[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14836-14837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4323]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. No. 031606B]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Announcement of
Initiation of a Status Review of the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for information.
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SUMMARY: We, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), intend to
review the status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale pursuant to the ESA to
determine if this group of beluga whales should be listed as an
endangered or threatened species. We previously reviewed the status of
these whales in 1998, and in 2000 concluded that a listing under the
ESA was not warranted at that time. We solicit information to be used
in reassessing the status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale.
DATES: Comments and information must be received by April 24, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Comments and information should be sent to Kaja Brix,
Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, NMFS,
Alaska Region, Attn: Ellen Walsh. Comments may be submitted by:
(1) Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668;
(2) Hand Delivery to the Federal Building: 709 West 9\th\Street,
Room 420A, Juneau, AK;
(3) FAX: 907-586-7557; or
(4) Email:[email protected]. Include in the subject
line of the email the following document identifier: CI Belugas Status
Review. Email comments, with or without attachments, are limited to
five (5) megabytes.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Smith, NMFS Alaska Region,
Anchorage Field Office, (907) 271-5006, Kaja Brix, NMFS, Alaska Region,
(907) 586-7235, or Marta Nammack, Office of Protected Resources, (301)
713-1401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ESA section 4 contains provisions and
procedures for adding and removing species to the lists of endangered
and threatened species. In particular, section 4(a) provides that NMFS
shall determine whether any species is threatened or endangered because
of any of the 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.
Pursuant to the ESA, and in response to petitions from external
organizations, we reviewed the status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale
under the ESA. We determined in 2000 that this group is a distinct
population segment (DPS) and, thus, a separate
species as defined by the ESA. We also determined
that listing the Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS as a threatened or
endangered species was not warranted at that time (65 FR 38778; June
22, 2000).
Between 1994, when we initiated abundance surveys for the stock,
and 1998, the Cook Inlet beluga whale population declined from an
estimated 673 animals to an estimated 347 animals. We stated that the
population was likely declining when the 1994 abundance was estimated,
and the historical abundance was likely more than 1,000 animals.
Subsistence harvest in 1995-1997 was estimated at 87 whales per year,
and we concluded this level of harvest accounted for the observed
decline of the population. At the time, no other factors could be
identified as having a significant effect on the beluga population.
Because there was an adequate regulatory mechanism in place to address
subsistence harvest, we concluded that an ESA listing was not
warranted. This determination was based in part on the expectation that
the population would increase after the harvest was reduced to
sustainable levels.
We are concerned that recovery may not be occurring as expected,
and we recognize that long-term persistence at a small population size
increases the risk to this population. Therefore, we plan to re-
evaluate the status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS under the ESA.
ESA section 4(a)(3) provides that NMFS shall, concurrent with
making a determination that a species is threatened or endangered,
designate critical habitat for that species. Critical habitat consists
of specific areas in which are found physical and biological features
essential to the conservation of the species and which may require
special management considerations or protection. Cook Inlet beluga
whales occur primarily in upper Cook Inlet, where human development and
occupation have been extensive. The status review concerns only whether
the Cook Inlet beluga whales should be listed. However, if we determine
listing
[[Page 14837]]
is necessary, we would also determine whether designation of critical
habitat is prudent and determinable.
Information Solicited
To ensure the status review is complete and based on the best
available scientific and commercial data, we solicit information and
comments concerning the Cook Inlet beluga whales and the extent to
which natural or human factors may be affecting them. We are
particularly interested in information that has been collected since
1998, when the previous status review was initiated, or information
that was not available for consideration during that status review. We
are seeking available information on: (1) Current known range of the
Cook Inlet beluga whale, with a particular focus on current and
historical habitat use; (2) demographic movements; (3) trends in
foraging habits and seasonal prey abundance; (4) trends in
environmental contamination; (5) contaminant burdens in prey species,
especially salmonids and eulachon; (6) impacts caused by human
recreational activities (e.g., boating); (7) current and planned
activities and their possible impacts to the Cook Inlet beluga whale
(e.g., habitat modification); (8) efforts to protect the Cook Inlet
beluga whale or improve its habitat; (9) non-human factors that may
have contributed to its decline (i.e., disease, biotoxins, climatic or
oceanographic regime shifts); and (10) industry effects from oil and
gas, municipal wastewater, commercial fishing, commercial shipping,
etc., and associated noise.
Information is available on the Cook Inlet beluga whale at: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/beluga.htm.
Dated: March 20, 2006.
Jim Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4323 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S