Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Reports, 6994-6996 [08-498]

Download as PDF 6994 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 25 / Wednesday, February 6, 2008 / Notices SECTION 8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ANNOUNCEMENT OF AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007—Continued Housing agency Address CENTRAL OREGON REGIONAL HSG ........................ HSG AUTH OF CITY OF PITTSBURGH ..................... PHILADELPHIA HSG AUTH ......................................... MUNICIPALITY OF YAUCO ......................................... PUERTO RICO DEPT OF HSG ................................... CITY OF SPARTANBURG H/A .................................... HA OF SOUTH CAROLINA REG NO 3 ....................... KNOXVILLE COMM DEVEL CORP ............................. METRO DEVELOPMNT & HSG ................................... SAN ANTONIO HSG AUTH ......................................... Units Award 13 20 59 70 284 24 42 81 61 82 81,880 127,609 538,424 353,318 1,800,843 145,006 239,040 435,676 373,471 541,935 86 48 831,592 253,893 53 400,022 19 49 10 118,895 270,440 76,061 41 98 288,094 581,387 15 109,922 10 25 6 67,927 126,592 36,560 14 64,636 KENOSHA HSG AUTH ................................................. 405 SW 6TH ST, REDMOND, OR 97756 ........ 200 ROSS ST, PITTSBURGH, PA 15219 ....... 12 SO 23RD ST, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 P.O. BOX 6270, SAN JUAN, PR 00698 .......... P.O. BOX 21365, SAN JUAN, PR 00928 ........ P.O. BOX 2828, SPARTANBURG, SC 29304 P.O. BOX 1326, BARNWELL, SC 29812 ........ P.O. BOX 3550, KNOXVILLE, TN 37927 ........ 701 SO SIXTH ST, NASHVILLE, TN 37202 .... 818 S. FLORES ST, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78295. 3939 N. HAMPTON RD, DALLAS, TX 75212 .. 1098 W. EXPRESSWAY 83, MERCEDES, TX 78570. 817 SECOND AVE NO, TEXAS CITY, TX 77590. 124 E. SECOND ST, ODESSA, TX 79761 ...... 1401 POPLAR ST, MARSHALL, TX 75670 ..... 2377 N. STEMMONS FRWY, STE 200–LB 16, DALLAS, TX 75207. P.O. BOX 797, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23607 350 E. POYTHRESS ST, HOPEWELL, VA 23860. 601 SOUTH BELVIDERE ST, RICHMOND, VA 23220. 65 MAIN ST, BURLINGTON, VT 05401 .......... 1415 S 10TH, KELSO, WA 98626 ................... 809 NORTH BRDWAY, MILWAUKEE, WI 53201. 100 E. FOUNTAIN ST, DODGEVILLE, WI 53533. 625 52ND ST, KENOSHA, WI 53140 .............. 4 25,664 Total for Terminations and Optouts ....................... ........................................................................... 6,139 $51,875,373 Total for Housing Tenant Protection ..................... HOPE VI Vouchers: HSG AUTH OF ATLANTA, GA ..................................... ........................................................................... 12,718 $105,278,899 528 2,582,158 HSG AUTH OF PORTLAND ......................................... EASTON HSG AUTH ................................................... CITY OF SPARTANBURG HSG AUTH ....................... KINGSPORT HSG AUTH ............................................. HSG AUTH OF BEAUMONT ........................................ 230 JOHN WESLEY DOBBS AVE, NE, ATLANTA, GA 30303. 135 SW ASH ST, PORTLAND, OR 97204 ...... 157 SO FOURTH ST, EASTON, PA 18044 .... P.O. BOX 2828, SPARTANBURG, SC 29304 P.O. BOX 44, KINGSPORT, TN 37662 ........... 4925 CONCORD RD, BEAUMONT, TX 77708 13 165 114 87 53 29,984 393,929 336,759 271,528 102,885 Total for Hope VI ................................................... ........................................................................... 960 $3,717,243 Grand Total ..................................................... ........................................................................... 25,292 $149,146,013 HSG AUTH OF DALLAS .............................................. MERCEDES HSG AUTH .............................................. TEXAS CITY HSG AUTH ............................................. HSG AUTH OF ODESSA ............................................. MARSHALL HSG AUTH ............................................... DALLAS COUNTY HSG ASSISTANCE ....................... NEWPORT NEWS REDEV’T & HA .............................. HOPEWELL REDEV’T & HSG AUTH .......................... VIRGINIA HSG DEV’T & HSG AUTH .......................... ST ALBANS HSG AUTH .............................................. KELSO HSG AUTH ...................................................... HA OF THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE ............................ DODGEVILLE HSG AUTH ........................................... [FR Doc. E8–2087 Filed 2–5–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Reports Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of draft revised marine mammal stock assessment reports for three stocks of northern sea otters in Alaska; request for comments. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:21 Feb 05, 2008 Jkt 214001 SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has developed draft revised marine mammal stock assessment reports for the three stocks of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Alaska, which are available for public review and comment. Comments must be received by May 6, 2008. DATES: Copies of the draft revised stock assessment reports for northern sea otters in Alaska are available from the Marine Mammals Management Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503 (800) 362–5148. ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 If you wish to submit comments on the draft revised stock assessment reports for northern sea otters in Alaska, you may do so by either of the following methods: 1. You may submit written comments to the Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503. 2. You may hand-deliver written comments to our Marine Mammals Management Office at the above address during normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or you may fax your comments to 907/786–3816. E:\FR\FM\06FEN1.SGM 06FEN1 6995 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 25 / Wednesday, February 6, 2008 / Notices One of the goals of the MMPA is to ensure that stocks of marine mammals occurring in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States do not experience a level of human-caused mortality and serious injury that is likely to cause the stock to be reduced below its optimum sustainable population level (OSP). OSP is defined as ‘‘* * * the number of animals which will result in the maximum productivity of the population or the species, keeping in mind the carrying capacity of the habitat and the health of the ecosystem of which they form a constituent element.’’ To help accomplish the goal of maintaining marine mammal stocks at their OSPs, section 117 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361–1407) requires the Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prepare stock assessment reports for each marine mammal stock that occurs in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States. These stock assessments are to be based on the best scientific information available and are, therefore, prepared in consultation with established regional scientific review groups. Each stock assessment must include: (1) A description of the stock SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and its geographic range; (2) minimum population estimate, maximum net productivity rate, and current population trend; (3) estimate of humancaused mortality and serious injury; (4) commercial fishery interactions; (5) status of the stock; and (6) potential biological removal level (PBR). The PBR is defined 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 OSP.’’ The PBR is the product of the minimum population estimate of the stock (Nmin), one-half the maximum theoretical or estimated net productivity rate of the stock at a small population size (Rmax); and a recovery factor (Fr) of between 0.1 and 1.0, which is intended to compensate for uncertainty and unknown estimation errors. Section 117 of the MMPA also requires the Service and the NMFS to review and revise the stock assessment reports: (a) At least annually for stocks that are specified as strategic stocks; (b) at least annually for stocks for which significant new information is available; and (c) at least once every 3 years for all other stocks. A strategic stock is defined in the MMPA as a marine mammal stock: (A) For which the level of direct humancaused mortality exceeds the potential biological removal level; (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 of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), within the foreseeable future; or (C) which is listed as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, or is designated as depleted under the MMPA. A summary of the draft revised stock assessment reports is presented in Table 1. The table lists the stock=s Nmin, Rmax, Fr, PBR, annual estimated humancaused mortality and serious injury, and the status. After consideration of any public comments received, the Service will revise the stock assessments, as appropriate. We will publish a notice of availability and summary of the final stock assessments, including responses to the comments received. In accordance with the MMPA, a list of the sources of information or public reports upon which the assessment is based is included in this notice. TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF DRAFT REVISED STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR THREE U.S. NORTHERN SEA OTTER STOCKS. Stock Nmin pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Northern sea otters (Southeast AK) Northern sea otters (Southcentral AK). Northern sea otters (southwest AK) 18:21 Feb 05, 2008 Fr PBR Serious injury Stock status Fishery/ Other Subsistence 9,136 12,774 0.20 0.20 1.0 1.0 914 1,277 0 0 0 0 322 346 38,703 0.20 0.25 968 0 0.2 91 List of References Agler, B.A., S.J. Kendall, P.E. Seiser, and J.R. Lindell. 1995. Estimates of marine bird and sea otter abundance in southeast Alaska during summer 1994. Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. 90pp. Bodkin, J.L., and M.S. Udevitz. 1999. An aerial survey method to estimate sea otter abundance. Pages 13–26 in G.W. Garner et al., editors. Marine Mammal Survey and Assessment Methods. Balekema, Rotterdam, Netherlands. Bodkin, J.L., B.E. Ballachey, T.A. Dean, A.K. Fukuyama, S.C. Jewett, L.M. McDonald, D.H. Monson, C.E. O’Clair, and G.R. VanBlaricom. 2002. Sea otter population status and the process of recovery from the Exxon Valdez spill. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 241:237–253. Bodkin, J.L., B.E. Ballachey, T.A. Dean, and D. Esler. 2003. Patterns and Processes of VerDate Aug<31>2005 Rmax Annual 5-year estimated humancaused mortality Jkt 214001 Population Change in Selected Nearshore Vertebrate Predators. Exxon Valdez Restoration Project //423. Final Report. 83pp. Bodkin, J.L., D.H. Monson, and G.E. Esslinger. 2003. A report on the results of the 2002 Kenai Peninsula and Lower Cook Inlet aerial sea otter survey. USGS Report. 10pp. Bodkin, J.L. and G.E. Esslinger. 2006. Sea Otter Population Briefing, Southeast Alaska, 1969–2003; Data summary and initial interpretation. U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center report. 24pp. Burn, D.M., A.M. Doroff, and M.T. Tinker. 2003. Estimated carrying capacity and pre-decline abundance of sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in the Aleutian islands. Northwestern Naturalist. 84(3):145–148. Burn, D.M., and A.M. Doroff. 2005. Decline PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Non-strategic Non-strategic Strategic in sea otter (Enhydra lutris) populations along the Alaska Peninsula, 1986–2001. Fishery Bulletin. 103:270–279. Costa, D.P., and G.L. Kooyman. 1981. Effects of oil contamination in the sea otter Enhydra lutris. Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program. NOAA Final Report. La Jolla, California. Credle, V.A., D.P. DeMaster, M.M. Merlein, M.B. Hanson, W.A. Karp, and S.M. Fitzgerald (eds.). 1994. NMFS observer programs: minutes and recommendations from a workshop held in Galveston, Texas, November 10–11, 1993. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS–OPR–94–1. 96pp. DeGange, A.R., A.M. Doroff, and D.H. Monson. 1994. Experimental recovery of sea otter carcasses at Kodiak Island, Alaska, following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Marine Mammal Science 10:492– E:\FR\FM\06FEN1.SGM 06FEN1 pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES 6996 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 25 / Wednesday, February 6, 2008 / Notices 496. Dizon, A.E., C. Lockyer, W.F. Perrin, D.P. DeMaster, and J. Sisson. 1992. Rethinking the stock concept: a phylogeographic approach. Conservation Biology 6(1):24–36. Doroff, A.M., J.A. Estes, M.T. Tinker, D.M. Burn, and T.J. Evans. 2003. Sea otter population declines in the Aleutian Archipelago. J. Mammalogy. 84(1):55–64. Doroff, A.M., D.M. Burn, M.T. Tinker, R.A. Stovall, and V.A. Gill. In prep. Sea otter population trends in the Kodiak archipelago: Temporal dynamics at the edge of a large-scale decline in abundance. 32pp. Estes, J.A. 1990. Growth and equilibrium in sea otter populations. J. Anim. Ecol. 59:385–401. Estes, J.A., M.T. Tinker, A.M. Doroff, and D.M. Burn. 2005. Continuing sea otter population declines in the Aleutian archipelago. Marine Mammal Science. 21:169–172. Evans, T.J., D.M. Burn and A.R. DeGange. 1997. Distribution and Relative Abundance of Sea Otters in the Aleutian Archipelago. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management Technical Report, MMM 97–5. 29pp. Fadely, B.S., and M. Merklein. 2001. Update of preliminary analysis of marine mammal interactions, entanglements, and mortalities observed during the Cook Inlet salmon drift and set gillnet fisheries, 1999–2000. National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center report. 10pp. Garrott, R.A., L. L. Eberhard, and D.M. Burn. 1993. Mortality of sea otters in Prince William Sound following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Marine Mammal Science 9:343–359. Garshelis, D.L., and J.A. Garshelis. 1984. Movements and management of sea otters in Alaska. Journal of Wildlife Management 48(3): 665–678. Garshelis, D.L., A.M. Johnson, and J.A. Garshelis. 1984. Social organization of sea otters in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Canadian Journal of Zoology 62:2648–2658. Garshelis, D.L. 1997. Sea otter mortality estimated from carcasses collected after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Conservation Biology 11(4): 905–916. Gill, V.A., and D.M. Burn. 2007. Aerial surveys of sea otters in Yakutat Bay, Alaska, 2005. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management Office. Technical Report MMM 2007–01. 18pp. Gorbics, C.S., and J.L. Bodkin. 2001. Stock structure of sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Alaska. Marine Mammal Science 17(3):632–647. Irons, D.B., D.R. Nysewander, and J.L. Trapp. 1988. Prince William Sound sea otter distribution in respect to population growth and habitat type. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. Jameson, R.J., K.W. Kenyon, A.M. Johnson, and H.M. Wight. 1982. History and status of translocated sea otter populations in North America. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 10:100– 107. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:21 Feb 05, 2008 Jkt 214001 Johnson, A.M. 1982. Status of Alaska sea otter populations and developing conflicts with fisheries. Pages 293–299 in: Transactions of the 47th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, Washington DC. Kenyon, K.W. 1969. The sea otter in the eastern Pacific Ocean. North American Fauna 68. U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington DC. Manly, B.F.J., A.S. Van Atten, K.J. Kuletz, and C. Nations. 2003. Incidental catch of marine mammals and birds in the Kodiak Island set gillnet fishery in 2002. Western EcoSystems Technology Inc. Report. Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA. 91pp. Perez, M.A. 2003. Compilation of marine mammal incidental catch data for domestic and joint venture groundfish fisheries in the U.S. EEZ of the North Pacific, 1989–2001. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS–AFSC–138. 145pp. Perez, M.A. 2006. Analysis of marine mammal bycatch data from the trawl, longline, and pot groundfish fisheries of Alaska, 1998–2004, defined by geographic area, gear type, and target groundfish catch species. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS–AFSC– 167. 194pp. Perez, M.A. 2007. Bycatch of marine mammals in the groundfish fisheries of Alaska, 2006. Alaska Fisheries Science Center Processed Draft Report. 67pp. Pitcher, K.W. 1989. Studies of southeastern Alaska sea otter populations: distribution, abundance, structure, range expansion and potential conflicts with shellfisheries. Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Cooperative Agreement 14–16–0009–954 with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 24pp. Riedman, M.L. and J.A. Estes. 1990. The sea otter (Enhydra lutris): behavior, ecology, and natural history. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Biol. Rep. 90(14). 126pp. Simenstad, C.A., J.A. Estes, and K. W. Kenyon. 1978. Aleuts, sea otters, and alternate stable-state communities. Science 200:403–411. 127pp. Siniff, D.B., T.D. Williams, A.M. Johnson, and D.L. Garshelis. 1982. Experiments on the response of sea otters, Enhydra lutris, to oil contamination. Biol. Conserv. 2 OR 23:261–272. Stephensen, S.W., D.B. Irons, S.J. Kendall, B.K. Lance, and L.L. MacDonald. 2001. Marine bird and sea otter population abundance of Prince William Sound, Alaska: trends following the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill, 1989–2000. Restoration Project 00159 Annual Report. USFWS Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, Alaska. 114pp. Wade, P.R. and R. Angliss. 1997. Guidelines for assessing marine mammal stocks: report of the GAMMS workshop April 3– 5, 1996, Seattle, Washington. U.S. Dept. Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS– OPR–12. 93pp. Wynne, K.M., D. Hicks, and N. Munro. 1991. 1990 salmon gillnet fisheries observer programs in Prince William Sound and PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 south Unimak Alaska. Final Report, Saltwater, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. 65pp. Wynne, K.M. 1990. Marine mammal interactions with salmon drift gillnet fishery on the Copper River Delta, Alaska: 1988 and 1989. Alaska Sea Grant Technical Report AK–SG–90–05. 36pp. Dated: January 29, 2008. H. Dale Hall, Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 08–498 Filed 2–5–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management Privacy Act of 1974; as Amended; Creation of a New System of Records Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Proposed addition of a new system of records. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (5 U.S.C. 552a), notice is hereby given that the Department of the Interior proposes to establish a new system of records, INTERIOR, BLM–40, to be maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Department of the Interior is establishing a new system of records to manage the consolidated database of qualifications of Federal, State, local, contractor, volunteer, and special group wildland firefighters. This system will provide a single consolidated database for access to determine if personnel are qualified for specific positions on incident response teams. The typical incident for which the information would be used is on wildland fire support. However, other types of incidents do occur in which qualified personnel are needed and requested by other Federal Agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and by states for emergency situations such as hurricanes, floods, and human-caused disasters. The creation and the maintenance of this system are authorized in accordance with provisions of 43 U.S.C. 1811e, 42 U.S.C. 1856a, 15 U.S.C. 2201, 5 U.S.C. 4118, 5 U.S.C. 3101, 16 U.S.C. 551C, 43 U.S.C. 1457, EO 10561, 620 DM 1. EFFECTIVE DATES: 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(11) requires that the public be provided a 30 day period in which to comment on the agency’s intended use of the information in the system of records. The Office of Management and Budget, in its Circular A–130, requires an additional 10 day period (for a total of E:\FR\FM\06FEN1.SGM 06FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6994-6996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-498]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Reports

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of draft revised marine mammal stock 
assessment reports for three stocks of northern sea otters in Alaska; 
request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 
the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has developed draft revised 
marine mammal stock assessment reports for the three stocks of northern 
sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Alaska, which are available for 
public review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 6, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft revised stock assessment reports for 
northern sea otters in Alaska are available from the Marine Mammals 
Management Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor 
Road, Anchorage, AK 99503 (800) 362-5148.
    If you wish to submit comments on the draft revised stock 
assessment reports for northern sea otters in Alaska, you may do so by 
either of the following methods:
    1. You may submit written comments to the Manager, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503.
    2. You may hand-deliver written comments to our Marine Mammals 
Management Office at the above address during normal business hours 
from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or you may fax your 
comments to 907/786-3816.

[[Page 6995]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: One of the goals of the MMPA is to ensure 
that stocks of marine mammals occurring in waters under the 
jurisdiction of the United States do not experience a level of human-
caused mortality and serious injury that is likely to cause the stock 
to be reduced below its optimum sustainable population level (OSP). OSP 
is defined as ``* * * the number of animals which will result in the 
maximum productivity of the population or the species, keeping in mind 
the carrying capacity of the habitat and the health of the ecosystem of 
which they form a constituent element.''
    To help accomplish the goal of maintaining marine mammal stocks at 
their OSPs, section 117 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407) requires the 
Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prepare 
stock assessment reports for each marine mammal stock that occurs in 
waters under the jurisdiction of the United States. These stock 
assessments are to be based on the best scientific information 
available and are, therefore, prepared in consultation with established 
regional scientific review groups. Each stock assessment must include: 
(1) A description of the stock and its geographic range; (2) minimum 
population estimate, maximum net productivity rate, and current 
population trend; (3) estimate of human-caused mortality and serious 
injury; (4) commercial fishery interactions; (5) status of the stock; 
and (6) potential biological removal level (PBR). The PBR is defined 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 OSP.'' The PBR is the 
product of the minimum population estimate of the stock 
(Nmin), one-half the maximum theoretical or estimated net 
productivity rate of the stock at a small population size 
(Rmax); and a recovery factor (Fr) of between 0.1 
and 1.0, which is intended to compensate for uncertainty and unknown 
estimation errors.
    Section 117 of the MMPA also requires the Service and the NMFS to 
review and revise the stock assessment reports: (a) At least annually 
for stocks that are specified as strategic stocks; (b) at least 
annually for stocks for which significant new information is available; 
and (c) at least once every 3 years for all other stocks.
    A strategic stock is defined in the MMPA as a marine mammal stock: 
(A) For which the level of direct human-caused mortality exceeds the 
potential biological removal level; (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 of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), within the foreseeable 
future; or (C) which is listed as a threatened or endangered species 
under the Endangered Species Act, or is designated as depleted under 
the MMPA.
    A summary of the draft revised stock assessment reports is 
presented in Table 1. The table lists the stock=s Nmin, 
Rmax, Fr, PBR, annual estimated human-caused 
mortality and serious injury, and the status. After consideration of 
any public comments received, the Service will revise the stock 
assessments, as appropriate. We will publish a notice of availability 
and summary of the final stock assessments, including responses to the 
comments received.
    In accordance with the MMPA, a list of the sources of information 
or public reports upon which the assessment is based is included in 
this notice.

                          Table 1.--Summary of Draft Revised Stock Assessment Reports for Three U.S. Northern Sea Otter Stocks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Annual 5-year
                                                                                                   estimated human-
                                                                                       Serious     caused mortality
                     Stock                          Nmin     Rmax     Fr       PBR      injury -----------------------            Stock status
                                                                                                Fishery/
                                                                                                  Other   Subsistence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern sea otters (Southeast AK).............      9,136    0.20     1.0        914        0        0          322   Non-strategic
Northern sea otters (Southcentral AK)..........     12,774    0.20     1.0      1,277        0        0          346   Non-strategic
Northern sea otters (southwest AK).............     38,703    0.20    0.25        968        0      0.2           91   Strategic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of References

Agler, B.A., S.J. Kendall, P.E. Seiser, and J.R. Lindell. 1995. 
Estimates of marine bird and sea otter abundance in southeast Alaska 
during summer 1994. Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska. 90pp.
Bodkin, J.L., and M.S. Udevitz. 1999. An aerial survey method to 
estimate sea otter abundance. Pages 13-26 in G.W. Garner et al., 
editors. Marine Mammal Survey and Assessment Methods. Balekema, 
Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Bodkin, J.L., B.E. Ballachey, T.A. Dean, A.K. Fukuyama, S.C. Jewett, 
L.M. McDonald, D.H. Monson, C.E. O'Clair, and G.R. VanBlaricom. 
2002. Sea otter population status and the process of recovery from 
the Exxon Valdez spill. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 241:237-253.
Bodkin, J.L., B.E. Ballachey, T.A. Dean, and D. Esler. 2003. 
Patterns and Processes of Population Change in Selected Nearshore 
Vertebrate Predators. Exxon Valdez Restoration Project //423. Final 
Report. 83pp.
Bodkin, J.L., D.H. Monson, and G.E. Esslinger. 2003. A report on the 
results of the 2002 Kenai Peninsula and Lower Cook Inlet aerial sea 
otter survey. USGS Report. 10pp.
Bodkin, J.L. and G.E. Esslinger. 2006. Sea Otter Population 
Briefing, Southeast Alaska, 1969-2003; Data summary and initial 
interpretation. U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center 
report. 24pp.
Burn, D.M., A.M. Doroff, and M.T. Tinker. 2003. Estimated carrying 
capacity and pre-decline abundance of sea otters (Enhydra lutris 
kenyoni) in the Aleutian islands. Northwestern Naturalist. 
84(3):145-148.
Burn, D.M., and A.M. Doroff. 2005. Decline in sea otter (Enhydra 
lutris) populations along the Alaska Peninsula, 1986-2001. Fishery 
Bulletin. 103:270-279.
Costa, D.P., and G.L. Kooyman. 1981. Effects of oil contamination in 
the sea otter Enhydra lutris. Outer Continental Shelf Environmental 
Assessment Program. NOAA Final Report. La Jolla, California.
Credle, V.A., D.P. DeMaster, M.M. Merlein, M.B. Hanson, W.A. Karp, 
and S.M. Fitzgerald (eds.). 1994. NMFS observer programs: minutes 
and recommendations from a workshop held in Galveston, Texas, 
November 10-11, 1993. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. 
NMFS-OPR-94-1. 96pp.
DeGange, A.R., A.M. Doroff, and D.H. Monson. 1994. Experimental 
recovery of sea otter carcasses at Kodiak Island, Alaska, following 
the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Marine Mammal Science 10:492-

[[Page 6996]]

496.
Dizon, A.E., C. Lockyer, W.F. Perrin, D.P. DeMaster, and J. Sisson. 
1992. Rethinking the stock concept: a phylogeographic approach. 
Conservation Biology 6(1):24-36.
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    Dated: January 29, 2008.
H. Dale Hall,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 08-498 Filed 2-5-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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