[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 240 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 64403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30830]



[[Page 64403]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 110101B]


Harbor Porpoise Bycatch Estimates for 2000

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of harbor porpoise bycatch 
estimates for January through December, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send information requests to Protected Resources Division, 
NOAA Fisheries, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 or 
Marine Mammal Conservation Division, NOAA Fisheries, Office of 
Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Thounhurst, Northeast Region, 
(978) 281-9138 or Emily Hanson Menashes, Office of Protected Resources, 
(301) 713-2322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    The 2000 harbor porpoise bycatch estimates are accessible by the 
Internet at http://www.nero.nmfs.gov/porptrp/.

Background

    NMFS published a final rule implementing the Harbor Porpoise Take 
Reduction Plan (HPTRP) on December 2, 1998 (63 FR 66464) to reduce the 
incidental take of the Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy stock of harbor 
porpoise in the Northeast sink gillnet fishery and Mid-Atlantic coastal 
gillnet fishery to below the Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level 
for the stock. The HPTRP contains management measures including fishery 
closures and gear modifications. The HPTRP measures are described in 
the December 1998 final rule and correction notice (63 FR 71041, 
December 23, 1998).
    The most current estimate of incidental take of harbor porpoise for 
2000 by fishery is available. This information is provided pursuant to 
a requirement of the May 12, 2000, Settlement Agreement in Center for 
Marine Conservation et al. v. Daley et al. (D. DC, Civ. No. 1:98CV02029 
EGS). For 2000, the total estimated bycatch of harbor porpoise was 529 
animals (CV=0.36). This estimate is comprised of 507 animals 
(coefficient of variation (CV)=0.37) from the Northeast sink gillnet 
fishery, 21 animals (CV=0.76) from the Mid-Atlantic coastal gillnet 
fishery, and 1 animal (CV unknown) from an unknown Mid-Atlantic 
fishery. Estimates of harbor porpoise bycatch in Canadian waters for 
2000 are not currently available. Additional detail about the 2000 
harbor porpoise bycatch estimates in U.S. waters is available in the 
2000 bycatch analysis provided to the plaintiffs of the settlement 
agreement and can be obtained by contacting NMFS at one of the 
locations given in the ADDRESSES section.
    For 1999, the total estimated bycatch of harbor porpoise was 323 
animals (CV=0.25), comprised of 270 animals (CV=0.28) from the 
Northeast sink gillnet fishery and 53 animals (CV=0.49) from the Mid-
Atlantic coastal gillnet fishery. 1999 and 2000 represent the years 
since implementation of the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan and 
fishery management measures intended to reduce harbor porpoise bycatch. 
From 1994 through 1998, the mean annual mortality of harbor porpoise 
was 1,521 animals (CV=0.10), comprised of 1163 animals (CV=0.11) from 
the Northeast sink gillnet fishery and 358 animals (CV=0.20) from the 
Mid-Atlantic coastal gillnet fishery.

    Dated: December 10, 2001.
David Cottingham,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30830 Filed 12-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S