[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39814-39821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19876]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 033198C]
Marine Mammals; Stock Assessment Reports; Notice of Availability
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS has revised marine mammal stock assessment reports in
accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Draft revised
1998 reports are available for public review and comment.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 22, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Send comments and requests for copies of reports 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. Copies of the reports may also be
requested from Douglas DeMaster, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (F/
AKC), NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN 15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070;
Irma Lagomarsino, Southwest Regional Office (F/SWO3), NMFS, 501 West
Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213; or Richard Merrick,
Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Waters Street, Woods Hole, MA
02543.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Eagle, (301) 713-2322; Douglas
DeMaster, (206) 526-4045, regarding Alaska regional stock assessments;
Irma Lagomarsino, (310) 980-4020, regarding Pacific regional stock
assessments; or Richard Merrick, (508) 495-2291, or Steven Swartz,
(305) 361-4487, regarding Atlantic regional stock assessments.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 117 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et
seq.) requires NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to
prepare stock assessments reports 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.
The MMPA also requires NMFS and FWS to review these reports
annually for strategic stocks of marine mammals and, at least, every 3
years for stocks determined to be non-strategic. NMFS, in conjunction
with the regional Scientific Review Groups, has reviewed the MMPA
status of the Alaska, Pacific, and Atlantic stocks and has revised
those reports for which significant new information was available.
Table 1 contains a summary of the information included in the reports
and also indicates which reports have been revised since the
publication of the 1996 stock assessment reports. NMFS solicits public
comments on these draft revised marine mammal stock assessment reports.
As required by the MMPA, NMFS has reviewed, and will continue to
review, reports for strategic stocks of marine mammals and new
information annually. The reports are not necessarily revised annually
because revisions are required only when there is significant new
information.
NMFS, in conjunction with the Alaska Scientific Review Group,
reviewed new information available for all strategic stocks of Alaska
marine mammals under its authority, as well as for several other
stocks. A total of 15 of the 33 Alaska stock assessment reports were
revised for 1998. Most proposed changes to the stock assessment reports
incorporate new information into abundance or mortality estimates. The
revised stock assessments include all 10 of the strategic stocks:
western U.S. Steller sea lion, eastern U.S. Steller sea lion, northern
fur seal, Cook Inlet beluga whale, North Pacific sperm whale, western
North Pacific humpback whale, central North Pacific humpback whale,
northeast Pacific fin whale, North Pacific right whale, and western
Arctic bowhead whale. Additionally, five reports of non-strategic
stocks were revised: Gulf of Alaska harbor seals, Bering Sea harbor
seals, Southeast Alaska harbor seals, Eastern North Pacific transient
killer whales, and Northern Pacific resident killer whales (eastern
North Pacific transient and Northern resident stocks). The new
information on abundance and mortality did not change the status
(strategic or not) of any of these 15 Alaska stocks relative to the
1996 reports.
Fishery mortality sections in the revised Alaska reports have been
updated to include data from observer programs, fisher self-reporting,
and stranding reports through 1996, where possible. Similarly,
subsistence harvest information through 1996 has been included for
those stocks that are taken by Alaska Natives for subsistence
[[Page 39815]]
purposes. New abundance estimates are available and have been included
in the revised assessments for nine stocks: western U.S. Steller sea
lions, eastern U.S. Steller sea lions, northern fur seals, Cook Inlet
beluga whales, western North Pacific humpback whales, central North
Pacific humpback whales, Gulf of Alaska harbor seals, and both killer
whale stocks. Revised Potential Biological Removal (PBR) levels have
been calculated for all Alaska stocks having new abundance estimates.
Additionally, habitat concerns have been addressed for all strategic
stocks.
NMFS, in conjunction with the Pacific Scientific Review Group,
reviewed new information on the MMPA status of all 50 stocks of marine
mammals in the Pacific region (predominantly stocks along the coast of
California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii) that are under its
authority. NMFS found that the MMPA status of the California/Oregon/
Washington stock of minke whales and the California/Oregon/Washington
stock of mesoplodont beaked whales should be changed from ``strategic''
to ``non-strategic'', and these draft reports were revised accordingly.
This change was prompted by the greater abundance of these species
estimated from a 1996 ship survey that covered California and (for the
first time) Oregon and Washington. The review of all other stocks did
not indicate any significant new information that would change their
status.
An additional five Pacific stock assessment reports were revised
for 1998 to incorporate new information, including Oregon/Washington
coastal waters harbor seal, Washington inland waters harbor seal, San
Miguel Island northern fur seal, Oregon/Washington coast harbor
porpoise, and Inland Washington harbor porpoise.
Fishery mortality sections in the revised Pacific reports have been
updated to include data from observer programs, fisher self-reporting,
and stranding reports through 1996, where possible. New abundance
estimates are available and have been included in the revised
assessments for the California/Oregon/Washington minke whale, the
California/Oregon/Washington mesoplodont beaked whale, the Oregon/
Washington coastal waters harbor seal, the Washington inland waters
harbor seal, San Miguel Island northern fur seal, and the Inland
Washington harbor porpoise stocks. New PBR estimates have been
calculated for each stock having a revised abundance estimate.
NMFS, in conjunction with the Atlantic Scientific Review Group,
reviewed new information available for all strategic stocks of Atlantic
marine mammals under their authority, as well as for several other
stocks. A total of 26 of the 57 Atlantic stock assessment reports were
revised for 1998. Most proposed changes to the stock assessment reports
incorporate new information into abundance or mortality estimates. The
revised stock assessments include 14 of the strategic stocks: Gulf of
Maine/Bay of Fundy harbor porpoise, Western North Atlantic common
dolphin, Western North Atlantic spotted dolphin, Western North Atlantic
pantropical spotted dolphin, Western North Atlantic dwarf sperm whale,
Western North Atlantic pygmy sperm whale, Western North Atlantic
Cuvier's beaked whale, Western North Atlantic Mesplodon beaked whale,
Western North Atlantic short-finned pilot whale, Western North Atlantic
sperm whale, North Atlantic humpback whale, Western North Atlantic
right whale, Western North Atlantic fin whale, and Western North
Atlantic blue whale. Additionally, 12 reports of non-strategic stocks
were revised: Western North Atlantic harbor seals, Western North
Atlantic gray seals, Western North Atlantic harp seals, Western North
Atlantic hooded seals, Western North Atlantic Risso's dolphin, Western
North Atlantic Atlantic white-sided dolphin, Western North Atlantic
striped dolphin, Western North Atlantic spinner dolphin, Western North
Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin (offshore), Western North Atlantic Northern
bottlenose whale, Western North Atlantic long-finned pilot whale, and
Canadian east coast minke whale.
The new information on abundance and mortality changed the status
(strategic or non-strategic) of three Atlantic stocks relative to the
1996 reports. NMFS found that the status of Atlantic white-sided
dolphins and Atlantic long-finned pilot whales should be changed from
non-strategic to strategic, and these draft reports were revised
accordingly. This change was prompted by the (1992-1996) average annual
mortality estimates. The review of all other stocks and advice from the
Atlantic Scientific Review Group indicated that the Western North
Atlantic pygmy sperm whale stock should be changed from strategic to
non-strategic.
Fishery mortality sections in the revised Atlantic reports have
been updated to include data from observer programs and stranding
reports through 1996, where possible. New abundance estimates are
available and have been included in the revised assessments for four
stocks (Western North Atlantic harbor seals, Western North Atlantic
gray seals (earlier value revised), Western North Atlantic common
dolphins, North Atlantic humpback whales, and Canadian east coast minke
whales). PBR levels have been calculated for all Atlantic stocks having
new abundance estimates and for Western North Atlantic striped
dolphins, for which the recovery factor was revised.
New information may become available during the comment period for
these stock assessment reports. 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: July 20, 1998.
Hilda Diaz-Soltero,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, MFS.
Table 1.--Summary of Alaska and Pacific (Including Hawaii) Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports for Stocks of Marine Mammals Under NMFS Authority That Occupy Waters Under U.S. Jurisdiction.
A ``Y'' Under the Heading ``SAR Revised?'' Indicates That the 1998 Stock Assessment Report Has Been Revised Relative to the 1996 Report
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Total Annual
Species Stock area SRG region NMFS center Nmin Rmax Fr PBR annual fish. Strategic status SAR revised ?
mort. mort.
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Steller sea lion.................. Western U.S.......... AKA AKC 38,893 0.12 0.15 350 443 31 Y Y
Steller sea lion.................. Eastern U.S.......... AKA AKC 30,403 0.12 0.75 1,368 18 14 Y Y
[[Page 39816]]
Northern fur seal................. Eastern Pacific...... AKA AKC 848,539 0.086 0.5 18,244 1,722 14 Y Y
Harbor seal....................... Southeast Alaska..... AKA AKC 35,226 0.12 1.0 2,114 1,778 29 N Y
Harbor seal....................... Gulf of Alaska....... AKA AKC 28,917 0.12 0.5 868 824 33 N Y
Harbor seal....................... Bering Sea........... AKA AKC 12,648 0.12 0.5 379 187 26 N Y
Spotted seal...................... Alaska............... AKA AKC 1 N/A 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 32,453 0.04 1.0 649 160 0 N ...............
Beluga............................ Eastern Chukchi Sea.. AKA AKC 3,710 0.04 1.0 74 54 0 N ...............
Beluga............................ Eastern Bering Sea... AKA AKC 6,439 0.04 1.0 129 127 0 N ...............
Beluga............................ Bristol Bay.......... AKA AKC 1,316 0.04 1.0 26 20 1 N ...............
Beluga............................ Cook Inlet........... AKA AKC 712 0.04 1.0 14 71 0 Y Y
Killer whale...................... Eastern North AKA AKC 642 0.04 0.5 6.4 0.8 0.8 N Y
Pacific, Northern
Resident.
Killer whale...................... Eastern North AKA AKC 197 0.04 0.5 2.0 0.8 0.8 N Y
Pacific, Transient.
Pacific white-sided dolphin....... Central North Pacific AKA AKC 486,719 0.04 0.5 4,867 4 4 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 25 25 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....................... North Pacific........ AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y 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 ...............
Stejneger's beaked whale.......... Alaska............... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N ...............
Gray whale........................ Eastern North Pacific AKA AKC 21,597 0.04 1.0 432 48 4 N ...............
Humpback whale.................... Western North Pacific AKA AKC 367 0.04 0.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 Y Y
Humpback whale.................... Central North Pacific AKA AKC 3,698 0.04 0.1 7.4 1.2 1.0 Y Y
Fin whale......................... Northeast Pacific.... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y 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 Y
Bowhead whale..................... Western Arctic....... AKA AKC 7,738 0.04 0.5 2 77 49 0.00 Y Y
Harbor seal....................... Western North ATL NEC 30,990 0.12 1.0 1,859 893 893 N Y
Atlantic.
Gray seal......................... Northwest North ATL NEC 2,010 0.12 1.0 120 35 35 N Y
Atlantic.
[[Page 39817]]
Harp seal......................... Northwest North ATL NEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 325.00 325.00 N Y
Atlantic.
Hooded seal....................... Northwest North ATL NEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.60 5.60 N Y
Atlantic.
Harbor porpoise................... Gulf of Maine/Bay of ATL NEC 48,289 0.04 0.5 483 1,667 1,667 Y Y
Fundy.
Risso's dolphin................... Western North ATL NEC 11,140 0.04 0.5 111 18 18 N Y
Atlantic.
Atlantic white-sided dolphin...... Western North ATL NEC 19,196 0.04 0.5 192 217 217 Y Y
Atlantic.
White-beaked dolphin.............. Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N N
Atlantic.
Common dolphin.................... Western North ATL NEC 15,470 0.04 0.5 155 \3\ 221 \3\ 221 Y Y
Atlantic.
Atlantic spotted dolphin.......... Western North ATL NEC \4\ 1,617 0.04 0.5 16 \4\ 20 \4\ 20 Y Y
Atlantic.
Pantropical spotted dolphin....... Western North ATL NEC \4\ 1,617 0.04 0.5 16 \4\ 20 \4\ 20 Y Y
Atlantic.
Striped dolphin................... Western North ATL NEC 18,220 0.04 0.5 182 11 11 N Y
Atlantic.
Spinner dolphin................... Western North ATL NEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.31 0.31 N Y
Atlantic.
Bottlenose dolphin................ Western North ATL NEC \5\ 8,794 0.04 0.5 88 58 58 N Y
Atlantic, offshore.
Bottlenose dolphin................ Western North ATL SEC 2,482 0.04 0.5 25 29 \6\ 29 Y
Atlantic, coastal.
Dwarf sperm whale................. Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.2 0.2 Y Y
Atlantic.
Pygmy sperm whale................. Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A N/A N/A N 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 Y
Atlantic.
Cuvier's beaked whale............. Western North ATL NEC \7\ 895 0.04 0.5 8.9 9.7 \8\ 9.7 Y Y
Atlantic.
Mesoplodon beaked whale........... Western North ATL NEC \7\ 895 0.04 0.5 8.9 9.7 \8\ 9.7 Y Y
Atlantic.
Pilot whale, long-finned Western North ATL NEC \9\ 49,68 0.04 0.5 50 32 \9\ 32 \10\ Y Y
(Globicephala spp.). Atlantic. 5
[[Page 39818]]
Pilot whale, short-finned......... Western North ATL NEC 457 0.04 0.5 4.6 32 \9\ 32 Y Y
Atlantic.
Sperm whale....................... Western North ATL NEC 1,617 0.04 0.1 3.2 0.0 0.0 N Y
Atlantic.
North Atlantic right whale........ Western North ATL NEC 295 0.025 0.1 0.4 2.3 \11\ 1. Y Y
Atlantic. 0
Humpback whale.................... Western North ATL NEC 10,019 0.065 0.1 32.6 5.8 \12\ 4. Y Y
Atlantic. 5
Fin whale......................... Western North ATL NEC 1,704 0.04 0.1 3.4 0.0 0.0 Y 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 coast.. ATL NEC 2,145 0.04 0.45 17 0.8 0.8 N Y
Blue whale........................ Western North ATL NEC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Y
Atlantic.
Bottlenose dolphin................ Gulf of Mexico, outer ATL SEC 43,233 0.04 0.5 432 2.8 \13\ 2. N
continental shelf. 8
Bottlenose dolphin................ Gulf of Mexico, ATL SEC 4,530 0.04 0.5 45 2.8 \13\ 2. N
continental shelf 8
edge and slope.
Bottlenose dolphin................ Western Gulf of ATL SEC 2,938 0.04 0.5 29 13 14,15 1 N
Mexico coastal. 3
Bottlenose dolphin................ Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 3,518 0.04 0.5 35 10 \15\ 10 N
Mexico coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin................ Eastern Gulf of ATL SEC 8,963 0.04 0.5 90 8 \15\ 8 N
Mexico coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin................ Gulf of Mexico bay, ATL SEC 3,933 0.04 0.5 39.7 30 \15\ 30 Y
sound, and estuarine
\10\.
Atlantic spotted dolphi........... Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 2,255 0.04 0.5 23 \4\ 1.5 \4\ 1.5 N
Mexico.
Pantropical spotted dolphin....... Northern Gulf of ATL SEC 26,510 0.04 0.5 265 \4\ 1.5 \4\ 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.
[[Page 39819]]
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 SEC 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 111,339 0.12 1.0 6,680 974 915 N
Harbor seal....................... California........... PAC SWC 27,962 0.12 1.0 1,678 243 234 N
Harbor seal....................... Oregon/Washington PAC AKC 24,733 0.12 1.0 1,484 18 16 N Y
coast.
Harbor seal....................... Washington inland PAC AKC 16,104 0.12 1.0 966 41 36 N Y
waters.
Northern elephant seal............ California breeding.. PAC SWC 51,625 0.083 1.0 2,142 145 145 N
Guadalupe fur seal................ Mexico to California. PAC SWC 3,028 0.137 0.5 104 0.0 0.0 Y
Northern fur seal................. San Miguel Island.... PAC AKC 6,720 0.086 1.0 270 0.0 0.0 N Y
Hawaiian monk seal................ Hawaii............... PAC SWC 1,366 0.07 0.1 \17\ 4.8 N/A N/A Y
Harbor porpoise................... Central California... PAC SWC 3,431 0.04 0.48 33 14 14 N
Harbor porpoise................... Northern California.. PAC SWC 7,640 0.04 0.5 76 0.0 0.0 N
Harbor porpoise................... Oregon/Washington PAC AKC 22,046 0.04 0.5 220 17 17 N Y
coast.
Harbor porpoise................... Inland Washington PAC AKC 2,545 0.04 0.4 20 16 16 N Y
Dall's porpoise................... California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 34,393 0.04 0.48 330 22 22 N
Washington.
Pacific white-sided dolphin....... California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 82,939 0.04 0.48 796 22 22 N
Washington.
Risso's dolphin................... California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 22,388 0.04 0.5 224 37 37 N
Washington.
Bottlenose dolphin................ California coastal... PAC SWC 134 0.04 0.5 1.3 0.0 0.0 N
Bottlenose dolphin................ California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 1,904 0.04 0.4 15 4.4 4.4 N
Washington offshore.
[[Page 39820]]
Striped dolphin................... California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 19,248 0.04 0.4 154 1.2 1.2 N
Washington.
Common dolphin, short-beaked...... California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 309,717 0.04 0.5 3,097 272 272 N
Washington.
Common dolphin, long-beaked....... California........... PAC SWC 5,504 0.04 0.48 53 14 14 N
Northern right whale dolphin...... California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 15,080 0.04 0.5 151 47 47 N
Washington.
Killer whale...................... California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 436 0.04 0.4 3.5 1.2 1.2 N
Washington.
Killer whale...................... Southern Resident PAC AKC 96 0.04 1.0 1.9 0.0 0.0 N
Stock.
Pilot whale, short-finned......... California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 741 0.04 0.4 5.9 13 13 Y
Washington.
Baird's beaked whale.............. California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 252 0.04 0.4 2.0 1.2 1.2 N
Washington.
Mesoplodont beaked whales......... California/Oregon/ PAC SWC \18\ 2,84 0.04 0.45 \19\ 26 9.2-13 9.2-13 N Y
Washington. 0
Cuvier's beaked whale............. California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 6,070 0.04 0.5 61 28 28 N
Washington.
Pygmy sperm whale................. California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 2,059 0.04 0.45 19 2.8 2.8 N
Washington.
Dwarf sperm whale................. California/Oregon/ PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N
Washington.
Sperm whale....................... California to PAC SWC 896 0.04 0.1 1.8 4.5 4.5 Y
Washington.
Humpback whale.................... California/Mexico.... PAC SWC 563 0.04 0.1 0.5 1.8 1.2 Y
Blue whale........................ California/Mexico.... PAC SWC 1,463 0.04 0.1 1.5 0.2 0.0 Y
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 \20\ 0.2 0.0 0.0 N
pacific.
Sei whale......................... Eastern North Pacific PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A N/A 0.0 Y
Minke whale....................... California/Oregon/ PAC SWC 440 0.04 0.45 4.0 3.6 3.6 N Y
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
[[Page 39821]]
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 ...............
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\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\ Effort data for the 1995-1996 mid-Atlantic coastal sink gillnet and 1996 Atlantic squid, mackerel, butterfish trawl fisheries are currently under review. The estimated mortalities
attributed to these fisheries will be included in the final 1998 SAR.
\4\ This value includes either or both of Stenella frontalis or Stenella attenuata.
\5\ Estimates may include sightings of the coastal form.
\6\ Effort data for the 1995-1996 mid-Atlantic coastal sink gillnet fishery is currently under review. The estimated mortalities will be available in the final 1998 SAR.
\7\ This estimate includes Cuvier's beaked whales and mesoplodon beaked whales.
\8\ 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.
\9\ This estimate includes both long-finned and short-finned pilot whales.
\10\ Effort data for the Atlantic squid, mackeral, butterfish trawl fishery are currently under review; it is likely that the additional estimated mortality from this fishery will cause the
1992-1996 average total mortality to exceed PBR.
\11\ This is the average mortality of right whales based on 5 years of observer data (0.0) and additional fishery impact records (1.0).
\12\ This is the average mortality of humpback whales based on 5 years of observer data (0.7) and additional fishery impact records (3.8).
\13\ 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.
\14\ 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.
\15\ Estimates derived from stranded animals with signs of fishery interactions, and these could be either coastal or estuary stocks.
\16\ 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.
\17\ Although the calculated PBR is 4.8, the allowable take is zero due to findings under the ESA.
\18\ This value includes a species-specific minimum abundance estimate of 123 Blainville's beaked whales, Mesoplodon densirostris.
\19\ This PBR includes 2.2 Blainville's beaked whales.
\20\ This PBR has been adjusted because only 0.2 percent of this stock is estimated to be in U.S. waters.
[FR Doc. 98-19876 Filed 7-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P