2019 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports, 46589-46598 [2020-16720]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 149 (Monday, August 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46589-46598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16720]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XV011]


2019 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports

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

ACTION: Notice; response to comments.

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SUMMARY: As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS 
has considered public comments for revisions of the 2019 marine mammal 
stock assessment reports (SARs). This notice announces the availability 
of 65 final 2019 SARs that were updated and finalized.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of SARs are available on the internet as 
regional compilations at the following address: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-region.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Zachary Schakner, Office of 
Science and Technology, 301-427-8106, [email protected]; Marcia 
Muto, 206-526-4026, [email protected], regarding Alaska regional 
stock assessments; Elizabeth Josephson, 508-495-2362, 
[email protected], regarding Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and 
Caribbean regional stock assessments; or Jim Carretta, 858-546-7171, 
[email protected], regarding Pacific regional stock assessments.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 117 of the 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, including the U.S. Exclusive 
Economic Zone. 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 
(M/SI) 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 or PBR (defined by the MMPA 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 optimum sustainable population (OSP)); (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 (ESA) within the foreseeable future; or (C) which is listed 
as a threatened species or endangered species under the ESA. NMFS and 
the FWS are required to revise a SAR if the status of the stock has 
changed or can be more accurately determined.
    Prior to public review, the updated SARs under NMFS' jurisdiction 
are peer-reviewed within NMFS Fisheries Science Centers and by members 
of

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three regional independent Scientific Review Groups (SRG), established 
under the MMPA to independently advise NMFS on information and 
uncertainties related to the status of marine mammals.
    The period covered by the 2019 SARs is 2013-2017. NMFS reviewed all 
strategic stock SARs and updated 65 SARs representing 76 stocks in the 
Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions to incorporate new information. 
The 2019 revisions consist primarily of updated or revised M/SI 
estimates, updated abundance estimates, including the application of an 
established capture-mark-recapture method to estimate the abundance of 
Gulf of Maine humpback whales, and the introduction of a new method for 
estimating cryptic mortality for Gulf of Maine humpback whales and 
North Atlantic right whales. One stock (Alaska ringed seal) changed in 
status from non-strategic to strategic, and four stocks (Western North 
Atlantic false killer whale and St. Andrew Bay, St. Joseph Bay, and 
West Bay common bottlenose dolphin stocks) changed in status from 
strategic to non-strategic. The revised draft reports were made 
available for public review and comment for 90 days (84 FR 65353, 
November 27, 2019). NMFS received comments on the draft 2019 SARs 
through February 27, 2020 and has revised the reports as necessary. 
This notice announces the availability of 65 final 2019 reports, which 
are available on NMFS' website (see ADDRESSES).

Comments and Responses

    NMFS received letters containing comments on the draft 2019 SARs 
from the Marine Mammal Commission (Commission); Department of Fisheries 
and Oceans Canada (DFO); three non-governmental organizations (Center 
for Biological Diversity (CBD), Maine Lobstermen's Association, Inc. 
(MLA), and Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC)); and three 
individuals. Responses to substantive comments are below; comments on 
actions not related to the SARs are not included. Comments suggesting 
editorial or minor clarifying changes were incorporated in the reports, 
but they are not included in the summary of comments and responses. In 
some cases, NMFS' responses state that comments would be considered or 
incorporated in future revisions of the SARs rather than being 
incorporated into the final 2019 SARs.

Comments on National Issues

Minimum Population Estimates
    Comment 1: The Commission reiterates their previous comment that 
section 117 of the MMPA requires inclusion of a minimum population 
estimate (Nmin), a key factor for effective management of marine mammal 
stocks using potential biological removal (PBR). Without an Nmin 
derived from recent data, PBR cannot be calculated and is considered 
``unknown,'' which is useless for management purposes. Including the 
revised 2019 draft SARs, an Nmin estimate is lacking for 86 of the 252 
identified stocks (or 34 percent). The Commission understands that a 
lack of resources (mainly access to vessel and aerial platforms from 
which surveys are conducted) is the primary hindrance to full 
assessment of all stocks. Nevertheless, the lack of data for over one 
third of the stocks recognized by NMFS is a serious shortcoming in 
meeting statutory obligations. The Commission appreciates the efforts 
NMFS has made to address this shortcoming by setting priorities across 
regions, coordinating requests for vessel time, and maximizing the data 
collected during these surveys (e.g., Ballance et al. 2017). The 
Commission reiterates its recommendation that NMFS continue its efforts 
to prioritize and coordinate requests to secure the necessary survey 
resources across regions. In addition to these internal efforts, the 
Commission acknowledges and encourages NMFS' continued engagement and 
collaboration with other Federal agencies that also require basic 
information on marine mammal stocks, through programs like the Atlantic 
Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species and similar programs in 
the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific. Further, the Commission also 
reiterates its recommendation that these marine assessment programs 
continue to include appropriate personnel, logistical capability, and 
vessel time to allow for photo-identification, biopsy sampling, 
satellite tagging and other efforts to augment and increase the value 
of the core line-transect survey data collected. These additional 
efforts will assist in delineating stock structure, confirming at-sea 
identification of cryptic species, and furthering understanding of 
marine mammal distribution, habitat use, and behavior, all of which are 
important for reaching the overall management goals of NMFS under the 
MMPA.
    Response: We acknowledge the Commission's comment and will continue 
to address outdated Nmin estimates, as resources allow.
    Humpback Whale Stocks
    Comment 2: CBD and WDC comment that revisions to humpback whale 
stocks that would make them consistent with the 2016 rule listing 
distinct population segments (DPSs) are long overdue. They note the 
NMFS Procedure for ``Reviewing and Designating Stocks and Issuing Stock 
Assessment Reports under the Marine Mammal Protection Act'' says that a 
stock ``might be considered a high priority for possible revision if, 
for example: a. DPSs for the for the species to which the stock belongs 
have recently been recognized under the ESA, . . .'' CBD-WDC state that 
the California/Oregon/Washington humpback whale stock should be revised 
in the 2019 SARs and not wait another year. The second example in the 
NMFS Procedure for why a stock revision may be a high priority is that 
``b. there are emerging and/or localized threats likely to affect the 
stock,'' which applies to the humpback whales off the U.S. West Coast 
because of entanglements. NMFS has documented ``a recent spike in 
entanglements, jumping from an annual average of 9 confirmed entangled 
large whales between 1982 and 2013, to an average of 41 confirmed 
entangled large whale reports between 2014 and 2017.'' CBD-WDC suggest 
that revising the stock definitions would better protect the humpback 
whale DPSs by lowering PBR.
    Response: As noted by CBD-WDC, NMFS recently finalized ``Procedural 
Directive 02-204-03: Reviewing and Designating Stocks and Issuing Stock 
Assessment Reports under the Marine Mammal Protection Act'' (NMFS 
2019). This Directive establishes a process for prioritizing stocks 
that should be considered for stock designation revisions, clarifies 
science and management roles in designating marine mammal stocks, 
emphasizes the definition of a stock as a management unit, provides 
guidance for determining whether multiple Demographically Independent 
Populations may be combined into one or more stocks for management 
purposes, and details the process by which stock designations are made 
and documented. The Directive also addresses how to designate stocks of 
marine mammals when DPSs of the species have been designated under the 
ESA.
    Procedural Directive 02-204-03 became effective after the 2019 SARs 
were drafted. As detailed in the Directive, revising stock designations 
involves significant effort and, in some cases, may be ongoing for more 
than one SAR revision cycle. Given this, and our mandate to review and, 
where appropriate, revise SARs annually for strategic stocks, including 
those listed under the ESA, we are not able to revise stock 
designations for humpback whales in the 2019 SARs. However, for the 
reasons put forth by CBD-WDC among

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others, we agree that humpback whale stocks, including the California/
Oregon/Washington humpback whale stock, should be considered for stock 
designation revisions and our intent is address potential revised 
humpback whale stock designations in future SARs.

Comments on Alaska Issues

Alaska Native Subsistence Takes
    Comment 3: The Commission reiterates that accurate information on 
the taking of marine mammals by Alaska Natives for subsistence and 
handicraft purposes is becoming increasingly important in light of the 
pace of climate changes in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Over the 
past decade, the Commission has repeatedly recommended that NMFS, in 
collaboration with its co-management partners, improve its monitoring 
and reporting of subsistence hunting in Alaska. While there have been 
improvements in the number of communities reporting take levels for 
some ice seals in the SARs in recent years, the majority of communities 
that hunt or may hunt ice seals are still unaccounted for. The 
Commission continues to recommend that NMFS pursue additional 
mechanisms to gather reliable information on the numbers of marine 
mammals taken for subsistence and creating handicrafts, including by 
securing adequate funding for comprehensive surveys of subsistence use 
and Native hunting effort. At a minimum, the Commission encourages NMFS 
to consider statistical methods (e.g., Nelson et al. 2019) that could 
provide a more complete assessment of take levels from subsistence 
hunting. Further, the Commission encourages NMFS to continue to provide 
updated information in the SARs whenever it becomes available, even if 
it pertains only to a limited number of villages or a subset of years. 
The Commission would welcome the opportunity to meet with NMFS to 
discuss progress, next steps, and any impediments to including more 
comprehensive data on take levels by Alaska Natives in future SARs.
    Response: We agree that it would be beneficial to have more 
comprehensive information about the harvest numbers of species of 
Alaska marine mammals taken for subsistence purposes and for creating 
handicrafts. We provide co-management funding to Alaska Native 
organizations under section 119 of the MMPA, in part to monitor 
harvests and report harvest numbers. Within the constraints of 
appropriations, we will continue to work with our co-management 
partners to monitor subsistence harvests and make that information 
publicly accessible as it becomes available. Additionally, our intent 
is to include average statewide subsistence harvest estimates, based on 
a recently published analysis (Nelson et al. 2019), in the draft 2020 
SARs for the ice-associated (spotted, bearded, ringed, and ribbon) 
seals.
Harbor Porpoise, Southeast Alaska
    Comment 4: The Commission appreciates that NMFS has prioritized 
research on, and monitoring of, the Southeast Alaska (SEAK) harbor 
porpoise stock, but believes that more effort is required in three 
areas: Management planning, fisheries monitoring, and mitigation. The 
Commission recommended in its comments on the draft 2018 SARs that, 
under the requirements of the MMPA, NMFS form a take reduction team 
(TRT) to address the high level of incidental take by SEAK gillnet 
fisheries from this stock relative to PBR. NMFS responded that the MMPA 
allows the agency to prioritize its TRT efforts based on availability 
of funding and [that it is] currently implementing several other TRTs 
that address higher priority stocks and fisheries where the Take 
Reduction Plans (TRPs) are not yet meeting MMPA goals (e.g., ESA-listed 
North Atlantic right whales, Hawaii pelagic false killer whales, and 
Northern and Southern North Carolina Estuarine System bottlenose 
dolphins). While the Commission is aware of this constraint and 
supports the allocation of funding to these TRTs as a priority, it 
notes that several other TRTs (Atlantic Trawl Gear, Harbor Porpoise 
(Atlantic), Pacific Offshore Cetacean, and Pelagic Longline) that were 
very active at times in the past are now meeting infrequently and often 
only via webinar, which suggests that funds might be available to 
establish a new TRT. The data reported in the draft 2019 SAR include a 
minimum estimated mean annual U.S. commercial fishery-related mortality 
and serious injury rate (34 porpoises) that exceeds the PBR (12) by 
nearly threefold. Given the small population size and an M/SI level 
that significantly exceeds the PBR for this stock, the Commission 
recommends that NMFS reconsider its funding priorities and establish a 
SEAK harbor porpoise TRT as part of the development of a take reduction 
plan to address bycatch of SEAK harbor porpoises by gillnet fisheries.
    Response: NMFS continues to collect and analyze information needed 
to assess the SEAK harbor porpoise stock and to understand the 
interactions with commercial fisheries. In 2019, we conducted a vessel 
survey to assess distribution and abundance of harbor porpoise in 
inland waters of Southeast Alaska, including areas not previously 
surveyed. We are also continuing to evaluate population structure of 
harbor porpoise using environmental DNA techniques. The results of the 
analyses could be used to support future take reduction efforts.
    We continue to implement several other TRTs that address higher 
priority stocks and fisheries where the TRPs are not yet meeting MMPA 
goals. Funds have been reallocated from TRTs that are no longer 
actively meeting (or meeting mainly via webinar), to support the 
continuing and emerging needs of the existing TRTs. In addition to 
convening meetings, TRT funds are used to support a variety of take 
reduction planning activities such as analyses to support rulemaking 
(e.g., economic analyses), stock assessments (e.g., abundance, 
distribution, genetics) and related analyses, increased or new observer 
coverage, fishing gear-related research, enforcement-related 
activities, and education and outreach. We continue to evaluate our 
priorities for convening TRTs and available funding on a regular basis.
    Comment 5: The Commission appreciates the important strides that 
NMFS has made in the last year with the 2019 harbor porpoise survey 
that covered much of the range of the SEAK stock. The DNA samples 
collected will help determine whether the SEAK stock is composed of one 
or two populations, and the new data will significantly improve our 
understanding of the status of the stock(s). However, substantial 
uncertainty remains concerning the magnitude of the bycatch threat. 
What is known comes from an incomplete bycatch survey conducted by 
fisheries observers in 2012 and 2013. The Commission has urged NMFS to 
increase observer coverage of gillnet fisheries in Alaska, but so far, 
to little effect, primarily because priority shifts by NMFS defunded 
the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program, which produced the 2012-2013 
bycatch estimates. The Commission is encouraged by the 2019 survey, and 
the data it provided to inform abundance estimates, stock structure, 
and the development of a fisheries monitoring plan. The Commission 
recommends that data collected during these surveys, along with fishing 
effort data, be used to identify areas for timely implementation of a 
fisheries observer program, in coordination with the State of Alaska. 
The fisheries of most interest and concern are those with the greatest

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overlap between gillnets and harbor porpoises in Southeast Alaska.
    Response: We are continuing to review the levels of harbor porpoise 
serious injury and mortality in Southeast Alaska, the new information 
on harbor porpoise abundance and stock structure, and information on 
the commercial fishery to evaluate whether and, if so, how best to 
implement a fishery observer program in Southeast Alaska.
    Comment 6: The Commission notes that NMFS, in its response to the 
Commission's 2018 letter, pointed out that TRTs require a minimum 
amount of data and analyses to support TRT deliberations, and that it 
was working to gather the requisite data and analyses. The Commission 
recommends that NMFS provide a timeline for acquiring these data and 
analyses and an anticipated date for the initiation of a SEAK harbor 
porpoise TRT. The Commission recognizes that NMFS may lack the data and 
analyses typically needed to support a new TRT. However, the problem of 
harbor porpoise entanglement in gillnets is common and well-studied in 
many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, and it is well established that 
gillnet fisheries often represent a significant threat to harbor 
porpoise populations (see references in Reeves et al. 2013). It is 
widely recognized that wherever harbor porpoises and such fisheries co-
occur, there will be entanglements. The use of pingers to deter harbor 
porpoises from gillnets has been widely implemented, in most cases with 
considerable success (e.g., Kraus et al. 1997, Gearin et al. 1999, 
Trippel et al. 1999, G[ouml]nener & Bilgin 2009, Carlstr[ouml]m et al. 
2009, Dawson et al. 2013, Orphanides and Palka 2013, Larsen and Eigaard 
2014, Zaharieva et al. 2019). Only in a few cases were pingers found to 
be ineffective at reducing harbor porpoise bycatch in gillnets. In some 
fisheries with harbor porpoise bycatch, the use of pingers is mandatory 
(e.g., New England and throughout the European Union). Thus, experience 
throughout the species' range suggests that where gillnets are used 
bycatch is to be expected, and the use of pingers will likely reduce 
the bycatch rate significantly. Therefore, in the absence of TRT-
mediated development of a take reduction plan, the Commission 
recommends that NMFS adopt a parsimonious approach and initiate the 
necessary information gathering and consultation necessary to 
promulgate regulations that would require the use of pingers by SEAK 
gillnet fisheries.
    Response: We recognize that pingers have been used successfully to 
reduce harbor porpoise bycatch in many fisheries throughout the 
species' range. However, because pingers have not been effective 
everywhere they have been used, we need to be careful and thoughtful 
about requiring their use in any particular fishery.
Beluga Whale, Cook Inlet
    Comment 7: CBD-WDC note that NMFS released a report with a new 
abundance estimate for Cook Inlet beluga whales dated December 2019. 
The report reveals that the population is ``estimated to be smaller and 
declining more quickly than previously thought.'' In the report, NMFS 
estimates that the population contains only 279 individual whales and 
is declining at a rate of roughly -2.3 percent per year, a 
significantly faster rate of decline than the prior estimate of -0.5 
percent per year reflected in the draft Cook Inlet beluga whale SAR. 
With this ``new, more reliable methodology'' and ``more accurate'' 
approach, NMFS has also revised the 2016 abundance estimate, which it 
now states was likely around 293 animals rather than 328. CBD-WDC 
recommend that NMFS revise the Cook Inlet beluga whale SAR to reflect 
this updated information, as well as revise the PBR accordingly. CBD-
WDC question the validity of any value of PBR other than zero for this 
species, given this small, vulnerable population's critically-imperiled 
status and sharply declining population.
    Response: The revised abundance estimates and trend for the Cook 
Inlet beluga whale population, released in December 2019 (Wade et al. 
2019), and revised estimates of minimum abundance and PBR will be 
reflected in the draft 2020 SAR.
    An underlying assumption in the application of the PBR equation is 
that marine mammal stocks exhibit certain population dynamics. 
Specifically, it is assumed that a depleted stock will naturally grow 
toward OSP if sources of potential mortality are controlled. If, for 
unknown reasons, a stock's population dynamics do not conform to the 
underlying model for calculating PBR, NMFS' Guidelines for Assessing 
Marine Mammal Stocks (NMFS 2016) instruct SAR authors to calculate a 
PBR but to qualify it in the SAR.
    In the 2019 SAR, the Cook Inlet beluga whale PBR is calculated 
using the most conservative recovery factor of 0.1, resulting in an 
estimate of approximately one whale every two years. The ``Status of 
Stock'' section describes how the depleted Cook Inlet beluga whale 
stock does not conform to the expected population dynamics assumed in 
the application of the PBR equation. However, it also notes that 
although there is currently no known direct human-caused mortality of 
the stock, even if the PBR level were taken, this would have little 
consequence on the overall population trend given the unexplained lack 
of increase.
Humpback Whale, Western North Pacific
    Comment 8: CBD-WDC suggest that the Western North Pacific humpback 
whale SAR include conclusions from the new research from NMFS regarding 
humpback whales breeding in the Mariana Archipelago. Scientists learned 
that humpback whales do not pass through the Marianas on their way to 
other breeding areas, but instead are using these areas to mate and 
give birth.
    Response: See response to Comment 2. Our intent is to consider this 
information in future SARs.

Comments on Atlantic Issues

Estimating Cryptic Mortality, Gulf of Maine Humpback Whales and North 
Atlantic Right Whales
    Comment 9: The Commission is encouraged to see NMFS considering an 
approach for estimating cryptic mortality and incorporating the caveat 
within the ``Status of the Stock'' section of the SARs that, for 
example, observed M/SI estimates may account for only 20 percent of 
total estimated mortality for the Gulf of Maine stock of humpback 
whales. The Commission commends the agency's efforts to develop methods 
for estimating undetected mortality and its recognition that mortality 
estimates consisting only of observed deaths are biased low, a bias 
that all too frequently affects the assessed status of the stock. 
However, the Commission recommends that NMFS explain its methodology 
and reasoning in a peer-reviewed publication prior to including 
estimates of cryptic mortality in the SARs. The Commission also 
encourages NMFS to continue developing ways to summarize the 
uncertainties underlying M/SI data after discussions with the Atlantic 
Large Whale TRT and peer review.
    Response: The topic of cryptic mortality is one that the agency has 
been advancing through constructive feedback with the Commission, the 
Atlantic SRG, and many partners over the past several years. For the 
Atlantic region, cryptic mortality was first introduced in the 2018 
North Atlantic right whale (NARW) SAR. Based on feedback, the methods 
by which estimates were generated were expanded in the NARW SAR and 
added to the Gulf of Maine humpback whale SAR with the addition of 
annual mark-

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recapture based population estimates. While the methods behind the 
point estimates were fully explained in the SAR, the agency has not 
attributed cryptic mortality estimates to a cause that might have 
management implications. The agency has sought guidance on this issue. 
Constructive dialogue occurred at the February 2020 Atlantic SRG 
meeting that resulted in an Atlantic SRG recommendation to NMFS that 
will be considered for the 2020 draft SAR, including a protocol for 
apportioning cryptic mortality estimates to potential anthropogenic 
sources, and a publication strategy to support the estimates. The 
agency feels it is appropriate to document the advancing approach of 
applying cryptic mortality in each year's SAR (conceptual introduction 
2018, methodological expansion 2019, and addition of another species, 
management application, and supporting publication in 2020) to give 
stakeholders information about how the science is evolving, and early 
warnings of additional potential impacts to industry.
North Atlantic Right Whales
    Comment 10: CBD-WDC reiterate that NMFS continues to rely on 
historic sightings data in the NARW report section on ``Stock 
Definition and Range,'' and suggest that this section include the 
significant changes in right whale distribution that have occurred 
since 2010, including the recent sightings of NARW#3845 (Mogul). CBD-
WDC point out that NMFS continues to reference the sightings south of 
Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard as a ``late winter use'' when the 
agency declared Dynamic Management Areas in this region in nearly all 
months of 2019.
    Response: We added the following text in the final 2019 report to 
make the changes in ranges more prominent: ``An important shift in 
habitat use patterns in 2010 was highlighted in an analysis of right 
whale acoustic presence along the U.S. Eastern seaboard from 2004 to 
2014 (Davis et al. 2017). This shift was also reflected in visual 
survey data in the greater Gulf of Maine region.'' Wanderings of 
NARW#3845 (Mogul) were documented in 2018, outside the period of this 
report (2013-2017).
    Comment 11: MLA recommends the ``Stock Definition and Range'' 
section of the NARW report reflect there are more than seven areas that 
have been identified where right whales are known to aggregate 
seasonally, which now include Nantucket Shoals and the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence. They suggest it would be more informative and understandable 
to readers if these recently identified seasonal aggregation areas were 
included in the same sentence with the seven previously known areas and 
not discussed separately in the SAR.
    Response: Our intent is to address this issue in the 2020 SAR in 
such as manner as to reflect changes in our understanding of how right 
whales are using their habitat, moving away from the identification of 
individual high-use areas and focusing more on the broad-scale nature 
of whale presence.
    Comment 12: CBD-WDC comment it is unclear how the Pace et al. 
(2017) model was used to determine a best available population size of 
428 individuals for 2018 when the 2019 North Atlantic Right Whale 
Consortium Report Card determined the best estimate for the end of 2018 
was 409 individuals, reportedly using the same model for the same year.
    Response: The estimate produced by the Pace et al. (2017) model, 
presented at the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, is 428. The 
Consortium ``alters'' the methods of Pace et al. 2017, to subtract 
additional mortality that occurred after the endpoint for the model 
time frame for which the point estimate of 428 was generated. Because 
the Pace et al. (2017) method estimates all mortality, not just 
observed, the agency (through discussions with the Atlantic SRG) 
concluded it is only appropriate for the SAR to report the un-altered 
output of the Pace et al. (2017) model.
    Comment 13: CBD-WDC reiterate their previous comment the ``Current 
Population Trend'' section of the NARW report should be updated given 
the recent precipitous decline in right whales. As NMFS declared an 
Unusual Mortality Event for this species since 2017, during which at 
least 30 right whale carcasses were documented, CBD-WDC question the 
only reference to a serious concern regarding carcass detection dates 
back to 2004 and 2005. They suggest retaining the figures in this 
section, abbreviating historic information, and using language taken 
from the Hayes et al. (2018) NOAA Tech Memo to more clearly assess the 
current status, including the recent population decline.
    Response: We agree and have removed the paragraph highlighted. We 
added a statement that changing distributions have exposed the 
population to new sources of anthropogenic mortality and cited the 
Hayes et al. (2018) Tech Memo. Also, Figure 4 in the final 2019 NARW 
report was generated from the 2018 Tech Memo as additional background 
support for this issue.
    Comment 14: CBD-WDC appreciate the updated information in the 
``Current and Maximum net Productivity Rates'' section of the NARW 
report but believe this section is not fully reflective of current 
trends. For example, the document states that Corkeron et al. (2018) 
found that the calf count rate increased at 1.98 percent when 
considering the years 1990-2016. We do not dispute these data but note 
that Kraus et al. (2016) found that calving rates since 2010 have 
declined by nearly 40 percent. CBD-WDC continue to request that NMFS 
limit the historic data and focus on the current status of the species.
    Response: The inclusion of data since 1990, in both the calving 
rate trend graph and in the discussion, is important in order to 
provide a longer-term context for the calving rate fluctuations. It 
highlights both the significance and contributing cause of the current 
decline.
    Comment 15: CBD-WDC continue to question the use of an Nmin of 428 
for NARW and whether any value of PBR other than zero is appropriate to 
use for this species when NMFS has determined the population is 
currently declining at 2.33 percent per year as a result of human 
causes.
    Response: We follow the Guideline for Assessing Marine Mammal 
Stocks (NMFS 2016) in the calculation of PBR.
    Comment 16: CBD-WDC reiterate that NMFS should consider limiting 
references to historic data and focus on more current impacts to the 
species. For example, the ``Background'' section of the NARW report 
states that 124 mortalities were recorded between 1970 and 2018, but 
the SAR does not indicate that nearly 40 percent (n=46) of those 
mortalities have occurred since 2012. Highlighting this variation is 
significant as it indicates that for 41 years, mortality rates averaged 
approximately two per year, but in the most recent 6 years, mortalities 
escalated to nearly eight per year, a 400 percent increase. CBD-WDC 
suggest NMFS re-examine its inclusion of the statement ``Young animals, 
ages 0-4 years, are apparently the most impacted portion of the 
population (Kraus 1990).'' These data are now decades old and more 
recent data should be evaluated to determine if it remains accurate.
    Response: NMFS has removed the paragraph with older background 
information from the final 2019 NARW report. NMFS does not dispute the 
numbers discussed in the comment but must consider that the numbers are 
a function of two variables: The total number of mortalities and the 
agency's ability to detect those mortalities. Given this, it is 
possible for actual mortality to be much higher in years where few were

[[Page 46594]]

detected. To that end, NMFS has applied the output of the Pace et al. 
(2017) model to generate actual annual mortality estimates in the graph 
provided (Figure 5 of the final 2019 NARW report), which give a good 
representation of the variation in the observed mortality as well as 
the estimated total mortality over the 2000-2017 timespan. Given these 
data, it is inappropriate to estimate mortality rates solely from 
observed data. Discussion of the 1970 to 2018 dataset was included 
because that range was analyzed by Sharp et al. (2019). We have removed 
the Kraus et al. (1990) statement about young animals.
    Comment 17: MLA comments the ``Background'' section of the NARW 
report is confusing as it contains potentially conflicting statements 
and fails to make clear the best available science. For example, in 
paragraph 2, with regard to human sources of mortality, there are two 
statements that imply different conclusions on the threats of 
entanglements and vessel strikes. The paragraph states, ``The principal 
factor believed to be retarding growth and recovery of the population 
is entanglement with fishing gear.'' It then cites data from 1970-2018, 
noting 124 recorded right whale mortalities of which ``26 (21.0 
percent) resulted from vessel strikes, 26 (21.0 percent) were related 
to entanglement in fishing gear, and 54 (43.5 percent) were of unknown 
cause.'' Based on the data presented in this paragraph, the reader is 
likely to conclude that the best available science from Sharp et al. 
(2019) indicate that incidents attributed to vessel strike and 
entanglements are equal and would question why only entanglement would 
be singled out as the principal factor retarding the species' recovery. 
In addition, the reference to Figure 4 at the end of this paragraph 
correctly indicates that entanglement injuries have been increasing in 
recent years, but it ignores the potential implications of the latter 
data points on vessel strikes in 2016 and 2017, when one and five 
vessel strikes were observed, respectively. MLA notes this spike in 
vessel strikes is also of grave concern for right whale recovery and 
should not be minimized to imply that this source of human caused 
mortality and serious injury is not of concern.
    Response: We note that Sharp et al. (2019) reviewed only detected 
mortalities, and only those in condition to be necropsied. Not only 
have numbers of detected carcasses been shown to be uncorrelated to 
actual mortality rates, but when serious injuries, which account for 
the bulk of the cryptic entanglements, are considered in addition to 
mortalities, entanglement far outweighs vessel strike as the principal 
factor retarding the species' recovery. We have added a clarifying 
sentence to the final 2019 NARW SAR.
    We appreciate the detailed review by MLA but are hesitant to place 
too much emphasis on small variations in a highly-volatile system. The 
2016 and 2017 data were included in the analysis of Figure 4, and the 
resulting trend line was flat (indicating no evidence of a trend, just 
volatile data). Should vessel strike mortality occur at higher rates in 
the coming years (as observed in 2019), it may be possible a trend will 
emerge, but that is outside of the time period of the 2019 report.
    Comment 18: CBD-WDC continue to request NMFS consider sublethal 
effects of entanglement to North Atlantic right whales, which are known 
to have population-level impacts, as concluded by van der Hoop et al. 
(2017) and Pettis et al. (2017).
    Response: NMFS is working to quantify sublethal effects on right 
whales. The data presented in Figure 3 of the NARW report support the 
hypothesis that they are occurring. However, confounding ecosystem 
changes that began in 2010 are additionally playing a role.
    Comment 19: MLA notes the last sentence of the ``Fishery-Related 
Mortality and Serious Injury'' section of the NARW report states that 
the effectiveness of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan 
(ALWTRP) has yet to be evaluated. However, MLA has presented an 
analysis of NOAA's entanglement data to the agency which shows that 
entanglement cases attributed to the U.S. lobster fishery since the 
implementation of major modifications to the ALWTRP in 2009 and 2014 
have declined by 89 percent since 2010 (from nine cases to only one), 
while entanglement cases attributed to gillnet or netting (unassigned 
by country) have nearly doubled (from four cases to seven). These data 
reflect the best available science on entanglement incidents in these 
fisheries and are used to calculate PBR. While these data do not 
account for entanglements that could not be traced to a fishery, they 
show a clear trend in known cases before 2010 when entanglements were 
regularly observed in U.S. lobster gear, and after 2010 when 
entanglements in U.S. lobster gear have become rare. MLA emphasizes 
these data are highly relevant and should be included in the report.
    Response: As raised in the comment, the source of entanglement for 
the majority of cases goes undetermined. Because the mortalities with 
known causes are less than one-third of the estimated mortalities, 
making judgments based on these is not precautionary when other 
evidence such as the large number of injuries related to entanglement 
mortalities speaks to the seriousness of the entanglement problem. 
Specifically, the frequency of non-lethal entanglement injuries within 
the population is approximately 26 percent per year. For the period 
cited (2009-2014), that would indicate more than 500 entanglements 
occurred for which no linkage was made, belying the caution needed in 
attributing mortality to a particular source with such limited samples.
    Comment 20: The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) 
requests a description of the process used to determine gear origin of 
entanglements and first sighting information for North Atlantic right 
whales. DFO notes it is unclear who is confirming the North Atlantic 
right whale entanglement numbers/information for Canada, because some 
of the numbers for mortalities appear to reflect data from DFO, others 
are known to have been established/announced without confirmation from 
Canada, and some are unclear regarding the source of confirmation.
    Response: NMFS has gear experts who conduct an analysis of gear 
type/origin when assigning to a particular fishery or country of 
origin. The data and deciding variables are shared with other experts 
for corroboration and cases are only closed when sufficient evidence is 
acquired. Gear information, when available, is provided by the NMFS 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO), the NMFS Southeast 
Regional Office, the Whale Release and Strandings group (WRS), Marine 
Animal Response Society (MARS), and DFO. NMFS considers any feedback it 
receives from these groups. First-sighting information is provided by 
entanglement and stranding networks and/or the population monitoring 
studies (New England Aquarium for North Atlantic right whales and 
Center for Coastal Studies for humpback whales).
    Comment 21: DFO asks how non-U.S. Canadian entanglements are 
verified. For example, the 2014 sighting of entanglement ``South of 
SPM'' is assigned as having a first sighting in Canada. DFO notes the 
entanglement in 2014 of NARW #1131 is stated as first spotted in the 
U.S. but marked as first spotted in Canada--XC (Unassigned 1st sight in 
CN), is not accurate. If #1131 was first spotted in the U.S. but is 
assumed to have Canadian gear, it

[[Page 46595]]

should be marked CN, but if first spotted in the U.S. and it is unclear 
where the gear is from, it should be marked XU (Unassigned 1st sight in 
U.S.). DFO points out there are a few cases of entanglements or 
mortalities spotted first in the U.S. but through some unknown process 
were later reported as Canadian origin, with no official confirmation 
or involvement from Canada. For example, NARW #3694 (2016) was an 
unconfirmed entanglement for two years and then announced as Canadian 
in 2018.
    Response: Canadian event data are provided to NMFS directly from 
MARS and WRS. Staff from MARS and WRS are consulted regarding 
determinations. Regarding NARW #1131, it was first sighted entangled at 
Latitude: 42.25770 N, Longitude: -66.21330 W, in the Northeast Channel, 
in Canadian waters, so XC is accurate. We have changed the location 
description to ``off Cape Sable Island, NS'' since that is the closest 
point of land instead of ``off Provincetown, MA.'' Gear from #3694 was 
identified as Canadian Snow Crab by GARFO, and this result was 
announced through an email to the Atlantic Large Whale TRT in April 
2018.
    Comment 22: MLA is concerned about the use of the ``first sight'' 
coding in Table 1 in the ``Other Mortality'' section of the NARW report 
when attributing M/SI to a country. Despite the clear language included 
in the SAR regarding the limitations of what this means, these data 
have proved confusing and have been misrepresented by NMFS in public 
presentations. In August 2019, and on many other occasions, NMFS staff 
have presented a graph of right whale serious injury and mortality 
based on whales first sighted in the U.S. as evidence necessitating 
additional whale conservation measures in the Northeast Trap/Pot 
fishery. The graph, entitled ``Right Whale Mortalities in U.S. 
Commercial Fisheries Still Exceed PBR,'' relies primarily on M/SI for 
right whales first sighted in the U.S. to make its case.
    MLA recommends NMFS consider dropping this ``first sight'' code 
under country and replace it with a generic code to indicate that these 
entanglements cannot be assigned to a country. Given that NMFS has 
already adopted an interim policy to attribute the responsibility for 
risk from these unknown cases equally between the U.S. and Canada, this 
presentation of the data is now irrelevant. Furthermore, a generic 
coding would be more informative and less likely to be misrepresented.
    Response: NMFS will consider this comment, as well as the 
evaluation from the November 2019 Center for Independent Experts review 
that included significant discussion of this topic, in consideration of 
changes for future SARs.
    Comment 23: CBD-WDC request NMFS reconsider its evaluation of the 
following cases:
     3/7/2013 #3692--The fluke of the whale was wounded by a 
vessel strike in 2013. In 2014, the right tip of the fluke had fallen 
off and the fluke wound had not healed. Lesions and an increased cyamid 
load were noted and the whale was reported as thin. There have been no 
additional resights since 2014;
     7/12/2013 #3123--Female whale previously seen every year 
since birth (2001) but last seen in 2013 after an ad hoc 
disentanglement;
     9/13/2015 #1306 (``Velcro'')--Based on the most recent 
sightings of this whale on August 16, 2016, there was no change in 
configuration of the entanglement. However, a marked decline in body 
condition was reported and the whale has not been resighted since 2016;
     9/13/2015 Unknown--Unknown right whale located on Roseway 
Basin on September 13, 2015. The whale was sighted with most of its 
left fluke lobe missing or composed of necrotic tissue and a 
significant cyamid load. There have been no resights of this whale. 
Given that NMFS itself has determined that ``there has been no 
confirmed case of natural mortality in adult right whales in the past 
several decades,'' we believe NMFS should include this whale as a 
Serious Injury with a value of 1 against PBR;
     6/18/2017 #3190--Carcass in GSL with suggested blunt force 
trauma. Since no whales are known to have died from natural causes, 
this whale should be prorated; and
     8/9/2017 #2123--Carcass was not necropsied but, according 
to NMFS, ``photos indicated multiple linear impressions suggesting 
entanglement'' and this case should at least be prorated.
    Response: NMFS thanks the reviewer for the detailed examination of 
individual cases. Several of the cases (3/7/2013 #3692 and 9/13/2015 
#1306), while confirmed as having anthropogenic injuries, have health 
status on par with the non-injured population, and we are unable at 
this time to classify them as more than likely to die as a result of 
the injury. The entanglement case from 7/12/2013 (#3123) was classified 
as a prorated injury (0.75) since it has not been confirmed that the 
gear has been shed. No expert agreement is available on the injured 
whale documented on 9/13/2015 so, while likely human-caused and 
definitely serious, we are unable to account for it. The cases from 6/
18/2017 (#3190) and 8/9/2017 (#2123) were both mortalities. NMFS 
currently has no mechanism to prorate carcasses, only injuries.
    Comment 24: MLA comments that NARW #1142, sighted on 04/01/2014, 
was downgraded to a non-serious injury at the October 2018 Atlantic 
Large Whale TRT meeting. NMFS should confirm the status of this right 
whale as either serious injury or non-serious injury. If this animal 
has been downgraded to NSI, MLA suggests this should be reflected in 
the PBR calculation and summary tables.
    Response: As was noted at the time, the determinations provided at 
the October 2018 Atlantic Large Whale TRT meeting were preliminary and 
subject to change. Additional sightings data indicate that #1142's 
health continued to decline, so it remains a serious injury.
    Comment 25: MLA notes for the right whale M/SI which occurred in 
2017, there are several cases in Table 1 in the ``Other Mortality'' 
section that were coded ``AE'' and ``CE'' in the ``gear type'' column, 
which do not match the associated codes in the legend. These codes 
appear to reference acute or chronic injuries, rather than the gear 
type associated with the case. Additionally, several of the 2017 vessel 
strikes have been erroneously assigned a gear type.
    Response: We have corrected those typos in the final 2019 NARW 
report.
    Comment 26: DFO comments it is unclear if there is a process to 
review entanglement injury scores if the same North Atlantic right 
whales are later observed as having shown signs of recovery. For 
example, once a serious injury is assigned, does it remain as a serious 
injury if the whale is later seen to have recovered or stabilized?
    Response: Protocols for serious injury determinations are provided 
in the annual M/SI report and in the NMFS Serious Injury Determination 
Procedural directive (NMFS 2012). If an animal is re-sighted in a 
condition that warrants reevaluating a previously published 
determination, it will be addressed.
    Comment 27: MLA notes the ``Status of Stock'' section of the NARW 
SAR states, ``The size of this stock is considered to be extremely low 
relative to OSP in the U.S.'' The MMPA was enacted to maintain marine 
mammal stocks at their OSP level and to restore depleted stocks. 
However, this critical metric is never quantified in the NARW SAR. 
Maine lobstermen constantly ask

[[Page 46596]]

about what is considered a sustainable population of right whales. MLA 
requests that OSP be quantified in the SAR and, if it cannot be, to 
explain why.
    Response: OSP is defined by MMPA section 3(9), with respect to any 
population stock, [as] the number of animals which will result in the 
maximum productivity of the population or the species, keeping in mind 
the carrying capacity [K] of the habitat and the health of the 
ecosystem of which they form a constituent element. (16 U.S.C. 
1362(3)(9)). OSP is further defined by Federal regulations (50 CFR 
216.3) as a population size that falls within a range from the 
population level of a given species or stock that is the largest 
supportable within the ecosystem to the population level that results 
in maximum net productivity. Maximum net productivity level (MNPL) is 
the greatest net annual increment in population numbers or biomass 
resulting from additions to the population due to reproduction and/or 
growth less losses due to natural mortality. We have provided a graph 
in the NARW SAR (Figure 2) that depicts right whale population growth 
during 1990-2017. That graph indicates that population growth is 
decelerating and is at levels clearly lower than MNPL and, by 
definition, less than OSP. Until population growth begins to 
decelerate--due to density dependence, not deaths caused by human 
activities--then it would be inaccurate to attempt to fit a growth 
curve and estimate OSP from the population data.
    For populations that are greatly reduced and endangered, it is best 
to consider the goals set forward in the ESA recovery plan documents. 
In this case, the 2005 North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Plan lists 
the following criteria that must be met before the species can be 
considered for reclassifying to ``threatened'' under the ESA: (1) The 
population ecology (range, distribution, age structure, and gender 
ratios, etc.) and vital rates (age-specific survival, age-specific 
reproduction, and lifetime reproductive success) of right whales are 
indicative of an increasing population; (2) The population has 
increased for 35 years at an average rate of increase equal to or 
greater than 2 percent per year; (3) None of the known threats to 
Northern right whales (summarized in the five listing factors) are 
known to limit the population's growth rate; and (4) Given current and 
projected threats and environmental conditions, the right whale 
population has no more than a 1-percent chance of quasi-extinction in 
100 years.
Humpback Whale, Gulf of Maine
    Comment 28: CBD-WDC request that NMFS consider providing a 
distributional map that more accurately represents the coast-wide 
distribution of the Gulf of Maine stock of humpback whales, including 
in near-shore waters of the mid-Atlantic.
    Response: The map is intended to represent the distribution of 
sightings that were used to generate past and current line-transect 
abundance estimates. We are in the process of converting all SAR maps 
to stock range depictions in future reports, but in the 2019 SAR, none 
of the stocks have range maps.
Undifferentiated Beaked Whales
    Comment 29: The Commission notes several SARs for beaked whales in 
the North Atlantic were updated in 2019. Although a PBR cannot be 
calculated for individual stocks, each of these SARs includes a best 
estimate of abundance, Nmin, and PBR calculated for ``undifferentiated 
beaked whales,'' which includes four species of Mesoplodon and Ziphius 
cavirostris. In many areas of the world where long-term studies occur, 
photo-identification of individuals indicates some level of site-
fidelity (e.g., Baird 2019, Dinis et al. 2017, Forney et al. 2017, 
McSweeney et al. 2007), suggesting that many of these species have 
complex population structure. Designating a single ``western North 
Atlantic stock'' for each species may not reflect their stock 
structure. This shortcoming is compounded when abundance and PBR are 
reported for ``undifferentiated beaked whales,'' combining all five 
species. While the Commission is encouraged to see NMFS making efforts 
to obtain accurate species identifications at sea (particularly through 
techniques such as eDNA, photo-documentation, unmanned aerial vehicles, 
and acoustic monitoring), the Commission recommends that NMFS 
reconsider whether including an abundance estimate, Nmin, and PBR for 
``undifferentiated beaked whales'' is meaningful for effective 
management of these stocks and revise the SARs accordingly if 
appropriate. Part of this evaluation should consider how the data are 
likely to be used by those who rely on and cite the information 
provided in the SARs.
    Response: Taking the Commission's recommendation, and that of the 
Atlantic SRG, we have reworked the abundance estimate groupings in the 
final 2019 SAR to be able to report separate estimates for Cuvier's 
beaked whales and Mesoplodon beaked whales. We will continue efforts to 
differentiate between the different species of Mesoplodon beaked whales 
to eventually report estimates for each species.

Comments on Pacific Issues

Southern Resident Killer Whales
    Comment 30: CBD-WDC appreciate the updates made to clarify 
differentiation of killer whale populations in the Eastern North 
Pacific and to align terms used in the SAR with those commonly used 
today (e.g., ecotypes). However, we note that despite the availability 
of significantly more information about coastal distribution and 
habitat use by the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) population, 
the paragraph in the ``Stock Definition and Geographic Range'' section 
describing coastal sightings and habitat of the SRKWs remains 
relatively unchanged since at least 2014, with the most recent citation 
from 2013. NMFS recently issued a proposed rule to revise the SRKW 
critical habitat designation to include coastal waters from Washington 
to Point Sur, California, and included a substantial summary of the 
data collected by the agency itself to support the revision.
    CBD-WDC request that NMFS update the paragraph describing coastal 
distribution and include the more recent references available in the 
Biological Report that accompanies the proposed critical habitat rule, 
including updated information from satellite tag deployments and more 
recent data from passive acoustic monitoring. Coastal habitat use is 
thoroughly described and confirmed in other NMFS SRKW material, 
including recent recovery documents and status updates, and we urge 
NMFS to describe the coastal range of the SRKWs with similar confidence 
in the SAR, instead of retaining the description of ``uncertain'' 
coastal habitat use from 2013.
    CBD-WDC also ask that NMFS note that while the SRKWs historically 
utilized the inland waters of Washington and southern British Columbia 
(the Salish Sea) in the late spring and summer, the seasonality of 
their presence is changing, and they have not been seen regularly or 
reliably during the summer in recent years. SRKW use of the Salish Sea 
has been highly variable since 2013, with a historically late return to 
the area in both 2018 and 2019. We recommend these recent observed 
changes in habitat use be included in the SRKW SAR.
    Response: NMFS has updated the geographic range language in the 
final 2019 SRKW SAR.

[[Page 46597]]

    Comment 31: CBD-WDC comment the Center for Whale Research (CWR) 
conducts the annual census for the SRKWs and typically provides updates 
on July 1st and December 31st of each year. As noted above, the changes 
in seasonal habitat use by the SRKWs has resulted in late returns to 
the Salish Sea and has complicated the census process, with some or all 
of the population no longer seen before the July 1st reporting 
deadline. While we appreciate established use of this system to achieve 
both estimates of abundance and a minimum population estimate, the 
increasing difficulty of completing a full census by July 1st 
introduces uncertainty as the status of all individuals in the 
population cannot be confirmed. For example, in 2019 none of the SRKW 
population had been seen in the Salish Sea by the July 1st census date, 
and while CWR noted three whales as ``missing'' following an initial 
encounter in July, sightings were so infrequent that those three 
whales--a matriarch and two adult males--were not officially declared 
deceased for over a month. Given the extremely small size of the SRKW 
population, unconfirmed status of even one individual is significant. 
CBD-WDC ask that NMFS update its protocol for including the most recent 
population estimate for SRKWs, since using census numbers from the 
previous summer (e.g., July 2018) reflects a population abundance more 
than a year and a half out of date, and the biannual census may no 
longer be an accurate count for the population. We urge NMFS to include 
the most recent full count from CWR in the SAR, regardless of the date 
that count was reached.
    As of fall of 2019, the SRKW population consisted of 71 individuals 
(not including two new calves born in December 2018 and May 2019, 
following established protocol of waiting one year before adding to the 
census count).
    Given the grave concerns for the survival of the SRKW population 
and their precipitous decline in recent years, CBD-WDC ask that NMFS 
clearly state the decline observed following the ``peak census count of 
99 animals in 1995,'' with average decrease per year, and specifically 
for the time period included in this SAR. Recent population viability 
assessments completed in both the U.S. and Canada should be used to 
describe the current population trend and future outlook.
    Response: The comment on the reporting period for annual census 
values was addressed in the response to public comments on final 2018 
SARs (84 FR 28489, June 19, 2019). The response is reiterated here: 
``The Center for Whale Research is under contract to NMFS and provides 
a population estimate on July 1st of each year. Since the beginning of 
the Center for Whale Research's study in 1976, July 1st was used as the 
date for the population estimate. Although additional effort in the 
fall months in recent years has occasionally allowed for a population 
estimate of December 31st, for some years sighting data of all three 
pods may not exist for most or all of the fall months. For the sake of 
consistency, we will continue to use the census data from July 1st. We 
do provide an update to the SRG at their annual meeting of any changes 
(births/deaths) since the SAR was filed.''
    We have added language to the final 2019 SRKW SAR noting the annual 
percent decline observed in the population since the peak count in 
1995.
    Comment 32: CBD-WDC comment that growth rates and productivity in 
different Resident killer whale populations may be affected by 
variability in diet, environmental conditions, and habitat range. 
Alaskan Resident killer whales consume Chinook salmon, similar to 
Northern and Southern Resident killer whales but appear to have a more 
diverse diet and benefit from larger and healthier salmon runs.
    Different environmental conditions, including prey availability, 
pollution, and disturbance levels may impact their resulting annual 
growth rate. To better reflect the habitat conditions and diet of SRKWs 
and the resulting maximum net productivity, CBD-WDC suggest that NMFS 
use the same growth rates and estimated net productivity rates as are 
used for Northern Resident killer whales. This population is closer to 
SRKWs in prey preference and availability as well as environmental 
conditions, and shares a similar history in exploitation for captive 
display. The maximum net productivity rate for Northern Resident killer 
whales has been updated and is now estimated to be 2.9 percent. Using 
the same rate for SRKWs yields a PBR of 0.11 (1 animal every 9 years) 
for a population level of 75 whales as included in the current version 
of the SAR; or a PBR of 0.10 (1 animal every 10 years) if the more 
recent population estimate of 71 is used.
    Response: This comment was addressed in the response to public 
comments on final 2018 Stock Assessments (84 FR 28489, June 19, 2019). 
We intend to evaluate other maximum rates of increase for killer whale 
populations and continue to consult with the Pacific SRG regarding 
potential changes to the SRKW SAR moving forward. We retain the 
currently-used Rmax value from the published study of Matkin et al. 
(2014) in the final 2019 SAR. The retention of the current Rmax value 
results in no appreciable difference in the calculated PBR compared 
with the Rmax value proposed by the commenter.
    Comment 33: CBD-WDC disagree with NMFS that the total non-fishery 
human-caused mortality for the SRKW stock for the past five years 
(2013-2017) is zero. NMFS notes in the SRKW SAR the death of a young 
adult male, L95, from a fungal infection introduced by a satellite tag. 
While the infection was determined to be the cause of death for L95, we 
argue that human activity exacerbated this infection and contributed to 
the introduction of the fungus into L95's bloodstream, hastening his 
death. Additionally, the death of J34, from blunt force trauma 
consistent with vessel strike (as noted in the SAR), should be included 
as another human-caused mortality and attributed as vessel strike 
mortality. Both NMFS and DFO have established this death as ``likely 
from ship impact'' in other material and communications, which should 
be reflected here for consistency. Of note, the DFO necropsy report was 
written in 2017, not 2019, and CDC-WDC recommend the citation be 
corrected. For a population in a highly vulnerable state, deaths with a 
high likelihood of being caused by human activity should be noted as 
such.
    Response: NMFS has updated the language in the final 2019 SRKW SAR 
to explicitly treat these deaths as human-caused. The necropsy report 
and expert panel review for L95 and necropsy report for J34 indicate 
human-related causes as likely factors in the mortality of these 
animals. The DFO necropsy report citation was updated in 2019 and the 
citation date is correct.
    Comment 34: CBD-WDC request that NMFS reflect the level of research 
that has established the preference for Chinook salmon of SRKWs and 
remove the phrase ``appears to be'' in noting that SRKWs are Chinook 
salmon specialists in the ``Habitat Issues'' section of the SRKW SAR. 
We also disagree with the inclusion of pink salmon in the list of other 
species in their diet, as the paper cited (Ford et al. 2016) finds that 
pink salmon are present in proportions of less than 0.01 in fecal 
samples from SRKWs. CBD-WDC suggest that NMFS include updated 
information on toxic contamination and potential impacts in this 
section.
    Response: We have updated diet language in the final 2019 SRKW SAR 
with findings from Ford et al. (2016),

[[Page 46598]]

who found that a majority of the diet comprised Chinook and Coho 
salmon, with seasonal differences in importance. We have also added 
information on toxic pollutants.
Humpback Whale, California/Oregon/Washington
    Comment 35: CBD-WDC comment that rather than referring to the stock 
structure guidance, the proposed text revision to the ``Stock 
Definition and Geographic Range'' section of the California/Oregon/
Washington humpback whale report makes the issue murky by saying the 
``relationship of MMPA stocks to ESA distinct population segments is 
complex.'' The NMFS Procedure, to the contrary, says that ``NMFS should 
align stock designations with DPSs established under the ESA unless 
there is compelling reason not to.'' Further, ``maintaining incongruent 
MMPA and ESA management units is neither practical nor implementable.'' 
The SARs' continued reliance on a California/Oregon/Washington humpback 
stock is confusing, but the relationship of MMPA stocks to ESA DPSs is 
not ``complex.'' CDC-WDC recommend NMFS revise the stocks to align with 
the DPSs.
    Response: See response to Comment 2.
    Comment 36: CBD-WDC comment that updates to the ``Ship Strikes'' 
section in the California/Oregon/Washington humpback whale SAR are 
helpful and request that Rockwood and Jahncke (2019) be cited at the 
end of that section.
    Response: We have added the unpublished Rockwood and Jahncke (2019) 
reference to the California/Oregon/Washington humpback whale SAR text.
    Comment 37: CBD-WDC suggest the ``Habitat Concerns'' section of the 
California/Oregon/Washington humpback whale SAR be updated with the 
recent scientific information in the humpback whale critical habitat 
proposed rule and biological report.
    Response: NMFS has added language to the California/Oregon/
Washington humpback whale 2019 final SAR to reflect the critical 
habitat proposed rule and habitat concerns.

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    Dated: July 28, 2020.
Chris Oliver,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-16720 Filed 7-31-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P