[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28049-28050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12789]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF430


Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review 
for the Endangered Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of 
Atlantic Salmon

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: We, NMFS, announce our intent to conduct a 5-year review for 
the Gulf of Maine distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon 
(Salmo salar) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(ESA). The DPS is listed as endangered under the ESA. We are required 
by the ESA to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing 
classifications of the species are accurate. The 5-year review must be 
based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time 
of the review. We request submission of any such information on the 
Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic salmon, particularly information on the 
status, threats and recovery of the species that has become available 
since the final listing determination in 2009.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than July 20, 2017. However, we will 
continue to accept new information about Atlantic salmon at any time.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments by including NOAA-NMFS-2017-0050, by 
either of the following methods:
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/!docketDetail;D=[NOAA-NMFS-2017-0050], Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written information to Dan Kircheis, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, Maine Field Station, 17 
Godfrey Drive, Orono, Maine 04473
    Instructions: We may not consider comments if they are sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the specified period. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and we will generally post for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information submitted 
voluntarily by the sender is publicly accessible. We will accept 
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Kircheis at the above address, by 
phone at 207-866-7320 or [email protected] or Julie Crocker 978-
282-8480 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic salmon 
(Salmo salar) was listed as endangered under the ESA on June 19, 2009 
(74 FR 29344) by NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the 
Services). The Services

[[Page 28050]]

have agreed that NMFS will serve as the lead agency for this 5-year 
review. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review 
of listed species at least once every five years. On the basis of such 
reviews, under section 4(c)(2)(B) we determine whether a species should 
be delisted or reclassified from endangered to threatened or from 
threatened to endangered. Delisting a species must be supported by the 
best scientific and commercial data available and only considered if 
such data substantiates that the species is neither endangered nor 
threatened for one or more of the following reasons: (1) The species is 
considered extinct; (2) the species is considered to be recovered; or 
(3) the original data available when the species was listed, or the 
interpretation of such data, were in error (see 50 CFR 424.11(d)). The 
ESA implementing regulations at 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 Gulf of 
Maine DPS of Atlantic salmon, currently listed as endangered.
    Background information about this species, including the endangered 
listing, is available on the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries 
Office Web site: https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected/atlsalmon/.

Determining if a Species Is Threatened or Endangered

    Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA requires that we determine whether a 
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five 
following factors: (1) The present or threatened destruction, 
modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2) 
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or manmade factors 
affecting its continued existence. Section 4(b) also requires that our 
determination be made on the basis of the best scientific and 
commercial data available after taking into account those efforts, if 
any, being made by any State or foreign nation, to protect such 
species.

Application of the DPS Policy

    In the application of the DPS Policy, we are responsible for 
determining whether species, subspecies, or DPSs of marine and 
anadromous species are threatened or endangered under the ESA. For 
Atlantic salmon, we use the joint U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-NMFS 
DPS policy (61 FR 4722; February 7, 1996) in identifying the 
appropriate taxonomic unit for listing consideration. Under this 
policy, a DPS must be discrete from other conspecific populations, and 
it must be significant to its taxon. A group of organisms is discrete 
if physical, physiological, ecological or behavioral factors make it 
markedly separate from other populations of the same taxon. Under the 
DPS policy, if a population group is determined to be discrete, the 
agency must then consider whether it is significant to the taxon to 
which it belongs. Considerations in evaluating the significance of a 
discrete population include: (1) Persistence of the discrete population 
in an unusual or unique ecological setting for the taxon; (2) evidence 
that the loss of the discrete population segment would cause a 
significant gap in the taxon's range; (3) evidence that the discrete 
population segment represents the only surviving natural occurrence of 
a taxon that may be more abundant elsewhere outside its historical 
geographic range; or (4) evidence that the discrete population has 
marked genetic differences from other populations of the species.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best 
scientific and commercial data, 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 Gulf of Maine DPS. The 5-year review will 
consider the best scientific and commercial data that has become 
available since the listing determination for the Gulf of Maine DPS in 
June 2009. Our Northeast Fisheries Science Center will assist the 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office in gathering and analyzing 
this information. Categories of requested information include: (1) 
Population abundance; (2) population productivity; (3) changes in 
species distribution or population spatial structure; (4) genetics or 
other indicators of diversity; (5) changes in habitat conditions and 
associated limiting factors and threats; (6) conservation measures that 
have been implemented that benefit the species, including monitoring 
data demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures in addressing 
identified limiting factors or threats; (7) data concerning the status 
and trends of identified limiting factors or threats; (8) information 
that may affect determinations regarding the composition of the DPS; 
(9) other new information, data, or corrections including, but not 
limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of 
erroneous information in the previous listing determination, and 
improved analytical methods for evaluating extinction risk.
    If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may 
submit your information and materials electronically via email (see 
ADDRESSES section). We request that all information be accompanied by 
supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or 
reprints of pertinent publications. We also would appreciate
    the submitter's name, address, and any association, institution, or 
business that the person represents; however, anonymous submissions 
will be accepted.

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

    Dated: June 15, 2017.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12789 Filed 6-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P