[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12853-12854]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5224]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 031105D]


Endangered Fish and Wildlife; Marine Mammal Protection Act, Draft 
Conservation Plan for the Cook Inlet Stock of Beluga Whales

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

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for written comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, as amended, 
requires the Secretary of Commerce to prepare a conservation plan for 
any species or stock designated as depleted under that Act. The Cook 
Inlet stock of beluga whales was designated as depleted on May 31, 
2000, and this Conservation Plan is being written to promote the 
conservation and recovery of these whales. The goal of this 
Conservation Plan (Plan) will be met when the Cook Inlet stock of 
beluga whales are no longer considered depleted under the MMPA.

DATES: Comments and information must be received by May 16, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft Conservation Plan may be reviewed and/or 
copied at the NMFS, Protected Resources Division, 222 W. 7\th\ Ave., 
43, Anchorage, AK, 99513; or at the Alaska Regional Office, 
Protected Resources Division, 709 W. 9\th\ St., P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802. The draft Conservation Plan is available on the Internet at 
the following address: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/beluga.htm. Comments on the Draft Conservation Plan should be 
sent to the above addresses, or can be electronically forwarded to the 
following e-mail address: [email protected]. Please identify 
electronic comments with the header: Beluga Whale Conservation Plan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kaja Brix, NOAA/NMFS, Alaska Region, 
(907) 586 7235, or Brad Smith, NOAA/NMFS, Alaska Region, Anchorage 
Field Office, (907) 271 5006.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Cook Inlet beluga whale stock declined 
by greater than 50 percent during the last decade. In response to this 
significant decline, NMFS designated the Cook Inlet stock of beluga 
whales as depleted under the MMPA on May 31, 2000 (65 FR 34590). 
Subsequent surveys conducted between 1999 and 2004 have

[[Page 12854]]

resulted in abundance estimates ranging from 313 to 435, with no clear 
trend. Since 1999 the subsistence harvest of this stock has been 
significantly restricted as compared to previous years (down to 0-2 
whales annually). However, the population has not shown any significant 
response as was expected following the restriction on the number of 
animals taken in the subsistence harvest.
    This draft Plan delineates reasonable actions necessary to protect 
the depleted Cook Inlet beluga whales under the MMPA. The conservation 
strategy outlined in the Plan is meant to guide Federal and other 
actions toward the goal of recovering the Cook Inlet beluga whales.
    The Plan provides a description of the biology and life history of 
the Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales, a description of the population 
trends in recent decades and their current depleted status under the 
MMPA, and management goals and objectives for recovery of the stock. 
The Plan also outlines known and possible factors that may be 
influencing the stock including natural factors such as stranding 
events, predation, disease and environmental change, and human-induced 
factors that may be, or have been in recent years, influencing trends 
in the abundance of this stock. These human-induced factors include the 
subsistence harvest, commercial fishing and its potential to influence 
prey availability, pollution in the inlet, vessel traffic, noise, oil 
and gas development and possible effects from research activities.
    The Plan outlines a conservation strategy that addresses each of 
the natural and human-induced factors that may be influencing the 
recovery of the stock. It also outlines a monitoring strategy for 
future subsistence harvests and the development and use of beluga whale 
habitat in Cook Inlet, and a research plan as part of the monitoring 
and recovery strategy. The recommended conservation actions are 
developed for each known factor that may be influencing the stock, and 
linked to the applicable research recommendations.
    Public and Agency Involvement: The goals and objectives of the 
draft Plan can be achieved only if a long-term commitment is made to 
support the respective actions recommended herein. The shared resources 
and cooperative involvement of federal, state, and local governments, 
industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, Alaska Natives, and 
other invested individuals will be required throughout the recovery 
period.
    NMFS is soliciting comments on the draft Plan with this notice. 
Comments can be forwarded to [see ADDRESSES].

    Dated: March 11, 2005.
Donna S. Wieting
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5224 Filed 3-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S