Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Report for the Southern Sea Otter in California, 4696-4699 [2020-01326]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 17 / Monday, January 27, 2020 / Notices
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Authority
We provide this notice under section
10 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
Stephen P. Henry,
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife
Office, Ventura, California.
[FR Doc. 2020–01288 Filed 1–24–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R8–ES–2019–N045; FF08EVEN00–
FXES111608MSSO0]
Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock
Assessment Report for the Southern
Sea Otter in California
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request
for comments.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972,
as amended, we, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, have developed a draft
revised marine mammal stock
assessment report for the southern sea
otter stock in the State of California. We
now make the draft stock assessment
report available for public review and
comment.
DATES: We will consider comments that
are received or postmarked on or before
April 27, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Document availability: If
you wish to review the draft revised
stock assessment report for southern sea
otter, you may obtain a copy from our
website at https://www.fws.gov/ventura.
Alternatively, you may contact the
Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493
Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA
93003 (telephone: 805–644–1766).
Comment submission: If you wish to
comment on the draft stock assessment
report, you may submit your comments
in writing by any one of the following
methods:
• U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the
above address;
• Hand delivery: Ventura Fish and
Wildlife Office at the above address;
• Fax: 805–644–3958; or
• Email: fw8ssostock@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lilian Carswell, at the above street
address, by telephone (805–677–3325),
or by email (Lilian_Carswell@fws.gov).
Persons who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the
Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339.
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SUMMARY:
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We
announce the availability for review and
comment of a draft revised marine
mammal stock assessment report (SAR)
for the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris
nereis) stock in the State of California.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under the Marine Mammal Protection
Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and its
implementing regulations in the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR
part 18, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) regulates the taking;
import; and, under certain conditions,
possession; transportation; purchasing;
selling; and offering for sale, purchase,
or export, of marine mammals. One of
the MMPA’s goals 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(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. A SAR must be based on
the best scientific information available;
therefore, we prepare it in consultation
with regional scientific review groups
established under section 117(d) of the
MMPA. Each SAR must include:
1. A description of the stock and its
geographic range;
2. A minimum population estimate,
current and maximum net productivity
rate, and current population trend;
3. An estimate of the annual humancaused mortality and serious injury by
source and, for a strategic stock, other
factors that may be causing a decline or
impeding recovery;
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
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
or maintain its OSP’’ (16 U.S.C.
1362(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, which is intended
to compensate for uncertainty and
unknown estimation errors. This can be
written as:
PBR = (Nmin)(1⁄2 of the Rmax)(Fr)
Section 117 of the MMPA also
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, then 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(19).
Stock Assessment Report History for
the Southern Sea Otter in California
The southern sea otter SAR was last
revised in 2017. Because the southern
sea otter is listed as a threatened species
under the ESA, the stock is considered
strategic. Therefore, the Service reviews
the stock assessment annually. In 2018,
Service review concluded that revision
was not warranted because the status of
the stock had not changed, nor could it
be more accurately determined.
However, upon review in 2019, the
Service determined that revision was
warranted because the status of the
stock may be subject to change. The
range-wide population index (i.e.,
population level over a consecutive 3year period) reached the ESA threshold
(i.e., exceeding 3,090 animals) for
delisting consideration identified in the
Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan (U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service 2003). As a
result, the Service will initiate an ESA
status review to determine whether
delisting of the southern sea otter is
appropriate, which could result in a
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change to the status of the stock under
the MMPA.
Summary of Draft Revised Stock
Assessment Report for the Southern Sea
Otter in California
The following table summarizes some
of the information contained in the draft
revised southern sea otter SAR, which
includes 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 SAR, as
appropriate. We will publish a notice of
availability and summary of the final
SAR, including responses to submitted
comments.
SUMMARY—DRAFT REVISED STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORT, SOUTHERN SEA OTTER IN CALIFORNIA
Southern sea otter stock
NMIN
RMAX
2,986
0.06
0.1
9.24
San Nicolas Island ...............
Summary ..............................
95
3,081
0.13
............
0.1
............
0.62
9
References
In accordance with the MMPA, we
include in this notice a list of the
information sources and public reports
upon which we based the SAR:
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Annual estimated human-caused
mortality and serious injury
PBR
Mainland ...............................
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.
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FR
Figures by specific source, where known, are provided in
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Available from NMFS, Southwest
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Carretta, J.V. 2001. Preliminary estimates of
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2015.
Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis)
5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation.
Ventura, California. 42 pp.
Valentine, K., D.A. Duffield, L.E. Patrick, D.R.
Hatch, V.L. Butler, R.L. Hall, and N.
Lehman. 2008. Ancient DNA reveals
genotypic relationships among Oregon
populations of the sea otter (Enhydra
lutris). Conservation Genetics 9:933–938.
Vezie, C., J. Rapala, J. Vaitomaa, J. Seitsonen,
and K. Sivonen. 2002. Effect of nitrogen
and phosphorus on growth of toxic and
nontoxic Microcystis strains and on
intracellular microcystin concentrations.
Microbial Ecology 43:443–454.
Walther, G.-R, E. Post, P. Convey, A. Menzel,
C. Parmesank, T.J.C. Beebee, J.-M.
Fromentin, O. Hoegh-Guldberg, and F.
Bairlein. 2002. Ecological responses to
recent climate change. Nature 416:389–
395.
Wendell, F.E., R.A. Hardy, and J.A. Ames.
1986. An assessment of the accidental take
of sea otters, Enhydra lutris, in gill and
trammel nets. California Department of
Fish and Game, Mar. Res. Tech. Rep. No.
54, 31 pp.
Wilson, D.E., M.A. Bogan, R.L. Brownell, Jr.,
A.M. Burdin, and M.K. Maminov. 1991.
Geographic variation in sea otters, Enhydra
lutris. Journal of Mammalogy 72:22–36.
Authority
The authority for this action is the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972,
as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et al.)
Dated: January 8, 2020.
Aurelia Skipwith,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–01326 Filed 1–24–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
[LLORB07000.L17110000.AL0000.
LXSSH1060000.20X.HAG 20–0028]
Notice of Subcommittee Meeting for
the Steens Mountain Advisory Council,
Oregon
AGENCY:
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:54 Jan 24, 2020
Jkt 250001
ACTION:
Notice of public meeting.
In accordance with the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory
Committee Act of 1972, the U.S.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Land Management’s (BLM) Steens
Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC)
Recreation and Visitor Use
Subcommittee will meet as indicated
below.
SUMMARY:
The Recreation and Visitor Use
Subcommittee of the SMAC will hold a
public meeting on Thursday, February
13, 2020, from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. and on
Friday, February 14, 2020, from 8:30
a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden
Inn in Bend, Oregon.
ADDRESSES: The Hilton Garden Inn is
located at 425 SW Bluff Drive, Bend,
Oregon 97702.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara
Thissell, Public Affairs Specialist, 28910
Highway 20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738;
telephone: 541–573–4519; email:
tthissell@blm.gov. Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
contact Ms. Thissell during normal
business hours. The FRS is available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a
message or question. You will receive a
reply during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
SMAC was established on August 14,
2001, pursuant to the Steens Mountain
Cooperative Management and Protection
Act of 2000 (Steens Act) (Pub. L. 106–
399). The SMAC provides representative
advice to the BLM regarding new and
unique approaches to management of
the land within the bounds of the Steens
Mountain Cooperative Management and
Protection Area (CMPA), recommends
cooperative programs and incentives for
landscape management that meet
human needs, and advises the BLM on
maintenance and improvement of the
ecological and economic integrity of the
area.
The SMAC’s Recreation and Visitor
Use Subcommittee was established in
2019 and serves to research, discuss,
and evaluate any recreation and visitor
use issue in the Steens Mountain
CMPA. Issues could relate to parking,
hiking, motorized or non-motorized use,
signage, interpretation, private to public
land access by way of an easement or
other agreement, or purchase or
exchange of public and private land for
improved recreation opportunities and
contiguous landscape. The
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 4703
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4699
Subcommittee reviews all aspects of any
recreation or visitor use issue,
formulates suggestions for remedy, and
proposes those solutions to the entire
SMAC for further discussion and
possible recommendation to the BLM.
The February 13 agenda includes an
update from the Designated Federal
Official, review of 2019 recreation
statistics for the Steens Mountain area,
discussion on the SMAC’s definition of
‘‘reasonable access’’ and constituent
feedback, and a discussion on recreation
and visitor access at Home Creek
Canyon.
The February 14 agenda includes a
presentation on Redband trout
populations and recreational fishing in
the Steens Mountain area, information
sharing regarding designated Wilderness
and Wilderness Study Areas, review of
sections of the Steens Mountain
Cooperative Management and Protection
Act of 2000 referencing economics, and
an opportunity for subcommittee
members to share information from their
constituents and present research
members have done between meetings.
Any other matters that may reasonably
come before the subcommittee may also
be included.
Public comment periods are available
on Thursday, February 13, at 3:30 p.m.,
and on Friday, February 14, at 11:15
a.m. Unless otherwise approved by the
subcommittee chair, the public
comment period will last no longer than
30 minutes. Each speaker may address
the subcommittee for a maximum of 5
minutes. Sessions may end early if all
business items are accomplished ahead
of schedule or maybe extended if
discussions warrant more time. All
meetings are open to the public in their
entirety.
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comments, please 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.
Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–2.
Jeff Rose,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 2020–01291 Filed 1–24–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–33–P
E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM
27JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4696-4699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01326]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-ES-2019-N045; FF08EVEN00-FXES111608MSSO0]
Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Report for the
Southern Sea Otter in California
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, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have developed a
draft revised marine mammal stock assessment report for the southern
sea otter stock in the State of California. We now make the draft stock
assessment report available for public review and comment.
DATES: We will consider comments that are received or postmarked on or
before April 27, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Document availability: If you wish to review the draft
revised stock assessment report for southern sea otter, you may obtain
a copy from our website at https://www.fws.gov/ventura. Alternatively,
you may contact the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493 Portola
Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003 (telephone: 805-644-1766).
Comment submission: If you wish to comment on the draft stock
assessment report, you may submit your comments in writing by any one
of the following methods:
U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the above address;
Hand delivery: Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office at the
above address;
Fax: 805-644-3958; or
Email: [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lilian Carswell, at the above street
address, by telephone (805-677-3325), or by email
([email protected]). Persons who use a telecommunications device
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We announce the availability for review and
comment of a draft revised marine mammal stock assessment report (SAR)
for the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) stock in the State
of California.
Background
Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA;
16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and its implementing regulations in the Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 18, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) regulates the taking; import; and, under
certain conditions, possession; transportation; purchasing; selling;
and offering for sale, purchase, or export, of marine mammals. One of
the MMPA's goals 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(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. A
SAR must be based on the best scientific information available;
therefore, we prepare it in consultation with regional scientific
review groups established under section 117(d) of the MMPA. Each SAR
must include:
1. A description of the stock and its geographic range;
2. A minimum population estimate, current and maximum net
productivity rate, and current population trend;
3. An estimate of the annual human-caused mortality and serious
injury by source and, for a strategic stock, other factors that may be
causing a decline or impeding recovery;
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(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, which is intended to compensate
for uncertainty and unknown estimation errors. This can be written as:
PBR = (Nmin)(\1/2\ of the Rmax)(Fr)
Section 117 of the MMPA also 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,
then 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(19).
Stock Assessment Report History for the Southern Sea Otter in
California
The southern sea otter SAR was last revised in 2017. Because the
southern sea otter is listed as a threatened species under the ESA, the
stock is considered strategic. Therefore, the Service reviews the stock
assessment annually. In 2018, Service review concluded that revision
was not warranted because the status of the stock had not changed, nor
could it be more accurately determined. However, upon review in 2019,
the Service determined that revision was warranted because the status
of the stock may be subject to change. The range-wide population index
(i.e., population level over a consecutive 3-year period) reached the
ESA threshold (i.e., exceeding 3,090 animals) for delisting
consideration identified in the Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan (U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service 2003). As a result, the Service will initiate
an ESA status review to determine whether delisting of the southern sea
otter is appropriate, which could result in a
[[Page 4697]]
change to the status of the stock under the MMPA.
Summary of Draft Revised Stock Assessment Report for the Southern Sea
Otter in California
The following table summarizes some of the information contained in
the draft revised southern sea otter SAR, which includes 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 SAR, as appropriate. We will publish a notice
of availability and summary of the final SAR, including responses to
submitted comments.
Summary--Draft Revised Stock Assessment Report, Southern Sea Otter in California
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual estimated human-
Southern sea otter stock NMIN RMAX FR PBR caused mortality and Stock status
serious injury
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mainland....................... 2,986 0.06 0.1 9.24 Figures by specific Strategic.
source, where known,
are provided in the
SAR.
San Nicolas Island............. 95 0.13 0.1 0.62
Summary........................ 3,081 ........ ....... 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 the MMPA, we include in this notice a list of
the information sources and public reports upon which we based the SAR:
Babcock, E.A., E.K. Pikitch, and C.G. Hudon. 2003. How much observer
coverage is enough to adequately estimate bycatch? Pew Institute for
Ocean Science and Oceana, 36 pp.
Bacon, C.E. 1994. An ecotoxicological comparison of organic
contaminants in sea otters among populations in California and
Alaska. M.S. thesis, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Bacon, C.E., W.M. Jarman, J.A. Estes, M. Simon, and R.J. Norstrom.
1999. Comparison of organochlorine contaminants among sea otter
(Enhydra lutris) populations in California and Alaska. Environ.
Toxicology and Chemistry 18:452-458.
Barlow, J. 1989. Estimating sample size required to monitor marine
mammal mortality in California gillnet fisheries. Southwest
Fisheries Science Center Administrative Report LJ-89-08, 8 pp.
Bentall, G.B. 2005. Morphological and behavioral correlates of
population status in the southern sea otter: A comparative study
between central California and San Nicolas Island. Master's Thesis,
University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, unpublished.
Burge, C.A., C.M. Eakin, C.S. Friedman, B. Froelich, P.K.
Hershberger, E.E. Hofmann, L.E. Petes, K.C. Prager, E. Weil, B.L.
Willis, SE Ford, and C.D. Harvell. 2014. Climate change influences
on marine infectious diseases: Implications for management and
society. Annual Review of Marine Science 6:249-277.
Bryant, H.C. 1915. Sea otters near Point Sur. California Department
of Fish and Game Bulletin. 1:134-135.
Cameron, G.A. and K.A. Forney. 2000. Preliminary estimates of
cetacean mortality in California/Oregon gillnet fisheries for 1999.
Paper SC/S2/O24 presented to the International Whaling Commission,
2000 (unpublished), 12 pp. Available from NMFS, Southwest Fisheries
Science Center, P.O. Box 271, La Jolla, CA 92038.
Carretta, J.V. 2001. Preliminary estimates of cetacean mortality in
California gillnet fisheries for 2000. Paper SC/53/SM9 presented to
the International Whaling Commission, 2001 (unpublished), 21 pp.
Available from NMFS, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, P.O. Box
271, La Jolla, CA 92038.
Chinn, S.M., M.A. Miller, M.T. Tinker, M.M. Staedler, F.I. Batac,
E.M. Dodd, L.A. Henkel. 2016. The high cost of motherhood: End-
lactation syndrome in southern sea otters. Journal of Wildlife
Diseases 52:307-318. doi: 10.7589/2015-06-158.
Conrad, P.A., M.A. Miller, C. Kreuder, E.R. James, J. Mazet, H.
Dabritz, D.A. Jessup, F. Gulland, M.E. Grigg. 2005. Transmission of
toxoplasma: Clues from the study of sea otters as sentinels of
Toxoplasma gondii flow into the marine environment. International
Journal for Parasitology 35:1155-1168.
Cronin, M.A., J. Bodkin, B. Bellachey, J.A. Estes, and J.C. Patton.
1996. Mitochondrial-DNA variation among subspecies and populations
of sea otters (Enhydra lutris). Journal of Mammalogy 77:546-557.
Dubey, J.P., N.L. Miller, and D.K. Frenkel. 1970. Toxoplasma gondii
life cycle in cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association 157:1767-1770.
Estes, J.A. 1990. Growth and equilibrium in sea otter populations.
J. Anim. Ecol. 59:385-401.
Estes, J.A. and R.J. Jameson. 1988. A double-survey estimate for
sighting probability of sea otters in California. Journal of
Wildlife Management 52:70-76.
Estes, J.A., B.B. Hatfield, K. Ralls, and J. Ames. 2003. Causes of
mortality in California sea otters during periods of population
growth and decline. Marine Mammal Science 19:198-216.
Forney, K.A., S.R. Benson, and G.A. Cameron. 2001. Central
California gill net effort and bycatch of sensitive species, 1990-
1998. Pages 141-160 in Seabird Bycatch: Trends, Roadblocks, and
Solutions, E.F. Melvin and J.K. Parrish, eds. Proceedings of an
International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, University of
Alaska Sea Grant, Fairbanks, Alaska, 212 pp.
Gazeau, F., L.M. Parker, S. Comeau, J.-P. Gattuso, W.A. O'Connor, S.
Martin, H.-O. P[ouml]rtner, and P.M. Ross. 2013. Impacts of ocean
acidification on marine shelled molluscs. Marine Biology 160:2207-
2245.
Gerber, L.R., M.T. Tinker, D.F. Doak, J.A. Estes, and D.A. Jessup.
2004. Mortality sensitivity in life-stage simulation analysis: A
case study of southern sea otters. Ecological Applications 14:1554-
1565.
Hatfield, B.B. and J.A. Estes. 2000. Preliminary results of an
evaluation of the potential threat to sea otters posed by the
nearshore finfish trap fishery. Unpublished, 6 pp. + appendices.
Hatfield, B.B., J.L. Yee, M.C. Kenner, J.A. Tomoleoni, and M.T.
Tinker. 2018. California sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) census
results, spring 2018. U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 1097. 10
pp. https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1097.
Hatfield, B.B., J.A. Ames, J.A. Estes, M.T. Tinker, A.B. Johnson,
M.M. Staedler, and M.D. Harris. 2011. Sea otter mortality in fish
and shellfish traps: Estimating potential impacts and exploring
possible solutions. Endangered Species Research 13:219-229.
Herrick, S.F. Jr. and D. Hanan. 1988. A review of California
entangling net fisheries, 1981-1986. National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Technical Memorandum. National Marine
Fisheries Service. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFC-108, 39 pp.
Jameson, R.J. 1989. Movements, home range,
[[Page 4698]]
and territories of male sea otters off central California. Marine
Mammal Science 5:159-172.
Jameson, R.J. and S. Jeffries. 1999. Results of the 1999 survey of
the Washington sea otter population. Unpublished report, 5 pp.
Jameson, R.J. and S. Jeffries. 2005. Results of the 2005 survey of
the reintroduced Washington sea otter population. Unpublished
report, 6 pp.
Jessup D.A., M.A. Miller, M. Harris, B.B. Hatfield, and J.A. Estes.
2004. The 2003 southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) unusual
mortality event: A preliminary report to NOAA and USFWS. Unpublished
report, 38 pp.
Johnson, C.K., M.T. Tinker, J.A. Estes, P.A. Conrad, M. Staedler,
M.A. Miller, D.A. Jessup and J.A.K. Mazet. 2009. Prey choice and
habitat use drive sea otter pathogen exposure in a resource-limited
coastal system. PNAS 106:2242-2247.
Kannan, K., E. Perrotta, and N.J. Thomas. 2006. Association between
perfluorinated compounds and pathological conditions in southern sea
otters. Environmental Science & Technology 40:4943-4948.
Kannan, K., E. Perrotta, N.J. Thomas, and K.M. Aldous. 2007. A
comparative analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and
polychlorinated biphenyls in southern sea otters that died of
infectious diseases and noninfectious causes. Archives of
Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 53:293-302.
Kannan K., K.S. Guruge, N.J. Thomas, S. Tanabe, J.P. Giesy. 1998.
Butyltin residues in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)
found dead along California coastal waters. Environmental Science
and Technology 32:1169-1175.
Kooyman, G.L. and D.P. Costa. 1979. Effects of oiling on temperature
regulation in sea otters. Yearly progress report, Outer Continental
Shelf Energy Assessment Program.
Kreuder, C., M.A. Miller, D.A. Jessup, L.J. Lowenstein, M.D. Harris,
J.A. Ames, T.E. Carpenter, P.A. Conrad, and J.A.K. Mazet. 2003.
Patterns of mortality in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)
from 1998-2001. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 39:495-509.
Kreuder, C., M.A. Miller, L.J. Lowenstine, P.A. Conrad, T.E.
Carpenter, D.A. Jessup, and J.A.K. Mazet. 2005. Evaluation of
cardiac lesions and risk factors associated with myocarditis and
dilated cardiomyopathy in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris
nereis). American Journal of Veterinary Research 66:289-299.
Kroeker, K.J., R.L. Kordas, R.N. Crim, and G.G. Singh. 2010. Meta-
analysis reveals negative yet variable effects of ocean
acidification on marine organisms. Ecology Letters 13:1419-1434.
Kudela, R.M., J.Q. Lane, W.P. Cochlan. 2008. The potential role of
anthropogenically derived nitrogen in the growth of harmful algae in
California, USA. Harmful Algae 8:103-110.
Kurihara, H. and Y. Shirayama. 2004. Effects of increased
atmospheric CO2 on sea urchin early development. Marine
Ecology Progress Series 274:161-169.
Kurihara, H., T. Asai, S. Kato, and A. Ishimatsu. 2008. Effects of
elevated pCO2 on early development in the mussel Mytilus
galloprovincialis. Aquatic Biology 4:225-233.
Lafferty, K.D. and M.T. Tinker. 2014. Sea otters are recolonizing
southern California in fits and starts. Ecosphere 5:50. https://dx.doi.org/10.1890/ES13-00394.1.
Laidre, K.L., R.J. Jameson, and D.P. DeMaster. 2001. An estimation
of carrying capacity for sea otters along the California coast.
Marine Mammal Science 17:294-309.
Larson, S., R. Jameson, J. Bodkin, M. Staedler, and P. Bentzen.
2002. Microsatellite DNA and mitochondrial DNA variation in remnant
and translocated sea otter (Enhydra lutris) populations. Journal of
Mammalogy 83:893-906.
Mayer, K.A., M.D. Dailey, and M.A. Miller. 2003. Helminth parasites
of the southern sea otter Enhydra lutris nereis in central
California: Abundance, distribution, and pathology. Diseases of
Aquatic Organisms 53:77-88.
Miller, M.A., M.E. Grigg, C. Kreuder, E.R. James, A.C. Melli, P.R.
Crosbie, D.A. Jessup, J.C. Boothroyd, D. Brownstein, and P.A.
Conrad. 2004. An unusual genotype of Toxoplasma gondii is common in
California sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) and is a cause of
mortality. International Journal for Parasitology 34:275-284.
Miller, M.A., I.A. Gardner, C. Kreuder, D.M. Paradies, K.R.
Worcester, D.A. Jessup, E. Dodd, M.D. Harris, J.A. Ames, A.E.
Packham, and P.A. Conrad. 2002. Coastal freshwater runoff is a risk
factor for Toxoplasma gondii infection of southern sea otters
(Enhydra lutris nereis). International Journal for Parasitology
32:997-1006.
Miller, M.A., W.A. Miller, P.A. Conrad, E.R. James, A.C. Melli, C.M.
Leutenegger, H.A. Dabritz, A.E. Packham, D. Paradies, M. Harris, J.
Ames, D.A. Jessup, K. Worcester, M.E. Grigg. 2008. Type X Toxoplasma
gondii in a wild mussel and terrestrial carnivores from coastal
California: New linkages between terrestrial mammals, runoff and
toxoplasmosis of sea otters. International Journal for Parasitology
38:1319-1328.
Miller, M.A., R.M. Kudela, A. Mekebri, D. Crane, S.C. Oates, M.T.
Tinker, M. Staedler, W.A. Miller, S. Toy-Choutka, C. Domink, D.
Hardin, G. Langlois, M. Murray, K. Ward and D.A. Jessup. 2010.
Evidence for a novel marine harmful algal bloom: Cyanotoxin
(Microcystin) transfer from land to sea otters. PLoS ONE 5:e12576.
Monson, D.H., J.A. Estes, J.L. Bodkin, and D.B. Siniff. 2000. Life
history plasticity and population regulation in sea otters. Oikos
90:457-468.
Mos, L. 2001. Domoic acid: A fascinating marine toxin. Environmental
Toxicology and Pharmacology 9:79-85.
Nakata, H., K. Kannan, L. Jing, N. Thomas, S. Tanabe, and J.P.
Giesy. 1998. Accumulation pattern of organochlorine pesticides and
polychlorinated biphenyls in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris
nereis) found stranded along coastal California, USA. Environmental
Pollution 103:45-53.
Ralls, K., T.C. Eagle, and D.B. Siniff. 1996. Movement and spatial
use patterns of California sea otters. Canadian Journal of Zoology
74:1841-1849.
Sanchez, M.S. 1992. Differentiation and variability of mitochondrial
DNA in three sea otter, Enhydra lutris, populations. M.S. Thesis,
University of California Santa Cruz.
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
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Authority
The authority for this action is the Marine Mammal Protection Act
of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et al.)
Dated: January 8, 2020.
Aurelia Skipwith,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-01326 Filed 1-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
