[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41366-41367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20378]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No.; I.D. 072597C]


Endangered Fish and Wildlife; Draft Recovery Plan for the Blue 
Whale

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

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments.

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[[Page 41367]]

SUMMARY: The draft Recovery Plan for the North Pacific and North 
Atlantic blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is available for review and 
comment by interested parties prior to preparing the final plan for 
approval and adoption by NMFS. The Plan was developed by a team of 
scientists from NMFS' Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC).

DATES: DATES: Comments on the draft Plan must be received on or before 
September 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Chief, Marine Mammal 
Division, Office of Protected Resources (F/PR), 1315 East-West
    Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Copies of the Draft Blue Whale 
Recovery Plan are available upon request from F/PR, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Silber, NMFS/FPR, 301/713-2322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that NMFS develop and implement recovery 
plans for the conservation and survival of threatened and endangered 
species under its jurisdiction, unless it is determined that such plans 
will not promote the conservation of the species. Accordingly, NMFS 
appointed a group of scientists at SWFSC to take part in the 
development of the Draft Recovery Plan for the North Pacific and North 
Atlantic Blue Whale. The Draft Recovery Plan discusses the natural 
history, current status of the species, and the known and potential 
human impacts on the species. Actions that would promote the recovery 
of the blue whale are identified and discussed in the draft plan. The 
Recovery Plan will be used to direct U.S. activities, as well as 
encourage international cooperation, to promote the recovery of this 
endangered species.

    Dated: July 29, 1997.
Patricia A. Montanio,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20378 Filed 7-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F