[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 48 (Monday, March 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15377-15378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05102]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC821]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-
Year Review for the Arabian Sea, Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa, 
Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific Distinct Population 
Segments of Humpback Whales

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation, request for information.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the 
Arabian Sea, Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa, Central America, 
Mexico, and Western North Pacific Distinct Population Segments of the 
humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). NMFS is required by the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that 
the listing classifications of 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 humpback whale.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive

[[Page 15378]]

your information no later than April 12, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2023-0029 by the following method:
     Electronic Submission: Submit electronic information via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov and enter 
NOAA-NMFS-2023-0029 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the specified 
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.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information submitted 
voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept 
anonymous submissions (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish 
to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meghan Gahm at (301) 427-8494 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of the five 
distinct population segments (DPSs) of the humpback whale (Megaptera 
novaeangliae) listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. Section 
4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of listed 
species at least once every 5 years. The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 
require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing 
species currently under active review. On the basis of such reviews 
under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any species should be 
removed from the list (i.e., delisted) or reclassified from endangered 
to threatened or from threatened to endangered (16 U.S.C. 
1533(c)(2)(B)). As described by the regulations in 50 CFR 424.11(e), 
the Secretary shall delist a species if the Secretary finds that, after 
conducting a status review based on the best scientific and commercial 
data available: (1) the species is extinct; (2) the species does not 
meet the definition of an endangered species or a threatened species; 
and/or (3) the listed entity does not meet the statutory definition of 
a species. Any change in Federal classification would require a 
separate rulemaking process.
    Background information on the species is available on the NMFS 
website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/humpback-whale.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the 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 Megaptera novaeangliae. 
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 important 
features for conservation; (3) status and trends of threats to the 
species and its habitats; (4) conservation measures that have been 
implemented that benefit the species, including monitoring data 
demonstrating effectiveness of such measures; and (5) other new 
information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to, 
taxonomic or nomenclatural changes and improved analytical methods for 
evaluating extinction risk.
    If you wish to provide information for the review, you may submit 
your information and materials electronically (see ADDRESSES section). 
We request that all information be accompanied by supporting 
documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or reprints of 
pertinent publications.

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

    Dated: March 8, 2023.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-05102 Filed 3-10-23; 8:45 am]
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