[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 203 (Monday, October 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58887-58890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23225]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB302]


Draft 2021 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments and new information.

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SUMMARY: NMFS reviewed the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional 
marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) in accordance with the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). SARs for marine mammals in the 
Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions were revised according to new 
information. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 2021 SARs. NMFS 
is also requesting new information for strategic stocks that were not 
updated in 2021.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 24, 2022.

ADDRESSES: The 2021 draft SARs are available in electronic form via the 
internet at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/draft-marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports.
    Copies of the Alaska Regional SARs may be requested from Marcia 
Muto, Alaska Fisheries Science Center; copies of the Atlantic, Gulf of 
Mexico, and Caribbean Regional SARs may be requested from Elizabeth 
Josephson, Northeast Fisheries Science Center; and copies of the 
Pacific Regional SARs may be requested from Jim Carretta, Southwest 
Fisheries Science Center (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below).
    You may submit comments or new information, identified by NOAA-
NMFS-2021-0130, through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal:
    Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
enter NOAA-NMFS-2021-0130 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Instructions: NMFS 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 comment period. Due to delays in processing mail related 
to COVID-19 and health and safety concerns, no mail, courier, or hand 
deliveries will be accepted. 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.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zachary Schakner, Office of Science 
and Technology, 301-427-8106, [email protected]; Marcia Muto, 
206-526-4026, [email protected], regarding Alaska regional stock 
assessments; Elizabeth Josephson, 508-495-2362, 
[email protected], regarding Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and 
Caribbean regional stock assessments; or Jim Carretta, 858-546-7171, 
[email protected], regarding Pacific regional stock assessments.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    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 
for each stock of marine mammals occurring in waters under the 
jurisdiction of the United States, including the U.S. Exclusive 
Economic Zone (EEZ). These stock assessment reports (SARs) must contain 
information regarding the distribution and abundance of the stock, 
population growth rates and trends, estimates of annual human-caused 
mortality and serious injury (M/SI) from all sources, descriptions of 
the fisheries with which the stock interacts, and the status of the 
stock. Initial SARs were completed in 1995.
    The MMPA requires NMFS and FWS to review the SARs at least annually 
for strategic stocks and stocks for which significant new information 
is available, and at least once every three years for non-strategic 
stocks. The term ``strategic stock'' means a marine mammal stock: (A) 
For which the level of direct human-caused mortality exceeds the 
potential biological removal level or PBR (defined by the MMPA as the 
maximum number of animals, not including natural mortalities, that may 
be removed from a marine mammal stock while allowing that stock to 
reach or maintain its optimum sustainable population); (B) which, based 
on the best available scientific information, is declining and is 
likely to be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA) within the foreseeable future; or (C) which is listed 
as a threatened species or endangered species under the ESA or is 
designated as depleted under the MMPA. NMFS and FWS are required to 
revise a SAR if the status of the stock has changed or can be more 
accurately determined.
    In order to ensure that marine mammal SARs constitute the best 
scientific information available, the updated SARs under NMFS's 
jurisdiction are peer-reviewed within NOAA Fisheries Science Centers 
and by members of three regional independent Scientific Review Groups, 
established under the MMPA to independently advise NMFS. As a result of 
the review, revision, and assessment of available data, the period 
covered by the 2021

[[Page 58888]]

draft SARs is 2015 through 2019. While this results in a time lag, the 
extensive peer review process ensures the best scientific information 
is available in the SARs.
    NMFS reviewed the status of all marine mammal strategic stocks as 
required and considered whether significant new information was 
available for all other stocks under NMFS's jurisdiction. As a result 
of this review, NMFS revised a total of 50 SARs in the Alaska, 
Atlantic, and Pacific regions to incorporate new information. The 2021 
revisions to the SARs consist primarily of updated or revised human-
caused M/SI estimates and updated abundance estimates. No stocks 
changed in status from ``non-strategic'' to ``strategic.'' Three stocks 
changed in status from ``strategic'' to ``non-strategic.'' Highlights 
of the draft 2021 SAR revisions are discussed below.
    NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 2021 SARs. To ensure 
NMFS is aware of new information relevant to all strategic stocks, NMFS 
also requests new information for strategic stocks that were not 
updated in 2021. Specifically, new relevant information could include 
peer-reviewed information on human-caused M/SI, fishery interactions, 
abundance, distribution, stock structure, habitat concerns, and other 
information on emerging concerns for strategic stocks that could be 
incorporated into the SARs.

Alaska Reports

    In 2021, NMFS reviewed new information for 19 stocks in the Alaska 
Region and revised five SARs under NMFS's jurisdiction: Four strategic 
stocks and one non-strategic stock. A list of the revised SARs in 2021 
for the Alaska region is presented in Table 1. Information on the 
remaining Alaska region stocks can be found in the final 2020 SARs 
(Muto et al. 2021).

  Table 1--List of Marine Mammal Stocks in the Alaska Region Revised in
                                  2021
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Strategic stocks                   Non-strategic stocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Northern fur seal, Eastern          Dall's porpoise,
 Pacific.*                                   Alaska.*
 Beluga whale, Cook Inlet.
 Harbor porpoise, Southeast
 Alaska.*
 Bowhead whale, Western Arctic.
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* Includes updated abundance estimates.

Northern Fur Seal, Eastern Pacific

    The updated abundance estimate for the Eastern Pacific stock of 
northern fur seals is 626,618 northern fur seals, based on pup 
production estimates on Sea Lion Rock (2014), on St. Paul and St. 
George Islands (mean of 2014, 2016, and 2018), and on Bogoslof Island 
(mean of 2015 and 2019). This is an increase from the previous estimate 
of 608,143 northern fur seals. The methods for estimating the 
population size are the same as previous years (the population size is 
estimated as the number of pups born at rookeries in the eastern Bering 
Sea multiplied by a series of expansion factors determined from a 
previous life table analysis). The updated minimum population estimate 
is 530,376 northern fur seals. The Eastern Pacific stock of northern 
fur seals remains classified as a strategic stock because it is 
designated as depleted under the MMPA.

Harbor Porpoise, Southeast Alaska

    The updated best estimate of abundance (uncorrected for animals 
missed on the trackline), derived from a vessel survey in 2019, is 
1,302 harbor porpoise. This estimate is not statistically different 
from the previous (uncorrected) estimate of 975 in 2010-2012. However, 
the estimates for both 2010-2012 and 2019 are for the inland waters of 
Southeast Alaska, which is only a portion of the range of this stock. 
The updated minimum population estimate for this stock is 1,057 
porpoise.

Beluga Whale, Eastern Bering Sea

    NMFS has temporarily withdrawn the final 2020 Eastern Bering Sea 
Beluga whale stock assessment report from the NMFS website in order to 
consult with the Alaska Beluga Whale Committee (ABWC) on the change in 
the stock's status from non-strategic to strategic, as is outlined in 
the NMFS-ABWC co-management agreement. This has been noted on the NOAA 
Fisheries website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-species-stock#cetaceans---small-whales.
    NMFS is providing this information for awareness only and is not 
seeking public comment on the NMFS-ABWC co-management agreement, nor 
the final 2020 Eastern Bering Sea Beluga whale stock assessment report.

Atlantic Reports

    In 2021, NMFS reviewed all 116 stocks in the Atlantic region for 
new information (including the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. 
territories in the Caribbean). This year, NMFS revised 23 SARs in the 
Atlantic region (Table 2). No stocks changed in status from ``non-
strategic'' to ``strategic.'' Three Northern Gulf of Mexico bay, sound 
and estuary stocks of common bottlenose dolphin changed from strategic 
to non-strategic (Galveston Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay; Mississippi 
River Delta; and Sabine Lake). Previously, information for the 
Galveston Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay stock of common bottlenose 
dolphins was contained within the report ``Common Bottlenose Dolphin, 
Northern Gulf of Mexico Bay, Sound, and Estuary Stocks.'' This stock 
now has its own report. A list of the revised SARs in the Atlantic 
region for 2021 is presented in Table 2. Information on the remaining 
Atlantic region stocks can be found in the final 2020 SARs (Hayes et 
al. 2021).

  Table 2--List of Marine Mammal SARs in the Atlantic Region Revised in
                                  2021
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Strategic stocks                   Non-strategic stocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 North Atlantic right whale,         Common bottlenose
 Western North Atlantic (WNA).*              dolphin, Gulf of Mexico
                                             Eastern Coastal.*
 Fin whale, WNA.                     Common bottlenose
                                             dolphin, Gulf of Mexico
                                             Western Coastal.*
 Sei whale, Nova Scotia.             Common bottlenose
                                             dolphin, Gulf of Mexico
                                             Northern Coastal.*
 Common bottlenose dolphin,          Common bottlenose
 Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay         dolphin, Northern Gulf of
 Boudreau.*                                  Mexico Continental Shelf.*
 Common bottlenose dolphin,          Common bottlenose
 Barataria Bay Estuarine System.*            dolphin, West Bay.*

[[Page 58889]]

 
 Common bottlenose dolphin,          Common bottlenose
 Northern Gulf of Mexico Bay, Sound, and     dolphin, Galveston Bay,
 Estuary Stocks.**                           East Bay, Trinity Bay.
                                             Atlantic white-
                                             sided dolphin, WNA.
                                             Atlantic spotted
                                             dolphin, Northern Gulf of
                                             Mexico.*
                                             Long-finned pilot
                                             whale, WNA.
                                             Harp seal, WNA.*
                                             Short-finned pilot
                                             whale, WNA.
                                             Common Minke whale,
                                             Canadian East Coast.
                                             Common dolphin,
                                             WNA.
                                             Harbor porpoise,
                                             Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy.
                                             Harbor seal, WNA.*
                                             Gray seal, WNA.*
                                             Risso's dolphin,
                                             WNA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
** Excluding the Sabine Lake, Mississippi River Delta, and Sarasota Bay/
  Little Sarasota Bay stocks.

North Atlantic Right Whale, Western North Atlantic

    The new abundance estimate calculated for the western North 
Atlantic right whale stock is 368 individuals, which is a decrease from 
the previous estimate of 412 individuals contained in the 2020 report. 
This updated estimate is based on a published state-space model of the 
sighting histories of individual whales identified using photo-
identification techniques (Pace et al. 2017, Pace 2021) and reflects 
the impacts of the ongoing Unusual Mortality Event declared in 2017 for 
the species (NMFS 2021).

Harp Seal, Western Atlantic

    Per recommendations by the Atlantic Scientific Review Group, a PBR 
was calculated for harp seal based on the minimum estimate of abundance 
in Canadian waters because there is no known resident population in 
U.S. waters. PBR for the western North Atlantic harp seal is 426,000; 
previously the PBR was reported as unknown. The best estimate of 
abundance for western North Atlantic harp seals, based on the last 2017 
survey, is 7.6 million (95 percent Confidence Intervals 6.5-8.8 
million; DFO 2020).

Pacific Reports

    In 2021, NMFS reviewed all 85 stocks in the Pacific region (waters 
along the west coast of the United States, within waters surrounding 
the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and within waters 
surrounding U.S. territories in the Western Pacific) for new 
information, and revised SARs for 22 stocks (6 strategic and 16 non-
strategic). A list of revised SARs in 2021 for the Pacific region is 
presented in Table 3. Information on the remaining Pacific region 
stocks can be found in the final 2020 SARs (Carretta et al. 2021).

  Table 3--List of Marine Mammal SARs in the Pacific Region Revised in
                                  2021
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Strategic stocks                   Non-strategic stocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 False killer whale, Main Hawaiian   Baird's beaked
 Islands Insular.                            whale, California/Oregon/
                                             Washington.
 Hawaiian monk seal.*                Common Bottlenose
                                             dolphin, California/Oregon/
                                             Washington Offshore.*
 Killer whale, Eastern North         Short-beaked common
 Pacific Southern Resident.*                 dolphin, California/Oregon/
                                             Washington.*
 Humpback whale, California/Oregon/  Long-beaked common
 Washington.                                 dolphin, California/Oregon/
                                             Washington.*
 Fin whale, California/Oregon/
 Washington.
 Blue whale, Eastern North           Dall's porpoise,
 Pacific.                                    California/Oregon/
                                             Washington.
                                             Harbor porpoise,
                                             Monterey Bay.*
                                             Harbor porpoise,
                                             Morro Bay.*
                                             Harbor porpoise,
                                             Northern California
                                             Southern Oregon.*
                                            ............................
                                             Harbor porpoise,
                                             San Francisco Russian
                                             River.*
                                             Minke whale,
                                             California/Oregon/
                                             Washington.
                                             Northern Elephant
                                             seal, California breeding.
                                             Northern right
                                             whale dolphin, California/
                                             Oregon/Washington.*
                                             Pacific White-sided
                                             dolphin, California/Oregon/
                                             Washington.*
                                             Striped dolphin,
                                             California/Oregon/
                                             Washington.*
                                             False killer whale,
                                             Northwest Hawaiian
                                             Islands.*
                                             False killer whale,
                                             Hawaii Pelagic.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes updated abundance estimates.

Updated Abundance Estimates for California Current Stocks

    The majority of the revised Pacific SARs contain new abundance 
estimates from the California Current Ecosystem Survey using a 
consistent analysis approach. Given the heterogeneity of the 2018 
survey coverage in the California Coastal Ecosystem study area, Species 
Distribution Models were used to estimate abundance for numerous U.S. 
West Coast marine mammal stocks rather than using design-based 
analytical approaches. The use of species distribution models for 
density and abundance estimation is well-established for this region 
and models incorporate changes in species abundance and habitat shifts 
over time.

[[Page 58890]]

References

Carretta et al. 2021. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 
2020, U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-
SWFSC-646.
DFO 2020. 2019 status of Northwest Atlantic harp seals, (Pagophilus 
groenlandicus). Department of Fisheries and Oceans. DFO Can. Sci. 
Advis. Sec. Sci. Rep. 2020/020. 14 pp.
Hayes, S.A., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley, P.E. Rosel, and J. Turek. 
2021. US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico marine mammal stock assessments 
2020. NOAA Tech Memo NMFS-NE-271. 403 pp.
Muto, M. M., V. T. Helker, B. J. Delean, N. C. Young, J. C. Freed, 
R. P. Angliss, N. A. Friday, P. L. Boveng, J. M. Breiwick, B. M. 
Brost, M. F. Cameron, P. J. Clapham, J. L. Crance, S. P. Dahle, M. 
E. Dahlheim, B. S. Fadely, M. C. Ferguson, L. W. Fritz, K. T. Goetz, 
R. C. Hobbs, Y. V. Ivashchenko, A. S. Kennedy, J. M. London, S. A. 
Mizroch, R. R. Ream, E. L. Richmond, K. E. W. Shelden, K. L. 
Sweeney, R. G. Towell, P. R. Wade, J. M. Waite, and A. N. Zerbini. 
2021. Alaska marine mammal stock assessments, 2020. U.S. Dep. 
Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-AFSC-421, 398 p.
NMFS. 2021, August 11. 2017-2021 North Atlantic Right Whale Unusual 
Mortality Event. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/2017-2021-north-atlantic-right-whale-unusual-mortality-event.
Pace, R.M. 2021. Revisions and further evaluations of the right 
whale abundance model: improvements for hypothesis testing. NOAA 
Tech Memo NMFS-NE 269. 54 pp.
Pace, R.M., III, P.J. Corkeron and S.D. Kraus. 2017. State-space 
mark-recapture estimates reveal a recent decline in abundance of 
North Atlantic right whales. Ecol. and Evol. 7:8730-8741. DOI: 
10.1002/ece3.3406

    Dated: October 19, 2021.
Evan Howell,
Director, Office of Science and Technology, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-23225 Filed 10-22-21; 8:45 am]
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