Marine Mammal Protection Act; Draft Revised Stock Assessment Reports for Two Stocks of West Indian Manatee, 19002-19004 [2013-07157]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 60 / Thursday, March 28, 2013 / Notices
• We have added estimates of hazard
abatement surveys to table 4.1, and have
revised the cost estimates for
demolition.
• We added a section titled
‘‘Alternatives Considered but not Fully
Developed’’ to the final hunt program
EA (appendix E), which includes a
discussion on closing the refuge to
hunting.
• We modified the land protection
plan (appendix F) to incorporate climate
change information from the CCP and
estimated numbers of migratory birds
and breeding marshbirds that could use
emergent marsh habitats, once lands
have been acquired and restored. We
also revised the land protection plan
and final CCP to clarify which parcels
are existing refuge lands, which have
been previously added to the refuge’s
approved acquisition boundary but not
purchased, and which would be
included in the refuge expansion.
• We corrected the final fire
management plan EA to show that
alternative B is both the current
management (the no action alternative)
and the preferred-alternative.
We have selected alternative B to
implement for Montezuma NWR, with
these minor changes, for several
reasons. Alternative B incorporates a
combination of actions that, in our
professional judgment, work best
towards achieving the refuge’s purposes,
vision, and goals, Service policies, and
the goals of other State and regional
conservation plans. We also believe that
alternative B most effectively addresses
key issues raised during the planning
process. The basis of our decision is
detailed in the FONSI (appendix L in
the final CCP).
Public Availability of Documents
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
You can view or obtain the final CCP,
including the FONSI, as indicated under
ADDRESSES, and at the following
location:
• Public Library: the Seneca Falls
Library, located at 47 Cayuga Street,
Seneca Falls, NY 13148, during regular
library hours.
Dated: February 21, 2013.
Deborah Rocque,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2013–07237 Filed 3–27–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2012–0081;
FF04EF1000 123 FX.ES11130400000D2]
Marine Mammal Protection Act; Draft
Revised Stock Assessment Reports for
Two Stocks of West Indian Manatee
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request
for comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972,
as amended (MMPA), and its
implementing regulations, we, the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) have
developed draft revised marine mammal
stock assessment reports (SAR) for two
West Indian manatee stocks: the Puerto
Rico stock of Antillean manatees and
the Florida manatee stock. We now
make the SARs available for public
review and comment.
DATES: Comments must be received by
June 26, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Document Availability: You
may view the draft revised stock
assessment reports on https://
www.regulations.gov under Docket No.
FWS–R4–ES–2012–0081. You may also
view them in Adobe Acrobat format at
https://www.fws.gov/caribbean/es/
manatee.html (Puerto Rico stock) or at
https://www.fws.gov/northflorida/
(Florida stock). Alternatively, you may
contact the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Caribbean
Ecological Services Office, P.O. Box 491,
´
Boqueron, PR 00622; telephone: 787–
851–7297 (Puerto Rico stock) or the
Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, North Florida Ecological
Services Office, 7915 Baymeadows Way,
Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256–7517;
telephone: 904–731–3336 (Florida
stock).
Written Comments: You may submit
comments on the draft revised stock
assessment reports by one of the
following methods:
• U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public
Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No.
FWS–R4–ES–2012–0081; Division of
Policy and Directives Management; U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N.
Fairfax Drive, MS 2042–PDM;
Arlington, VA 22203; or
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments to
Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2012–0081.
Please indicate to which revised stock
assessment report(s)—the Antillean
manatee or Florida manatee—your
comments apply. We will not accept
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email or faxes. We will post all
comments on https://
www.regulations.gov. This generally
means that we will post any personal
information you provide us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jan
Zegarra, Caribbean Ecological Services
Field Office, 787–851–7297, ext. 220
(telephone), for information about the
draft revised SAR for the Puerto Rico
stock of Antillean manatees, and Jim
Valade, North Florida Ecological
Services Office, 904–731–3116
(telephone), for information about the
draft revised SAR for the Florida
manatee. Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
may call the Federal Information Relay
Service at 800–877–8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
We announce for review and
comment the availability of draft revised
marine mammal stock assessment
reports (SAR) for the Puerto Rico stock
of Antillean manatees (Trichechus
manatus manatus) and the Florida
manatee stock (Trichechus manatus
latirostris).
Under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et
seq.) and its implementing regulations
in the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) at 50 CFR part 18, we regulate the
taking, possession, transportation,
purchasing, selling, offering for sale,
exporting, and importing of marine
mammals. One of the goals of the
MMPA is to ensure that stocks of marine
mammals occurring in waters under
U.S. jurisdiction 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 under the MMPA 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’’
(16 U.S.C. 1362(3)(9)).
To help accomplish the goal of
maintaining marine mammal stocks at
their OSPs, section 117 of the MMPA
requires the Service and the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to
prepare a SAR for each marine mammal
stock that occurs in waters under U.S.
jurisdiction. Each SAR must include:
1. A description of the stock and its
geographic range;
2. A minimum population estimate,
maximum net productivity rate, and
current population trend;
3. An estimate of human-caused
mortality and serious injury;
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 60 / Thursday, March 28, 2013 / Notices
4. A description of commercial fishery
interactions;
5. A categorization of the status of the
stock; and
6. An estimate of the potential
biological removal (PBR) level.
The MMPA defines the PBR 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’’ (16 U.S.C.
1362(3)(20)). 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. This can be written
as:
PBR = (Nmin)(1⁄2 of the Rmax)(Fr)
Section 117 of the MMPA requires the
Service and NMFS to review the SARs
(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. If our review of the status of a
stock indicates that it has changed or
may be more accurately determined, the
SAR must be revised accordingly.
A strategic stock is defined in the
MMPA as a marine mammal stock ‘‘(a)
for which the level of direct humancaused mortality exceeds the PBR 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.) [the ‘‘ESA’’], within the
foreseeable future; or (c) which is listed
as a threatened or endangered species
under the ESA, or is designated as
depleted under [the MMPA]’’ (16 U.S.C.
1362(3)(19)).
SARs for both the Puerto Rico stock
of Antillean manatees and the Florida
manatee were last revised on December
30, 2009. Both are classified as strategic
stocks by virtue of their listing as an
endangered species under the ESA. The
Service reviewed the SARs in 2010 and
concluded that a revision of these SARs
was not warranted at that time because
the status of these stocks had not
changed since 2009, nor could they be
more accurately determined. Upon
subsequent review in 2011, the Service
determined that revision was warranted
for both stocks. These draft revised
SARs have been written in
consideration of the best scientific
information available with advice from
the Atlantic Scientific Review Group.
The following table summarizes the
information we are now making
available in the draft revised stock
assessment reports for the Puerto Rico
stock of Antillean manatees and Florida
manatees, which lists the stock’s Nmin,
Rmax, Fr, PBR, annual estimated humancaused mortality and serious injury, and
status. After consideration of any public
comments we receive, the Service will
revise and finalize the SARs as
appropriate for these stocks. We will
publish a notice of availability and
summary of the final SARs, including
responses to submitted comments.
SUMMARY: DRAFT REVISED STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR THE ANTILLEAN AND FLORIDA MANATEE
West Indian manatee stocks
Nmin
Antillean manatees (Puerto Rico) ..............................
Florida manatees .......................................................
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
References
In accordance with section 117(b)(1)
of the MMPA, we include in this notice
a list of the sources of information or
published reports upon which we based
the draft revised SAR. The Service
consulted technical reports, conference
proceedings, refereed journal
publications, and scientific studies
prepared or issued by Federal agencies,
nongovernmental organizations, and
individuals with expertise in the fields
of marine mammal biology and ecology,
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Rmax
178
4,834
0.04
0.062
Fr
PBR
0.1
0.1
population dynamics, modeling, and
commercial fishing practices.
These agencies and organizations
include: The Service, the U.S.
Geological Survey, the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, the
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and
Environmental Resources, the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources, the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission, Hubbs Sea World Research
Institute, the Gulf and Caribbean
Fisheries Institute, the Caribbean
Stranding Network, and Mote Marine
Laboratory. In addition, the Service
consulted publications such as the
Journal of Wildlife Management, Marine
Mammal Science, Marine Pollution
Bulletin, Marine Technology Society
Journal, Wildlife Monographs, Gulf and
Caribbean Research, Journal of Zoo and
Wildlife Medicine, Molecular Ecology,
and Molecular Ecology Notes, as well as
other refereed journal literature,
technical reports, and data sources in
the development of these SARs.
A complete list of citations to the
scientific literature relied on for each of
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Annual
estimated
human-caused
mortality
(5-year
average)
0
14
Stock
status
3
94
Strategic.
Strategic.
these SARs is available on the Federal
eRulemaking portal (https://
www.regulations.gov) under Docket No.
FWS–R4–ES–2012–0081. The list can
also be viewed in Adobe Acrobat format
at https://www.fws.gov/caribbean/es/
manatee.html or at https://www.fws.gov/
northflorida/.
In the past the Service has published
a complete list of citations to each
technical report, scientific paper, and
journal publication upon which the
draft revised SAR is based at the end of
the notice of availability. However, in
order for the public to more easily
understand how the agency has used
and interpreted the sources relied upon
in the draft revised SARs, the Service is
making the complete list of literature
citations available at the end of each of
the draft revised SARs. In recognition
that the public typically reviews our
draft SARs, or any revision thereof, in
conjunction with the list of supporting
literature citations found at the end of
draft SARs, the Service believes it is
unnecessary to additionally publish the
complete list of references in this notice
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 60 / Thursday, March 28, 2013 / Notices
of availability. Instead, we are only
including the complete list of references
at the end of the draft revised SARs,
which is available to the public through
the Government’s regulations portal and
our own Web pages (see ADDRESSES
section above).
Dated: March 22, 2013.
David J. Newman,
U.S. Geological Survey Federal Register
Liaison.
[FR Doc. 2013–07133 Filed 3–27–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4311–AM–P
Authority
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The authority for this action is the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972,
as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et al.).
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Dated: March 14, 2013.
Stephen Guertin,
Deputy Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of request for comments.
AGENCY:
[FR Doc. 2013–07157 Filed 3–27–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. Geological Survey
[GX13GG009950000]
Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory
Committee
AGENCY:
ACTION:
U.S. Geological Survey.
Notice of meeting.
Pursuant to Public Law 106–
503, the Scientific Earthquake Studies
Advisory Committee (SESAC) will hold
its next meeting at the Incorporated
Research Institutions for Seismology,
1200 New York Avenue, Suite 400,
Washington, DC 20005. The Committee
is comprised of members from
academia, industry, and State
government. The Committee shall
advise the Director of the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) on matters
relating to the USGS’s participation in
the National Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Program.
The Committee will receive reports on
the status of activities of the Program
and progress toward Program goals and
objectives. The Committee will assess
this information and provide guidance
on the future undertakings and direction
of the Earthquake Hazards Program.
Focus topics for this meeting include
induced seismicity, earthquake early
warning and international activities.
Meetings of the Scientific Earthquake
Studies Advisory Committee are open to
the public.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
April 4–5, 2013, commencing at
8:30 a.m. on the first day and adjourning
at Noon on April 5, 2013.
Contact: Dr. William Leith, U.S.
Geological Survey, MS 905, 12201
Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia
20192, (703) 648–6786, wleith@usgs.gov.
DATES:
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Renewal of Agency Information
Collection for Acquisition of Trust
Land
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking
comments on the renewal of Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
approval for the collection of
information for Acquisition of Trust
Land authorized by OMB Control
Number 1076–0100. This information
collection expires July 31, 2013.
DATES: Submit comments on or before
May 28, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on the information collection to
Matthew Kirkland, Bureau of Indian
Affairs, Division of Real Estate Services,
MS–4639–MIB, 1849 C Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20240; facsimile: (202)
219–1065; email:
Matthew.Kirkland@bia.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Matthew Kirkland, (202) 208–3615.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is
seeking renewal of the approval for the
information collection conducted under
25 CFR 151, Land Acquisitions, for the
United States to take land into trust for
individual Indians and Indian tribes.
This information collection allows BIA
to review applications for compliance
with regulatory and statutory
requirements. No specific form is used.
No third party notification or public
disclosure burden is associated with
this collection.
II. Request for Comments
The Bureau of Indian Affairs requests
your comments on this collection
concerning: (a) The necessity of this
information collection for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of the agency’s
estimate of the burden (hours and cost)
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of the collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
Ways we could enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (d) Ways we could
minimize the burden of the collection of
the information on the respondents.
Please note that an agency may not
conduct or sponsor, and an individual
need not respond to, a collection of
information unless it has a valid OMB
Control Number.
It is our policy to make all comments
available to the public for review at the
location listed in the ADDRESSES section.
Before including your address, phone
number, email address or other personal
identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 1076–0100.
Title: Acquisition of Trust Land, 25
CFR 151.
Brief Description of Collection:
Submission of this information allows
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to review
applications for the acquisition of land
into trust status by the United States on
behalf of individual Indians and Indian
tribes, pursuant to 25 CFR 151. The
information also allows the Secretary to
comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act and to
determine if title to the subject property
is marketable and unencumbered. No
specific form is used, but respondents
supply information and data in
accordance with 25 CFR 151, so that
BIA may make an evaluation and
determination on the application.
Response is required to obtain a benefit.
Type of Review: Extension without
change of currently approved collection.
Respondents: Individual Indians and
Indian tribes seeking acquisition of land
into trust status.
Number of Respondents: 1,000.
Number of Responses: 1,000.
Frequency of Response: Once per each
tract of land to be acquired.
Estimated Time per Response: Ranges
from 60 to 110 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden:
67,800 hours.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 60 (Thursday, March 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19002-19004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07157]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2012-0081; FF04EF1000 123 FX.ES11130400000D2]
Marine Mammal Protection Act; Draft Revised Stock Assessment
Reports for Two Stocks of West Indian Manatee
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972,
as amended (MMPA), and its implementing regulations, we, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (Service) have developed draft revised marine
mammal stock assessment reports (SAR) for two West Indian manatee
stocks: the Puerto Rico stock of Antillean manatees and the Florida
manatee stock. We now make the SARs available for public review and
comment.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 26, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Document Availability: You may view the draft revised stock
assessment reports on https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-
R4-ES-2012-0081. You may also view them in Adobe Acrobat format at
https://www.fws.gov/caribbean/es/manatee.html (Puerto Rico stock) or at
https://www.fws.gov/northflorida/ (Florida stock). Alternatively, you
may contact the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Caribbean Ecological Services Office, P.O. Box 491, Boquer[oacute]n, PR
00622; telephone: 787-851-7297 (Puerto Rico stock) or the Field
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, North Florida Ecological
Services Office, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL
32256-7517; telephone: 904-731-3336 (Florida stock).
Written Comments: You may submit comments on the draft revised
stock assessment reports by one of the following methods:
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2012-0081; Division of Policy and Directives
Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS
2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203; or
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. FWS-R4-
ES-2012-0081.
Please indicate to which revised stock assessment report(s)--the
Antillean manatee or Florida manatee--your comments apply. We will not
accept email or faxes. We will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any
personal information you provide us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jan Zegarra, Caribbean Ecological
Services Field Office, 787-851-7297, ext. 220 (telephone), for
information about the draft revised SAR for the Puerto Rico stock of
Antillean manatees, and Jim Valade, North Florida Ecological Services
Office, 904-731-3116 (telephone), for information about the draft
revised SAR for the Florida manatee. Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Information
Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
We announce for review and comment the availability of draft
revised marine mammal stock assessment reports (SAR) for the Puerto
Rico stock of Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) and the
Florida manatee stock (Trichechus manatus latirostris).
Under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and its implementing
regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 18,
we regulate the taking, possession, transportation, purchasing,
selling, offering for sale, exporting, and importing of marine mammals.
One of the goals of the MMPA is to ensure that stocks of marine mammals
occurring in waters under U.S. jurisdiction 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 under the MMPA 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'' (16
U.S.C. 1362(3)(9)).
To help accomplish the goal of maintaining marine mammal stocks at
their OSPs, section 117 of the MMPA requires the Service and the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prepare a SAR for each
marine mammal stock that occurs in waters under U.S. jurisdiction. Each
SAR must include:
1. A description of the stock and its geographic range;
2. A minimum population estimate, maximum net productivity rate,
and current population trend;
3. An estimate of human-caused mortality and serious injury;
[[Page 19003]]
4. A description of commercial fishery interactions;
5. A categorization of the status of the stock; and
6. An estimate of the potential biological removal (PBR) level.
The MMPA defines the PBR 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'' (16
U.S.C. 1362(3)(20)). 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. This can be written as:
PBR = (Nmin)(\1/2\ of the Rmax)(Fr)
Section 117 of the MMPA requires the Service and NMFS to review the
SARs (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. If our review of the status of a stock indicates that it
has changed or may be more accurately determined, the SAR must be
revised accordingly.
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
PBR 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.) [the ``ESA''], within the foreseeable future; or (c)
which is listed as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA, or
is designated as depleted under [the MMPA]'' (16 U.S.C. 1362(3)(19)).
SARs for both the Puerto Rico stock of Antillean manatees and the
Florida manatee were last revised on December 30, 2009. Both are
classified as strategic stocks by virtue of their listing as an
endangered species under the ESA. The Service reviewed the SARs in 2010
and concluded that a revision of these SARs was not warranted at that
time because the status of these stocks had not changed since 2009, nor
could they be more accurately determined. Upon subsequent review in
2011, the Service determined that revision was warranted for both
stocks. These draft revised SARs have been written in consideration of
the best scientific information available with advice from the Atlantic
Scientific Review Group.
The following table summarizes the information we are now making
available in the draft revised stock assessment reports for the Puerto
Rico stock of Antillean manatees and Florida manatees, which lists the
stock's Nmin, Rmax, Fr, PBR, annual
estimated human-caused mortality and serious injury, and status. After
consideration of any public comments we receive, the Service will
revise and finalize the SARs as appropriate for these stocks. We will
publish a notice of availability and summary of the final SARs,
including responses to submitted comments.
Summary: Draft Revised Stock Assessment Reports for the Antillean and Florida Manatee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual
estimated
West Indian manatee stocks Nmin Rmax Fr PBR human-caused Stock status
mortality (5-
year average)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antillean manatees (Puerto Rico)................ 178 0.04 0.1 0 3 Strategic.
Florida manatees................................ 4,834 0.062 0.1 14 94 Strategic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
References
In accordance with section 117(b)(1) of the MMPA, we include in
this notice a list of the sources of information or published reports
upon which we based the draft revised SAR. The Service consulted
technical reports, conference proceedings, refereed journal
publications, and scientific studies prepared or issued by Federal
agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals with expertise
in the fields of marine mammal biology and ecology, population
dynamics, modeling, and commercial fishing practices.
These agencies and organizations include: The Service, the U.S.
Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission, Hubbs Sea World Research Institute, the Gulf
and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, the Caribbean Stranding Network, and
Mote Marine Laboratory. In addition, the Service consulted publications
such as the Journal of Wildlife Management, Marine Mammal Science,
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Marine Technology Society Journal, Wildlife
Monographs, Gulf and Caribbean Research, Journal of Zoo and Wildlife
Medicine, Molecular Ecology, and Molecular Ecology Notes, as well as
other refereed journal literature, technical reports, and data sources
in the development of these SARs.
A complete list of citations to the scientific literature relied on
for each of these SARs is available on the Federal eRulemaking portal
(https://www.regulations.gov) under Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2012-0081. The
list can also be viewed in Adobe Acrobat format at https://www.fws.gov/caribbean/es/manatee.html or at https://www.fws.gov/northflorida/.
In the past the Service has published a complete list of citations
to each technical report, scientific paper, and journal publication
upon which the draft revised SAR is based at the end of the notice of
availability. However, in order for the public to more easily
understand how the agency has used and interpreted the sources relied
upon in the draft revised SARs, the Service is making the complete list
of literature citations available at the end of each of the draft
revised SARs. In recognition that the public typically reviews our
draft SARs, or any revision thereof, in conjunction with the list of
supporting literature citations found at the end of draft SARs, the
Service believes it is unnecessary to additionally publish the complete
list of references in this notice
[[Page 19004]]
of availability. Instead, we are only including the complete list of
references at the end of the draft revised SARs, which is available to
the public through the Government's regulations portal and our own Web
pages (see ADDRESSES section above).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Marine Mammal Protection Act
of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et al.).
Dated: March 14, 2013.
Stephen Guertin,
Deputy Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-07157 Filed 3-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
