Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review of the Southern Right Whale

Published date14 August 2020
Citation85 FR 49640
Record Number2020-17766
SectionNotices
CourtNational Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 158 (Friday, August 14, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 158 (Friday, August 14, 2020)]
                [Notices]
                [Pages 49640-49641]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-17766]
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                DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
                [RTID 0648-XA376]
                Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-
                Year Review of the Southern Right Whale
                AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
                ACTION: Notice; request for information.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the
                southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). 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 southern right whale, particularly information on the status,
                threats, and recovery of the species that has become available since
                its last status review in 2015.
                DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must
                receive your information no later than October 13, 2020.
                ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document, identified by
                NOAA-NMFS-2020-0114, by either of the following methods:
                 Electronic Submission: Submit electronic information via
                the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov and enter
                NOAA-NMFS-2020-0114. Click on the ``Comment Now!'' icon and complete
                the required fields. Enter or attach your comments.
                 Mail: Submit written comments to Heather Austin,
                Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected
                Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13634, Silver Spring, MD
                20910.
                 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
                www.regulations.gov 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
                [[Page 49641]]
                accept anonymous submissions (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if
                you wish to remain anonymous).
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Austin at the above address,
                by phone at (301) 427-8422 or [email protected].
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of the
                southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) listed as endangered 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. This will be the
                fourth review of this species since it was listed in 1970 under the
                Endangered Species Conservation Act, the precursor to the ESA. 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: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/southern-right-whale.
                Public Solicitation of New Information
                 To ensure that the reviews are 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 Eubalaena australis.
                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 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: August 10, 2020.
                Angela Somma,
                Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected
                Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
                [FR Doc. 2020-17766 Filed 8-13-20; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
                

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