[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 3005-3010] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-1312] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [I.D. 010897D] Marine Mammals AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS has revised the marine mammal stock assessment reports and the guidelines upon which the reports were based in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Draft revised reports are available for public review and comment. Copies of the revised guidelines are also available for review. DATES: Comments must be received by April 21, 1997. ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of reports or guidelines to: Chief, Marine Mammal Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226, Attn: Stock Assessments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas C. Eagle, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, at (301) 713-2322; Douglas P. DeMaster at (206) 526- 4045, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (F/AKC), NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN 15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070 regarding Alaska regional stock assessments; James Lecky at (310) 980-4020, Southwest Regional Office (F/SWO3), NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802- 4213, regarding Pacific regional stock assessments; or Gordon Waring at (508) 495-2311, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543-1097 for Atlantic regional stock assessments. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 117 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) required NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to prepare stock assessments for each stock of marine mammals that occurs in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States. These reports contain information regarding the distribution and abundance of the stock, population growth rates and trends, estimates of annual human- caused mortality from all sources, descriptions of the fisheries with which the stock interacts, and the status of the stock. NMFS convened a workshop in April 1996 to evaluate the guidelines upon which stock assessment reports were based and to revise the guidelines as needed. The workshop results indicated that substantive changes to the guidelines were not required; however, several provisions were clarified, primarily to ensure that default values for various parameters were interpreted correctly. The MMPA also requires NMFS and FWS to update these reports annually for strategic stocks of marine mammals and every 3 years for stocks determined to be non-strategic consistent with any new information. NMFS has revised those reports for which new information is available. Table 1 contains a summary of the information included in the reports. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft revised reports. Most proposed changes to the stock assessment reports incorporate new information into abundance or mortality estimates. Stock structure was also reexamined, which resulted in revised stock identification for killer whales in the Alaska and Pacific regions and for harbor porpoise in Alaska; none of these stocks is designated as strategic. Three stocks were identified as special subsistence stocks in the initial stock assessment reports; these included harbor seals in the Gulf of Alaska and beluga whales in Cook Inlet and Norton Sound. After examining new information, and in accordance with advice from the Alaska Scientific Review Group, NMFS proposes to revise these reports to present the full information required under the MMPA. Two of the stocks, Gulf of Alaska harbor seals and Cook Inlet beluga would be identified as strategic stocks because total human-caused mortality exceeds the calculated Potential Biological Removal level (PBR). Norton Sound beluga would be identified as non-strategic. Any management actions concerning these or any other stock that is used for subsistence purposes would be addressed through a co-management process as indicated by section 119 of the MMPA. New abundance estimates for beaked whales in the Pacific Ocean, which included a recently developed correction factor for animals not seen on the track line, allowed NMFS to determine that human-caused mortality and serious injury of these stocks did not exceed PBR; therefore, these stocks have been designated as nonstrategic. Uncertainty in field identification of these stocks does not allow either mortality or abundance estimates to be [[Page 3006]] identified to species in all cases, and estimates for these stocks continue to be combined. New information may become available during the comment period for these stock assessment reports; NMFS anticipates completion of a status review of North Atlantic right whales in the near future. This new information may be incorporated into final stock assessment reports without additional public review and comment if incorporation of the new information does not change the status of the affected stock (e.g., strategic to non-strategic). Dated: January 13, 1997. Ann Terbush, Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Table 1.--Summary of Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports for Stocks of Marine Mammals Under NMFS Authority That Occupy Waters Under U.S. Jurisdiction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Annual Species Stock area SRG region NMFS center Nmin Rmax Fr PBR annual fish. Strategic mort. mort. status -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steller sea lion............. Western U.S..... AKA AKC 42,536 0.12 0.3 766 518 38 Y Steller sea lion............. Eastern......... AKA AKC 23,533 0.12 0.75 1,059 9 4 Y Northern fur seal............ North Pacific... AKA AKC 969,595 0.086 0.5 20,846 1,731 18 Y Harbor seal.................. Southeast Alaska AKA AKC 35,226 0.12 1.0 2,114 1,630 34 N Harbor seal.................. Gulf of Alaska.. AKA AKC 22,427 0.12 0.5 673 966 35 Y Harbor seal.................. Bering Sea...... AKA AKC 12,648 0.12 0.5 379 242 30 N Spotted seal................. Alaska.......... AKA AKC N/A\1\ 0.12 0.5 N/A N/A 2 N Bearded seal................. Alaska.......... AKA AKC N/A 0.12 0.5 N/A N/A 2 N Ringed seal.................. Alaska.......... AKA AKC N/A 0.12 0.5 N/A N/A 1 N Ribbon seal.................. Alaska.......... AKA AKC N/A 0.12 0.5 N/A N/A 1 N Beluga..................... Beaufort Sea.... AKA AKC 39,039 0.04 1.0 781 168 0 N Beluga..................... Eastern Chukchi AKA AKC 3,710 0.04 1.0 74 63 0 N Sea. Beluga..................... Norton Sound.... AKA AKC 6,439 0.04 1.0 129 109 0 N Beluga..................... Bristol Bay..... AKA AKC 1,526 0.04 1.0 31 21 1 N Beluga..................... Cook Inlet...... AKA AKC 981 0.04 1.0 20 40 0 Y Killer whale................. Eastern North AKA AKC 764 0.04 0.5 7.6 1.2 1.2 N Pacific, Northern Resident. Killer whale................. Eastern North AKA AKC 314 0.04 0.5 3.1 1.2 1.2 N Pacific, Transient. Pacific white-sided dolphin.. North Pacific... AKA AKC 486,719 0.04 0.5 4,867 2 2 N Harbor porpoise.............. Southeast Alaska AKA AKC 8,156 0.04 0.5 82 4 4 N Harbor porpoise.............. Gulf of Alaska.. AKA AKC 7,085 0.04 0.5 71 27 27 N Harbor porpoise.............. Bering Sea...... AKA AKC 8,549 0.04 0.5 86 2 2 N Dall's porpoise.............. Alaska.......... AKA AKC 76,874 0.04 1.0 1,537 42 42 N Sperm whale.................. Alaska.......... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Baird's beaked whale......... Alaska.......... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N Cuvier's beaked whale........ Alaska.......... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N Stejnerger's beaked whale.... Alaska.......... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N Gray whale................... Eastern North AKA AKC 21,597 0.04 1.0 432 47 3 N Pacific. Humpback whale............... Western North AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Pacific. Humpback whale............... Central North AKA AKC 1,407 0.04 0.1 2.8 1.6 1.6 Y Pacific. Fin whale.................... N. Pacifc....... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Minke whale.................. Alaska.......... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N Northern right whale......... North Pacific... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Bowhead whale................ Western Arctic.. AKA AKC 7,738 0.04 0.5 77\2\ 51 0.0 Y Harbor seal.................. Western North ATL NEC 28,810 0.12 1.0 1,729 476 476 N Atlantic. Gray seal.................... Northwest North ATL NEC 2,035 0.12 1.0 122 4.5 4.5 N Atlantic. Harp seal.................... Northwest North ATL NEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N Atlantic. Hooded seal.................. Northwest North ATL NEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N Atlantic. Harbor porpoise.............. Gulf of Maine/ ATL NEC 48,289 0.04 0.5 483 1,834 1,834 Y Bay of Fundy. Risso's dolphin.............. Western North ATL NEC 11,140 0.04 0.5 111 68 68 N Atlantic. Atlantic white-sided dolphin. Western North ATL NEC 19,196 0.04 0.5 192 181 181 N Atlantic. [[Page 3007]] White-beaked dolphin......... Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N Atlantic. Common dolphin............... Western North ATL NEC 3,996 0.04 0.5 40 234 234 Y Atlantic. Atlantic spotted dolphin..... Western North ATL NEC \3\ 1,61 0.04 0.5 16 \3\ 22 \3\ 22 Y Atlantic. 7 Pantropical spotted dolphin.. Western North ATL NEC \3\ 1.61 0.04 0.5 16 \3\ 22 \3\ 22 Y Atlantic. 7 Striped dolphin.............. Western North ATL NEC 18,220 0.04 0.45 164 47 47 N Atlantic. Spinner dolphin.............. Western North ATL NEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.0 1.0 N Atlantic. Bottlenose dolphin........... Western North ATL NEC \4\ 8,79 0.04 0.5 88 82 82 N Atlantic, 4 offshore. Bottlenose dolphin........... Western North ATL SEC 2,482 0.04 0.5 25 29 29 Y Atlantic, coastal. Dwarf sperm whale............ Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.2 0.2 Y Atlantic. Pygmy sperm whale............ Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A N/A N/A Y Atlantic. Killer whale................. Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N Atlantic. Pygmy killer whale........... Western North ATL SEC 6 0.04 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 N Atlantic. Northern bottlenose whale.... Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N Atlantic. Cuvier's beaked whale........ Western North ATL NEC \6\ 895 0.04 0.5 8.9 9.7 \6\ 9.7 Y Atlantic. Nesopldont beaked whale...... Western North ATL NEC \5\ 895 0.04 0.5 8.9 9.7 \6\ 9.7 Y Atlantic. Pilot whale, long-finned Western North ATL NEC \7\ 4,96 0.04 0.5 50 42 \8\ 42 Y (Globiephala spp.). Atlantic. 8 Pilot whale, short-finned.... Western North ATL NEC 457 0.04 0.5 3.7 42 \8\ 42 Y Atlantic. Sperm whale.................. Western North ATL NEC 1,617 0.04 0.1 3.2 0.2 0.2 Y Atlantic. North Atlantic right whale... Western North ATL NEC 295 0.025 0.1 0.4 2.7 0.4 Y Atlantic. Humpback whale............... Western North ATL NEC 4,884 0.04 0.1 9.7 0.7 0.7 Y Atlantic. Fin whale.................... Western North ATL NEC 1,704 0.04 0.1 3.4 0.0 0.0 Y Atlantic. Sei whale.................... Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Atlantic. Minke whale.................. Canadian east ATL NEC 2,053 0.04 0.5 21 2.5 2.5 N coast. Blue whale................... Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Atlantic. Bottlenose dolphin........... Gulf of Mexico, ATL SEC 43,233 0.04 0.5 432 2.8 \9\2.8 N outer continental shelf. Bottlenose dolphin........... Gulf of Mexico, ATL SEC 4,530 0.04 0.5 45 2.8 \9\2.8 N continental shelf edge and slope. Bottlenose dolphin........... Western Gulf of ATL SEC 2,938 0.04 0.5 29 13 \10\,\11 N Mexico coastal. \ 13 Bottlenose dolphin........... Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 3,518 0.04 0.5 35 10 \11\10 N Mexico coastal. Bottlenose dolphin........... Eastern Gulf of ATL SEC 8,963 0.04 0.5 90 8 \11\8 N Mexico coastal. Bottlenose dolphin........... Eastern Gulf of ATL SEC 3,934 0.04 0.5 39.7 30 \11\30 Y Mexico bay, sound, and estuarine\12\. Atlantic spotted dolphin..... Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 2,255 0.04 0.5 23 \3\1.5 \3\1.5 N Mexico. [[Page 3008]] Pantropical spotted dolphin.. Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 26,510 0.04 0.5 265 \3\1.5 \3\1.5 N Mexico. Striped dolphin.............. Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 3,409 0.04 0.5 34 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Spinner dolphin.............. Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 4,465 0.04 0.5 45 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Rough-toothed dolphin........ Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 660 0.04 0.5 6.6 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Clymene dolphin.............. Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 4,120 0.04 0.5 41 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Fraser's dolphin............. Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 66 0.04 0.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Killer whale................. Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 197 0.04 0.5 2.0 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. False killer whale........... Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 236 0.04 0.5 2.4 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Pygmy killer whale........... Northern Gulf of ATL NEC 285 0.04 0.05 2.8 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Dwarf sperm whale............ Northern Gulf of ATL SEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 Y MExico. Pygmy sperm whale............ Northern Gulf of ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Mexico. Melon-headed whale........... Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 2,888 0.04 0.5 29 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Risso's dolphin.............. Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 2,199 0.04 0.5 22 19 19 N Mexico. Cuvier's beaked whale........ Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 20 0.04 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Blainville's beaked whale.... Northern Gulf of ATL SEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Gervais' beaked whale........ Northern Gulf of ATL SEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. Pilot whale, short-finned.... Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 186 0.04 0.5 1.9 0.3 0.3 Y Mexico. Sperm whale.................. Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 411 0.04 0.1 0.8 0.0 0.0 Y Mexico. Bryde's whale................ Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 17 0.04 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 N Mexico. California sea lion.......... U.S............. PAC SWC 106,825 0.12 1.0 6,410 1,294 1,242 N Guadalupe fur seal........... Mexico to PAC SWC 3,028 0.137 0.5 104 0.0 0.0 Y California. Northern fur seal............ San Miguel PAC AKC 5,018 0.086 1.0 216 1 1 N Island. Habor seal................... California...... PAC SWC 27,962 0.12 1.0 1,678 325 316 N Habor seal................... Oregon/ PAC AKC 25,665 0.12 1.0 1,540 15 15 N Washington. Habor seal................... Washington PAC AKC 15,349 0.12 1.0 921 36 36 N inland waters. Northern elephant breeding... California PAC SWC 48,000 0.083 1.0 1,992 151 151 N breeding. Hawaiian monk seal........... Hawaii.......... PAC SWC 1,366 0.07 0.1 \13\ 4.8 N/A N/A Y Habor porpoise............... Central PAC SWC 3,431 0.04 0.48 33 14 14 N California. Habor porpoise............... Northern PAC SWC 7,640 0.04 0.5 76 0.0 0.0 N California. Habor porpoise............... Oregon/ PAC AKC 22,046 0.04 0.5 220 13 13 N Washington coast. Dall's porpoise.............. California/ PAC SWC 34,393 0.04 0.48 330 28 28 N Oregon/ Washington. Pacific white-sided dolphin.. California/ PAC SWC 82,939 0.04 0.48 796 13 13 N Oregon/ Washington. Risso's dolphin.............. California/ PAC SWC 22,388 0.04 0.48 215 32 32 N Oregon/ Washington. Bottlenose dolphin........... California PAC SWC 121 0.04 0.5 1.2 0.0 0.0 N coastal. Bottlenose dolphin........... California/ PAC SWC 1,904 0.04 0.5 19 0.0 0.0 N Oregon/ Washington offshore. Striped dolphin.............. California/ PAC SWC 19,248 0.04 0.4 154 2.0 2.0 N Oregon/ Washington. Common dolphin, short-beaked. California/ PAC SWC 309,717 0.04 0.5 3,097 183 183 N Oregon/ Washington. [[Page 3009]] Common dolphin, long-beaked.. California...... PAC SWC 5,504 0.04 0.48 53 15 15 N Northern right whale dolphin. California/ PAC SWC 15,080 0.04 0.5 151 50 50 N Oregon/ Washington. Killer whale................. Southern PAC AKC 96 0.04 1.0 1.9 0.0 0.0 N Resident Stock. Killer whale................. California/ PAC SWC 436 0.04 0.4 3.5 2.0 2.0 N Oregon/ Washington. Pilot whale, short-finned.... California/ PAC SWC 741 0.04 0.48 7.1 20 20 Y Oregon/ Washington. Baird's beaked whale......... California/ PAC SWC 252 0.04 0.4 2.02 2.00 2.00 N Oregon/ Washington. Mesoplodont beaked whales.... California/ PAC SWC \14\ 1,1 0.04 0.48 \15\11 5.7-7.7 5.7-7.7 N Oregon/ 69 Washington. Cuvier's beaked whale........ California/ PAC SWC 6,070 0.04 0.5 61 29 29 N Oregon/ Washington. Pygmy sperm whale............ California/ PAC SWC 2,059 0.04 0.4 16 2.3 2.3 N Oregon/ Washington. Dwarf sperm whale............ California/ PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N Oregon/ Washington. Sperm whale.................. California to PAC SWC 896 0.04 0.1 1.8 5 5 Y Washington. Humpback whale............... California/ PAC SWC 563 0.04 0.1 0.5 1.0 0.0 Y Mexico. Blue whale................... California/ PAC SWC 1,463 0.04 0.1 1.5 <1 0.0 Y Mexico. Fin whale.................... California to PAC SWC 747 0.04 0.1 1.5 <1 0.0 Y Washington. Bryde's whale................ Eastern Tropical PAC SWC 11,163 0.04 0.5 \16\ 0.2 N/A 0.0 N Pacific. Sei whale.................... Eastern North PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A N/A 0.0 Y Pacific. Minke whale.................. California/ PAC SWC 122 0.04 0.4 1.0 2.0 2.0 Y Oregon/ Washington. Rough-Toothed dolphin........ Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Risso's dolphin.............. Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Bottlenose dolphin........... Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Pantropical spotted dolphin.. Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Spinner dolphin.............. Hawaii.......... PAC SWC 677 0.04 0.5 6.8 N/A N/A N Striped dolphin.............. Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Melon-headed whale........... Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Pygmy killer whale........... Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N False killer whale........... Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Killer whale................. Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Pilot whale, short-finned.... Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Blainville's beaked whale.... Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Cuvier's beaked whale........ Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Pygmy sperm whale............ Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Dwarf sperm whale............ Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N Sperm whale.................. Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A N/A N/A Y Blue whale................... Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A N/A N/A Y Fin whale.................... Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A N/A N/A Y Bryde's whale................ Hawaii.......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ N/A means that an estimate for the affected value is not available. \2\ The IWC subsistence quota is not affected by the calculation of PBR using the formula specified in the MMPA. \3\ This value includes either or both of Stenella frontalis or Stenella attenuata. \4\ Estimates may include sightings of the coastal form. \5\ This estimate includes Cuvier's beaked whales and mesoplodont beaked whales. \6\ This is the average mortality of beaked whales (Mesoplodon sp.) based on 5 years of observer data. This annual mortality rate includes an unknown number of Cuvier's beaked whales. \7\ This estimate includes both long-finned and short-finned pilot whales. \8\ Mortality data are not separated by species; therefore, species-specific estimates are not available. The mortality estimate represents both short- and long-finned pilot whales. \9\ This value may include either or both of the Gulf of Mexico, continental shelf edge and slope and the outer continental shelf stocks of bottlenose dolphins. [[Page 3010]] \10\ Low levels of bottlenose dolphin mortality (0-4 per year) incidental to commercial fisheries have been reported. It is unknown to which stock this mortality can be attributed. \11\ Estimates derived from stranded animals with signs of fishery interactions, and these could be either coastal or estuary stocks. \12\ This entry encompasses 33 stocks of bottlenose dolphins. All stocks are considered strategic; see the full report for information on individual stocks. The listed estimates for abundance, PBR and mortality are sums across all bays, sounds, and estuaries. \13\ Although the calculated PBR is 5.0, the allowable take is zero due to findings under the ESA. \14\ This value includes a species-specific minimum abundance estimate of 249 Blainville's beaked whales, Mesoplodon densirostris. \15\ This PBR includes 2.5 Blainville's beaked whales. \16\ This PBR has been adjusted because only 0.2% of this stock is estimated to be in U.S. waters. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [FR Doc. 97-1312 Filed 1-17-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-25-P