[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 18, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 51511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13368]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE025]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-
Year Review for Maui's Dolphin and the South Island Hector's 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: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the 
initiation of a 5-year review for the Maui's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus 
hectori maui) and South Island Hector's dolphin (C. hectori hectori). 
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 Maui's dolphin and the South 
Island Hector's dolphin, particularly information on the status, 
threats, and recovery of the species that has become available since 
their original listings as endangered and threatened species, 
respectively, in 2017.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than August 19, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2024-0073, 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-2024-0073 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.), 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: Kristen Koyama (301) 427-8456 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of Maui's 
dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori maui) and the South Island Hector's 
dolphin (C. hectori hectori) listed as endangered and threatened under 
the ESA, respectively. 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 2017 
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 determines based on consideration of the factors and 
standards set forth in paragraph (c) of that section, that the best 
scientific and commercial data available substantiate that: (1) the 
species is extinct; (2) the species has recovered to the point at which 
it no longer meets the definition of an endangered species or a 
threatened species; (3) new information that has become available since 
the original listing decisions on how the listed entity does not meet 
the definition of an endangered species or a threatened species; or (4) 
new information that has become available since the original listing 
decision shows the listed entity does not meet the definition of a 
species. Any change in Federal classification would require a separate 
rulemaking process.
    Background information on both subspecies is available on the NMFS 
website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/hectors-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 Cephalorhynchus hectori 
maui and Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori. 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: June 12, 2024.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-13368 Filed 6-17-24; 8:45 am]
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