Draft 2012 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports, 47043-47045 [2012-19308]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 152 / Tuesday, August 7, 2012 / Notices or exporters not covered in this review but covered in a prior segment of the proceeding, the cash deposit rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recent period; (3) if the exporter is not a firm covered in this review, a prior review, or the original investigation but the manufacturer is, the cash deposit rate will be the rate established for the most recent period for the manufacturer of the merchandise; (4) if neither the exporter nor the manufacturer is a firm covered in this review, the cash deposit rate will be the all-others rate of 6.65 percent ad valorem established in the LTFV investigation.41 These cash deposit requirements, when imposed, shall remain in effect until further notice. Notification to Importers This notice also serves as a preliminary reminder to importers of their responsibility under 19 CFR 351.402(f) to file a certificate regarding the reimbursement of antidumping duties prior to liquidation of the relevant entries during this review period. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the Secretary’s presumption that reimbursement of antidumping duties occurred and the subsequent assessment of double the antidumping duties. Authority and Publication We are issuing and publishing this notice in accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act. Dated: July 30, 2012. Paul Piquado, Assistant Secretary for Import Administration. [FR Doc. 2012–19313 Filed 8–6–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology Work Group on Measuring Systems for Electric Vehicle Fueling National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is forming a Work Group (WG) to develop proposed requirements for commercial electricity-measuring devices (including mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: 41 See Notice of Antidumping Duty Orders: Purified Carboxymethylcellulose from Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands and Sweden, 70 FR 39734 (July 11, 2005). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:52 Aug 06, 2012 Jkt 226001 those used in sub-metering electricity at residential and business locations and those used to measure and sell electricity dispensed as a vehicle fuel) and to ensure that the prescribed methodologies and standards facilitate measurements that are traceable to the International System of Units (SI). This work is not intended to address utility metering in the home or business where the electricity metered is consumed by the end purchaser. DATES: A preliminary web-based meeting or teleconference will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. This meeting is intended to be a precursor to any subsequent face-to-face meeting and will serve to provide further information and orientation regarding the objectives of the WG. To register for this preliminary meeting, please submit your full name, email address, and phone number to Mr. Marc Buttler by Friday, August 24, 2012, using the contact information provided below. ADDRESSES: The preliminary meeting will be held using either a teleconference or a web-based format where participants will join the meeting remotely by telephone and/or computer. Once registered, participants will receive login and/or call-in instructions via email. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Marc Buttler, NIST, Office of Weights and Measures, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2600, Gaithersburg, MD 20899–2600. You may also contact Mr. Buttler by telephone (301) 975–4615 or by email at marc.buttler@nist.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The formation of this WG is intended to bring together government officials and representatives of business, industry, trade associations, and consumer organizations on the subject of standards and test procedures used in the testing of commercial measuring devices and systems by regulatory officials and service companies. NIST participates to promote uniformity among the states in laws, regulations, methods, and testing equipment that comprises the regulatory control of commercial weighing and measuring devices and systems and other trade and commerce issues. The WG will review and propose changes as needed to draft method-ofsale requirements for: (1) Possible inclusion in NIST Handbook 130, ‘‘Uniform Laws and Regulations in the Areas of Legal Metrology and Engine Fuel Quality’’; (2) draft requirements for equipment used to measure and sell electricity in commercial applications for possible inclusion in NIST PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47043 Handbook 44, ‘‘Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices’’; and (3) proposed procedures for type evaluation, laboratory, and field testing of equipment for possible inclusion in NIST Examination Procedure Outlines and other procedures documents. The changes proposed to NIST Handbooks 44 and 130 will be put forward through the submission process outlined in the ‘‘Introduction’’ sections of these Handbooks. Included among the topics to be discussed by the WG for current and emerging device technologies used in commercial electric measuring systems are: (1) Method-of-sale requirements; (2) metrology laboratory standards and test procedures; (3) uncertainties; (4) measurement traceability; (5) tolerances and other technical requirements for commercial measuring systems; (6) existing standards for testing equipment; (7) field implementation; (8) data analysis; (9) field test and type evaluation procedures; (10) field enforcement issues; (11) training at all levels; and (12) other relevant issues identified by the WG. The WG’s technical output may result in the revision of current standards or the development of new standards for testing equipment, including documents such as the NIST Handbook 105 Series for field standards; NIST HB 44, and NIST Examination Procedure Outlines, as well as proposed changes to requirements and testing procedures for commercial devices and systems used to assess charges to consumers for electric vehicle fuel. There is no cost for participating in the Work Group. No proprietary information will be shared as part of the Work Group, and all research results will be in the public domain. Dated: August 1, 2012. Willie E. May, Associate Director for Laboratory Programs. [FR Doc. 2012–19285 Filed 8–6–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XC062 Draft 2012 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1 47044 ACTION: Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 152 / Tuesday, August 7, 2012 / Notices Notice; request for comments. NMFS reviewed the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act. SARs for marine mammals in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions were revised according to new information. NMFS solicits public comments on draft 2012 SARs. DATES: Comments must be received by November 5, 2012. ADDRESSES: The 2012 draft SARs, summaries of them, and references cited in this notice are available in electronic form via the Internet at https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/draft.htm. Copies of the Alaska Regional SARs may be requested from Robyn Angliss, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN 15700, Seattle, WA 98115–0070. Copies of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Regional SARs may be requested from Gordon Waring, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543. Copies of the Pacific Regional SARs may be requested from Jim Carretta, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037–1508. You may submit comments, identified by [NOAA–NMFS–2012–0119], by any of the following methods: Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal https:// www.regulations.gov. Mail: Send comments or requests for copies of reports to: Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–3226, Attn: Stock Assessments. Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https:// www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:52 Aug 06, 2012 Jkt 226001 Resources, 301–427–8402, Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov; Robyn Angliss 206–526–4032, Robyn.Angliss@noaa.gov, regarding Alaska regional stock assessments; Gordon Waring, 508–495–2311, Gordon.Waring@noaa.gov, regarding Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean regional stock assessments; or Jim Carretta, 858–546–7171, Jim.Carretta@noaa.gov, regarding Pacific regional stock assessments. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 117 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) requires NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to prepare stock assessments for each stock of marine mammals occurring in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States. These reports must contain information regarding the distribution and abundance of the stock, population growth rates and trends, estimates of annual human-caused mortality and serious injury from all sources, descriptions of the fisheries with which the stock interacts, and the status of the stock. Initial reports were completed in 1995. The MMPA requires NMFS and FWS to review the SARs at least annually for strategic stocks and stocks for which significant new information is available, and at least once every three years for non-strategic stocks. The term ‘‘strategic stock’’ means 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 within the foreseeable future; or (C) which is listed as a threatened species or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. NMFS and the FWS are required to revise a SAR if the status of the stock has changed or can be more accurately determined. NMFS, in conjunction with the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific independent Scientific Review Groups (SRGs), reviewed the status of marine mammal stocks as required and revised reports in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions to incorporate new information. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 2012 SARs. Alaska Reports In the Alaska region (waters off Alaska that are under the jurisdiction of the United States), SARs for 29 Alaska stocks (14 ‘‘strategic,’’ 15 ‘‘nonstrategic’’) were updated. The following stocks were reviewed and considered PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 for updating for 2012: Steller sea lion (western and eastern stocks), Northern fur seal, harbor seals (12 stocks), Cook Inlet beluga whale, AT1 transient killer whale, Pacific white-sided dolphin, harbor porpoise (Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Southeast Alaska stocks), Dall’s porpoise, sperm whale, humpback whale (western North Pacific and central North Pacific stocks), fin whale, minke whale, North Pacific right whale, and bowhead whale. Most revisions included updates of abundance and/or mortality estimates. None of the updates resulted in change of status of a stock. Information on the remaining Alaska region stocks can be found in the final 2011 reports (Allen and Angliss, 2012). In 2010, NMFS and the Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission held their annual co-management meeting during which they agreed to proceed with a revised set of population boundaries for harbor seals in Alaska, resulting in a population structure of twelve harbor seal stocks in Alaska. At the recommendation of the Alaska SRG, data for all 12 harbor seals stocks in Alaska will be presented in a single harbor seal SAR document. Therefore, NMFS will not be developing separate SARs for all 12 stocks. Serious injury and mortality records for harbor seals are reported; however, most of these records have not been assigned to a particular stock. Typically, the most recent five years of data are used for estimating average annual serious injury and mortality of stocks. In 2007, the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) developed a new database for the fisheries observer data and analytical methods for estimating bycatch were updated. As a result of these changes, AFSC determined that data from 2007 onward could not be combined with data from analyses of data prior to 2006. Therefore, after consulting the SRG, the AFSC decided to base fishery observer serious injury and mortality estimates on an analysis of the most recent fouryear period from 2007–2010. NMFS has decided to shift the eastern North Pacific gray whale SAR from the Alaska SARs to the Pacific SARs beginning in 2012, because the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) has the responsibility for conducting abundance estimates and management for the gray whale stock. In 2012, both the Alaska SRG and Pacific SRG reviewed the gray whale SAR, and staff who compile the Pacific SARs have worked closely with AFSC and Northwest Regional Office staff during this first year of transition. E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 152 / Tuesday, August 7, 2012 / Notices Atlantic Reports In the Atlantic region (including the Atlantic coast, Gulf Coast, and U.S. territories in the Caribbean), 52 reports (covering 80 stocks) were updated, including 23 Atlantic reports and 29 Gulf of Mexico reports. Of these, 43 stocks are ‘‘strategic’’ and 37 are ‘‘nonstrategic.’’ Information on the remaining Atlantic region stocks can be found in the final 2011 reports (Waring et al., 2011). Atlantic white-sided dolphins became non-strategic in 2012, due to new abundance estimates. The Northern North Carolina Estuarine System Stock of bottlenose dolphins has a new abundance estimate based on a 2006 mark-recapture survey, resulting in a PBR calculation of 7.9 animals for this stock (previously ‘‘undetermined’’ PBR); the stock remains ‘‘strategic.’’ The Gulf of Mexico Northern Coastal Stock of bottlenose dolphins changed from nonstrategic to strategic status with this 2012 report, because an Unusual Mortality Event of unprecedented size and duration (began 1 February 2010 and is ongoing) has impacted the Northern Coastal Stock area. A new section entitled Habitat Issues has been added to each Gulf of Mexico report, which includes information on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Pacific Reports In the Pacific region (waters along the west coast of the United States, within waters surrounding the main and Northwest Hawaiian Islands, and within waters surrounding U.S. Territories in the Western Pacific), SARs were revised for 15 stocks (five ‘‘strategic’’ and ten ‘‘non-strategic’’ stocks). Strategic stocks included: Hawaiian monk seal, Southern Resident killer whale, Hawaii Insular false killer whale, Hawaii Pelagic false killer whale, and California/Oregon/Washington Sperm Whale. Non-strategic stocks included: Long-beaked common dolphin, Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands false killer whale, Palmyra Atoll false killer whale, Hawaii Island spinner dolphin, Oahu/Four Islands spinner dolphin, Kauai/Niihau spinner dolphin, Pearl and Hermes Reef spinner dolphin, Midway Atoll/Kure spinner dolphin, and Hawaii Pelagic spinner dolphin. Information on the remaining Pacific region stocks can be found in the final 2011 reports (Carretta et al., 2012). The stock assessment report for Palmyra Atoll false killer whale now appears separately from false killer VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:52 Aug 06, 2012 Jkt 226001 whale reports that focus on the Hawaiian Islands region, and a new stock of Northwestern Hawaiian Islands false killer whales is presented for the first time. New abundance estimates are available for eight stocks: Hawaiian monk seal, Long-beaked common dolphin, Southern Resident killer whale, three stocks of spinner dolphin (Hawaii Island, Oahu/Four Islands, and Kauai/Niihau), Hawaii Pelagic false killer whale and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands false killer whale. The stock assessment report for Eastern North Pacific gray whales is now included in the Pacific Region stock assessment reports. Dated: August 1, 2012. Helen M. Golde, Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–19308 Filed 8–6–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XB158 Marine Mammals; File No. 16580 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Shannon Atkinson, Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 17101 Pt. Lena Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801 to receive, import and export marine mammal parts for scientific research. ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376; and Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668; phone (907) 586–7221; fax (907) 586–7249. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Morse or Jennifer Skidmore, (301)427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 30, 2012 notice was published in the Federal Register (77 FR 31835) that a request for a permit to receive, import and export specimens for scientific research had been submitted by the above-named applicant. The requested SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47045 permit has been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.). The permit authorizes the receipt and export of samples of marine mammals taken by Alaskan Native subsistence hunters; and the receipt, import, and export of specimens from scientists in academic, federal, and state institutions involved in legally authorized marine mammal research for all marine mammal species under NMFS jurisdiction. Marine mammal parts may be used incidentally for educational purposes. Import and export activities may occur world-wide. No takes of live animals are authorized. The permit will expire August 1, 2017. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit was based on a finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: August 1, 2012. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–19304 Filed 8–6–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION Proposed Collection; Comment Request Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. ACTION: Notice and request for comment. AGENCY: The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau), as part of a Federal Government-wide effort to streamline the process to seek feedback from the public on service delivery, invites the general public and other SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\07AUN1.SGM 07AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47043-47045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19308]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC062


Draft 2012 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports

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

[[Page 47044]]


ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS reviewed the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional 
marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) in accordance with the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act. SARs for marine mammals in the Alaska, 
Atlantic, and Pacific regions were revised according to new 
information. NMFS solicits public comments on draft 2012 SARs.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 5, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The 2012 draft SARs, summaries of them, and references cited 
in this notice are available in electronic form via the Internet at 
https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/draft.htm.
    Copies of the Alaska Regional SARs may be requested from Robyn 
Angliss, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE., BIN 15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070.
    Copies of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Regional SARs 
may be requested from Gordon Waring, Northeast Fisheries Science 
Center, 166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543.
    Copies of the Pacific Regional SARs may be requested from Jim 
Carretta, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8604 La Jolla Shores 
Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037-1508.
    You may submit comments, identified by [NOAA-NMFS-2012-0119], by 
any of the following methods:
    Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal https://www.regulations.gov.
    Mail: Send comments or requests for copies of reports to: Chief, 
Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226, Attn: Stock Assessments.
    Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record 
and will generally be posted to https://www.regulations.gov without 
change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, 
address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required 
fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to 
electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF 
file formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Bettridge, Office of Protected 
Resources, 301-427-8402, Shannon.Bettridge@noaa.gov; Robyn Angliss 206-
526-4032, Robyn.Angliss@noaa.gov, regarding Alaska regional stock 
assessments; Gordon Waring, 508-495-2311, Gordon.Waring@noaa.gov, 
regarding Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean regional stock 
assessments; or Jim Carretta, 858-546-7171, Jim.Carretta@noaa.gov, 
regarding Pacific regional stock assessments.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 117 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 
1361 et seq.) requires NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(FWS) to prepare stock assessments for each stock of marine mammals 
occurring in waters under the jurisdiction of the United States. These 
reports must contain information regarding the distribution and 
abundance of the stock, population growth rates and trends, estimates 
of annual human-caused mortality and serious injury from all sources, 
descriptions of the fisheries with which the stock interacts, and the 
status of the stock. Initial reports were completed in 1995.
    The MMPA requires NMFS and FWS to review the SARs at least annually 
for strategic stocks and stocks for which significant new information 
is available, and at least once every three years for non-strategic 
stocks. The term ``strategic stock'' means 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 within 
the foreseeable future; or (C) which is listed as a threatened species 
or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. NMFS and the 
FWS are required to revise a SAR if the status of the stock has changed 
or can be more accurately determined. NMFS, in conjunction with the 
Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific independent Scientific Review Groups 
(SRGs), reviewed the status of marine mammal stocks as required and 
revised reports in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions to 
incorporate new information. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 
2012 SARs.

Alaska Reports

    In the Alaska region (waters off Alaska that are under the 
jurisdiction of the United States), SARs for 29 Alaska stocks (14 
``strategic,'' 15 ``non-strategic'') were updated. The following stocks 
were reviewed and considered for updating for 2012: Steller sea lion 
(western and eastern stocks), Northern fur seal, harbor seals (12 
stocks), Cook Inlet beluga whale, AT1 transient killer whale, Pacific 
white-sided dolphin, harbor porpoise (Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, 
Southeast Alaska stocks), Dall's porpoise, sperm whale, humpback whale 
(western North Pacific and central North Pacific stocks), fin whale, 
minke whale, North Pacific right whale, and bowhead whale. Most 
revisions included updates of abundance and/or mortality estimates. 
None of the updates resulted in change of status of a stock. 
Information on the remaining Alaska region stocks can be found in the 
final 2011 reports (Allen and Angliss, 2012).
    In 2010, NMFS and the Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission held 
their annual co-management meeting during which they agreed to proceed 
with a revised set of population boundaries for harbor seals in Alaska, 
resulting in a population structure of twelve harbor seal stocks in 
Alaska. At the recommendation of the Alaska SRG, data for all 12 harbor 
seals stocks in Alaska will be presented in a single harbor seal SAR 
document. Therefore, NMFS will not be developing separate SARs for all 
12 stocks. Serious injury and mortality records for harbor seals are 
reported; however, most of these records have not been assigned to a 
particular stock.
    Typically, the most recent five years of data are used for 
estimating average annual serious injury and mortality of stocks. In 
2007, the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) developed a new 
database for the fisheries observer data and analytical methods for 
estimating bycatch were updated. As a result of these changes, AFSC 
determined that data from 2007 onward could not be combined with data 
from analyses of data prior to 2006. Therefore, after consulting the 
SRG, the AFSC decided to base fishery observer serious injury and 
mortality estimates on an analysis of the most recent four-year period 
from 2007-2010.
    NMFS has decided to shift the eastern North Pacific gray whale SAR 
from the Alaska SARs to the Pacific SARs beginning in 2012, because the 
Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) has the responsibility for 
conducting abundance estimates and management for the gray whale stock. 
In 2012, both the Alaska SRG and Pacific SRG reviewed the gray whale 
SAR, and staff who compile the Pacific SARs have worked closely with 
AFSC and Northwest Regional Office staff during this first year of 
transition.

[[Page 47045]]

Atlantic Reports

    In the Atlantic region (including the Atlantic coast, Gulf Coast, 
and U.S. territories in the Caribbean), 52 reports (covering 80 stocks) 
were updated, including 23 Atlantic reports and 29 Gulf of Mexico 
reports. Of these, 43 stocks are ``strategic'' and 37 are ``non-
strategic.'' Information on the remaining Atlantic region stocks can be 
found in the final 2011 reports (Waring et al., 2011).
    Atlantic white-sided dolphins became non-strategic in 2012, due to 
new abundance estimates. The Northern North Carolina Estuarine System 
Stock of bottlenose dolphins has a new abundance estimate based on a 
2006 mark-recapture survey, resulting in a PBR calculation of 7.9 
animals for this stock (previously ``undetermined'' PBR); the stock 
remains ``strategic.'' The Gulf of Mexico Northern Coastal Stock of 
bottlenose dolphins changed from non-strategic to strategic status with 
this 2012 report, because an Unusual Mortality Event of unprecedented 
size and duration (began 1 February 2010 and is ongoing) has impacted 
the Northern Coastal Stock area.
    A new section entitled Habitat Issues has been added to each Gulf 
of Mexico report, which includes information on the Deepwater Horizon 
oil spill and the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process.

Pacific Reports

    In the Pacific region (waters along the west coast of the United 
States, within waters surrounding the main and Northwest Hawaiian 
Islands, and within waters surrounding U.S. Territories in the Western 
Pacific), SARs were revised for 15 stocks (five ``strategic'' and ten 
``non-strategic'' stocks). Strategic stocks included: Hawaiian monk 
seal, Southern Resident killer whale, Hawaii Insular false killer 
whale, Hawaii Pelagic false killer whale, and California/Oregon/
Washington Sperm Whale. Non-strategic stocks included: Long-beaked 
common dolphin, Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale, Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands false killer whale, Palmyra Atoll false killer whale, Hawaii 
Island spinner dolphin, Oahu/Four Islands spinner dolphin, Kauai/Niihau 
spinner dolphin, Pearl and Hermes Reef spinner dolphin, Midway Atoll/
Kure spinner dolphin, and Hawaii Pelagic spinner dolphin. Information 
on the remaining Pacific region stocks can be found in the final 2011 
reports (Carretta et al., 2012).
    The stock assessment report for Palmyra Atoll false killer whale 
now appears separately from false killer whale reports that focus on 
the Hawaiian Islands region, and a new stock of Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands false killer whales is presented for the first time. New 
abundance estimates are available for eight stocks: Hawaiian monk seal, 
Long-beaked common dolphin, Southern Resident killer whale, three 
stocks of spinner dolphin (Hawaii Island, Oahu/Four Islands, and Kauai/
Niihau), Hawaii Pelagic false killer whale and Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands false killer whale. The stock assessment report for Eastern 
North Pacific gray whales is now included in the Pacific Region stock 
assessment reports.

    Dated: August 1, 2012.
Helen M. Golde,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-19308 Filed 8-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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