[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27451-27452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09241]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC960]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-
Year Review for the Taiwanese Humpback Dolphin

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 
Taiwanese humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis). 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 Taiwanese humpback dolphin, particularly information 
on the status, threats, and recovery of the species that has become 
available since it was listed in 2018.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than July 3, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2023-0064, by the following method:
     Electronic Submission: Submit electronic information via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
enter NOAA-NMFS-2023-0064 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Instructions: Information sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the specified 
period, may not be considered by NMFS. All information received is 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.),

[[Page 27452]]

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: Heather Austin at (301) 427-8422 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of the 
Taiwanese humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis) listed as 
endangered 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. This 
will be the first review of this species since it was listed in 2018 
under the ESA. 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/taiwanese-humpback-dolphin.

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 Sousa chinensis 
taiwanensis. 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: April 27, 2023.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-09241 Filed 5-1-23; 8:45 am]
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