is DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
sign language interpretation or other
scheduling a public meeting of its National Oceanic and Atmospheric auxiliary aids should be directed to
Herring Committee on Tuesday, August Administration Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at
16, 2016, to consider actions affecting 978–465–0492, at least 5 days prior to
New England fisheries in the exclusive RIN 0648–XE764 the meeting date.
economic zone (EEZ).
New England Fishery Management Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Recommendations from this group will
be brought to the full Council for formal Council; Public Meeting Dated: July 26, 2016.
consideration and action, if appropriate. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Tracey L. Thompson,
DATES: This meeting will be held on Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Commerce. [FR Doc. 2016–17970 Filed 7–28–16; 8:45 am]
the Holiday Inn, 31 Hampshire Street, ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Mansfield, MA 02048: (508) 339–2200;
fax: (508) 339–1040. SUMMARY: The New England Fishery
Council address: New England Management Council (Council) is DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water scheduling a public meeting of its
Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. Herring Advisory Panel on Wednesday, National Technical Information Service
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: August 17, 2016, to consider actions
affecting New England fisheries in the [Docket No.: 160726001–5001–02]
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director,
New England Fishery Management exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
ebenthall on DSK5MVXVN1PROD with NOTICES

Recommendations from this group will Opportunity To Enter Into a Joint
Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. Venture With the National Technical
be brought to the full Council for formal
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Information Service for Data
consideration and action, if appropriate.
Agenda Innovation Support; Extension of
DATES: This meeting will be held on
Proposal Submission Period
The committee will give a brief Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 9 a.m.
update on the next steps for ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at AGENCY: National Technical Information
Management Strategy Evaluation of the Holiday Inn, 31 Hampshire Street, Service, Department of Commerce.

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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:51:27
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:51:27

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.
Dates		To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive your information no later than October 27, 2016. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time.
Contact		Michael J. Asaro, NMFS Protected Resources Division, Greater Atlantic Region, 978-282-8469.
FR Citation		81 FR 49957
RIN Number		0648-XE69

81 FR 49957 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for North Atlantic Right Whale

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 146 (July 29, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration