[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 173 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53171-53172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21239]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD489


Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces a 5-year review of the southern right whale 
(Eubalaena australis) and sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) under 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). A 5-year review 
is a periodic process conducted to ensure that the listing 
classification of a species is accurate. A 5-year review is based on 
the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the 
review; therefore, we are requesting submission of any information on 
southern right whales and sperm whales that has become available since 
their last 5-year review in 2007 and 2009, respectively.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than November 7, 2014. However, we 
will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2014-0113, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov. To 
submit comments via the e-Rulemaking Portal, first click the ``submit a 
comment'' icon, then enter NOAA-NMFS-2014-0113 in the keyword search. 
Locate the document you wish to comment on from the resulting list and 
click on the ``Submit a Comment'' icon on the right of that line.
     Mail or hand-delivery: Angela Somma, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Endangered Species 
Division, 1325 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above 
methods to ensure that the comments are

[[Page 53172]]

received, documented, and considered by NMFS. Comments sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the comment period, may not be considered. All comments received 
are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public 
viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the 
sender will be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will 
accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you 
wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be 
accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file 
formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Therese Conant, Office of Protected 
Resources, 301-427-8456.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that 
we conduct a review of listed species at least once every five years. 
The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in 
the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active 
review. This notice announces our active review of the southern right 
whale and sperm whale.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new 
information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the 
scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other 
interested parties concerning the status of the southern right whale 
and sperm whale. The 5-year review considers the best scientific and 
commercial data and all new information that has become available since 
the listing determination or most recent status review. Categories of 
requested information include: (1) Species biology including, but not 
limited to, population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, 
and genetics; (2) habitat conditions including, but not limited to, 
amount, distribution, and suitability; (3) conservation measures that 
have been implemented that benefit the species; (4) status and trends 
of threats; and (5) other new information, data, or corrections 
including, but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, 
identification of erroneous information contained in the List, and 
improved analytical methods.
    Any new information will be considered during the 5-year review and 
will also be useful in evaluating the ongoing recovery program for the 
southern right whale and sperm whale. For example, information on 
conservation measures will assist in tracking implementation of 
recovery actions.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: September 2, 2014.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21239 Filed 9-5-14; 8:45 am]
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