Draft 2020 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports, 78307-78311 [2020-26681]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 234 / Friday, December 4, 2020 / Notices
interested parties claimed interested
party status within the meaning of
section 771(9)(C) of the Act as U.S.
producers in the United States of the
domestic like product.4
On September 2, 2020, the domestic
interested parties filed timely and
adequate substantive responses, within
the deadline specified in 19 CFR
351.218(d)(3)(i).5 Commerce did not
receive substantive responses from any
respondent interested party with respect
to any of the AD Orders covered by
these sunset reviews. As a result,
pursuant to section 751(c)(3)(B) of the
Act and 19 CFR 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C)(2),
Commerce conducted expedited (120day) sunset reviews of the AD Orders.
Scope of the Orders
The merchandise covered by the AD
Orders is certain preserved mushrooms
from Chile, India, Indonesia, and China.
The subject merchandise is provided for
in subheadings 2003.10.0127,
2003.10.0131, 2003.10.0137,
2003.10.0143, 2003.10.0147,
2003.10.0153, and 0711.51.0000 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTSUS). Although
HTSUS subheadings are provided for
convenience and customs purposes, the
written description of the scope is
dispositive. A full description of the
scope of the AD Orders is contained in
the accompanying Issues and Decision
Memorandum.6
Analysis of Comments Received
A complete discussion of all issues
raised in these sunset reviews,
including the likelihood of continuation
Orders on Certain Preserved Mushrooms from
Chile, India, Indonesia, and the People’s Republic
of China—Domestic Interested Parties’ Notice of
Intent to Participate,’’ dated August 18, 2020 (Intent
to Participate).
4 See Intent to Participate at 3.
5 See Domestic Interested Party’s Letters, ‘‘FiveYear (Fourth Sunset) Review of Antidumping Duty
Order on Certain Preserved Mushrooms from
Chile—Domestic Interested Parties’ Substantive
Response to Notice of Initiation,’’ dated September
2, 2020; ‘‘Five-Year (Fourth Sunset) Review of the
Antidumping Duty Order on Certain Preserved
Mushrooms from India—Domestic Interested
Parties’ Substantive Response to Notice of
Initiation,’’ dated September 2, 2020; ‘‘Five-Year
(Fourth Sunset) Review of the Antidumping Duty
Order on Certain Preserved Mushrooms from
Indonesia—Domestic Interested Parties’ Substantive
Response to Notice of Initiation,’’ dated September
2, 2020; and ‘‘Five-Year (Sunset) Review of the
Antidumping Duty Order on Certain Preserved
Mushrooms from the People’s Republic of China—
Domestic Interested Parties’ Substantive Response
to Notice of Initiation,’’ dated September 2, 2020.
6 See Memorandum, ‘‘Issues and Decision
Memorandum for the Expedited Sunset Reviews of
the Antidumping Duty Orders on Certain Preserved
Mushrooms from Chile, India, Indonesia, and the
People’s Republic of China, ’’ dated concurrently
with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Issues and
Decision Memorandum).
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or recurrence of dumping in the event
of revocation of the AD Orders and the
magnitude of the margins likely to
prevail if the AD Orders were to be
revoked, is provided in the Issues and
Decision Memorandum. A list of the
topics discussed in the Issues and
Decision Memorandum is attached as an
appendix to this notice. The Issues and
Decision Memorandum is a public
document and is on file electronically
via Enforcement and Compliance’s
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Centralized Electronic Service System
(ACCESS). ACCESS is available to
registered users at https://
access.trade.gov. In addition, a complete
version of the Issues and Decision
Memorandum can be accessed directly
at https://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/.
The signed and electronic versions of
the Issues and Decision Memorandum
are identical in content.
Dated: November 30, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and
Compliance.
Final Results of Sunset Reviews
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Pursuant to sections 751(c)(1) and
752(c)(1) and (3) of the Act, Commerce
determines that revocation of the AD
Orders on mushrooms from Chile, India,
Indonesia, and China would be likely to
lead to continuation or recurrence of
dumping, and that the magnitude of the
dumping margins likely to prevail
would be weighted-average margins of
up to 148.51 percent for Chile, 243.87
percent for India, 16.24 percent for
Indonesia, and 198.63 percent for China.
Notification Regarding Administrative
Protective Orders
This notice also serves as the only
reminder to parties subject to
administrative protective order (APO) of
their responsibility concerning the
return or destruction of proprietary
information disclosed under APO in
accordance with 19 CFR 351.305.
Timely notification of the return or
destruction of APO materials, or
conversion to judicial protective orders,
is hereby requested. Failure to comply
with the regulations and terms of an
APO is a violation which is subject to
sanction.
Notification to Interested Parties
We are issuing and publishing these
final results and notice in accordance
with sections 751(c), 752(c), and
777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.218
and 19 CFR 351.221(c)(5)(ii).
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Appendix
List of Topics Discussed in the Issues and
Decision Memorandum
I. Summary
II. Background
III. Scope of the AD Orders
IV. History of the AD Orders
V. Legal Framework
VI. Discussion of the Issues
1. Likelihood of Continuation or
Recurrence of Dumping
2. Magnitude of the Dumping Margins
Likely to Prevail
VII. Final Results of Sunset Reviews
VIII. Recommendation
[FR Doc. 2020–26728 Filed 12–3–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[RTID 0648–XA349]
Draft 2020 Marine Mammal Stock
Assessment Reports
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments
and new information.
AGENCY:
NMFS reviewed the Alaska,
Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine
mammal stock assessment reports
(SARs) in accordance with the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). SARs
for marine mammals in the Alaska,
Atlantic, and Pacific regions were
revised according to new information.
NMFS solicits public comments on the
draft 2020 SARs. NMFS is also
requesting new information for strategic
stocks that were not updated in 2020.
DATES: Comments must be received by
March 4, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The 2020 draft SARs are
available in electronic form via the
internet at https://www.fisheries
.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammalprotection/draft-marine-mammal-stockassessment-reports.
Copies of the Alaska Regional SARs
may be requested from Marcia Muto,
Alaska Fisheries Science Center; copies
of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and
Caribbean Regional SARs may be
requested from Elizabeth Josephson,
Northeast Fisheries Science Center; and
copies of the Pacific Regional SARs may
be requested from Jim Carretta,
Southwest Fisheries Science Center (see
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 234 / Friday, December 4, 2020 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
below).
You may submit comments or new
information, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2020–0130, through the Federal
e-Rulemaking Portal:
1. Go to www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20200130.
2. Click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
and complete the required fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider
comments if they are sent by any other
method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period. Due to delays in
processing mail related to COVID–19
and health and safety concerns, no mail,
courier, or hand deliveries will be
accepted. All comments received are a
part of the public record and will
generally be posted for public viewing
on www.regulations.gov without change.
All personal identifying information
(e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential
business information, or otherwise
sensitive information submitted
voluntarily by the sender will be
publicly accessible. NMFS will accept
anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in
the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Zachary Schakner, Office of Science and
Technology, 301–427–8106,
Zachary.Schakner@noaa.gov; Marcia
Muto, 206–526–4026, Marcia.Muto@
noaa.gov, regarding Alaska regional
stock assessments; Elizabeth Josephson,
508–495–2362, Elizabeth.Josephson@
noaa.gov, regarding Atlantic, Gulf of
Mexico, and Caribbean regional stock
assessments; or Jim Carretta, 858–546–
7171, Jim.Carretta@noaa.gov, regarding
Pacific regional stock assessments.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 117 of the 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 (EEZ). 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 humancaused 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); (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 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
three regional independent Scientific
Review Groups, established under the
MMPA to independently advise NMFS
on information and uncertainties related
to the status of marine mammals.
The period covered by the 2020 draft
SARs is 2014 through 2018. NMFS
reviewed the status of all marine
mammal strategic stocks as required and
considered whether significant new
information was available for all other
stocks under NMFS’ jurisdiction. As a
result of this review, NMFS revised a
total of 81 reports representing 84 stocks
in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific
regions to incorporate new information.
The 2020 revisions to the SARs consist
primarily of updated or revised humancaused mortality and serious injury (M/
SI) estimates and updated abundance
estimates. For the Gulf of Maine
humpback whale stock, the revisions
include the application of an
established capture-mark-recapture
method to estimate the abundance and
unobserved or cryptic mortality. Five
stocks changed in status from ‘‘nonstrategic’’ to ‘‘strategic’’ (Eastern Bering
Sea beluga whale, Gulf of Maine
humpback whale, Gulf of Mexico
spinner dolphin, Gulf of Mexico striped
dolphin, and Gulf of Mexico Clymene
dolphin stocks). The stock summary
tables have been reformatted for
consistency across each region.
Highlights of the draft 2020 SAR
revisions are discussed below.
NMFS solicits public comments on
the draft 2020 SARs. To ensure NMFS
is aware of new information relevant to
all strategic stocks, NMFS also requests
new information for strategic stocks that
were not updated in 2020. Specifically,
new relevant information could include
peer-reviewed information on humancaused M/SI, fishery interactions,
abundance, distribution, stock structure,
and habitat concerns, which could be
incorporated into the SARs, and other
information on emerging concerns for
strategic stocks.
Alaska Reports
In 2020, NMFS reviewed new
information for 28 stocks in the Alaska
Region and revised 23 Stock Assessment
Reports under NMFS’ jurisdiction: 16
strategic stocks and 7 non-strategic
stocks. The Eastern Bering Sea beluga
whale stock changed from ‘‘nonstrategic’’ to ‘‘strategic’’ (see below). A
list of the revised stocks in 2020 for the
Alaska region is presented in Table 1.
Information on the remaining Alaska
region stocks can be found in the final
2019 reports (Muto et al. 2020).
TABLE 1—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL STOCKS IN THE ALASKA REGION REVISED IN 2020
Strategic stocks
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Non-strategic stocks
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.* .............................................................
Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific * .......................................................
Bearded seal, Beringia .........................................................................
Ringed seal, Arctic ................................................................................
Beluga whale, Eastern Bering Sea * .....................................................
Beluga whale, Cook Inlet * ....................................................................
Killer whale, AT1 Transient ...................................................................
Harbor porpoise, Southeast Alaska.
Harbor porpoise, Gulf of Alaska.
Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea *.
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spotted seal, Bering.
Ribbon seal.
Beluga whale, Beaufort Sea.
Beluga whale, Eastern Chukchi Sea.*
Beluga whale, Bristol Bay.*
Killer whale, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands.
Killer whale, West Coast Transient.*
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TABLE 1—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL STOCKS IN THE ALASKA REGION REVISED IN 2020—Continued
Strategic stocks
•
•
•
•
•
•
Non-strategic stocks
Sperm whale, North Pacific.
Humpback whale, Western North Pacific.
Humpback whale, Central North Pacific.
Fin whale, Northeast Pacific.
North Pacific right whale, Eastern North Pacific.
Bowhead whale, Western Arctic.
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
Stock Name Changes
NMFS changed the stock names for
the four ice seal stocks (bearded seal,
ribbon seal, ringed seal, and spotted
seal) to reflect advice in the NMFS
Policy Directive, ‘‘Guidelines for
preparing stock assessment reports
pursuant to the 1994 amendments to the
Marine Mammal Protection Act’’ (NMFS
2016) regarding trans-boundary stocks.
While the stocks extend beyond the
boundaries of the U.S. EEZ, the stock
assessment reports consider only the
portions of the stocks that are within the
U.S. EEZ because the relevant stock
assessment data on abundance and
human-caused mortality and serious
injury are generally not available for the
broader range of the stock or even for
waters adjacent to the U.S. EEZ.
Beluga Whale, Eastern Bering Sea
The updated abundance estimate,
derived from aerial surveys in 2017, is
9,242 beluga whales. This is an increase
from the previous estimate of 6,994. The
updated minimum population estimate
is 8,357, previously considered
unreliable for calculating a PBR as the
survey data were more than eight years
old. The Eastern Bering Sea beluga
whale stock changed from non-strategic
to strategic because the calculated PBR
of 167 is less than the estimated humancaused mortality and serious injury of
198 beluga whales.
Beluga Whales—Cook Inlet
A new approach using video data was
applied to address bias in the group-size
estimation process of previous methods.
The updated best estimate of abundance
in 2018, derived using this new
analytical method on aerial survey data
from 2014, 2016, and 2018, is 279
beluga whales. This is a decrease from
the previous estimate of 327. During the
most recent 10-year time period (2008–
2018), the estimated exponential trend
in the abundance estimates is a decline
of 2.3 percent per year (95 percent
Probability Interval: –4.1 percent to –0.6
percent), with a 99.7 percent probability
of a decline, and a 93.0 percent
probability of a decline that is more
than 1 percent per year (Wade et al.
2019).
Harbor Porpoise, Bering Sea
The abundance estimate for harbor
porpoise in the eastern Bering Sea,
derived from vessel surveys in
association with pollock stock
assessment surveys in 2008, is 5,713
harbor porpoise. However, this estimate
is for only a small portion of the range
of this stock. Because the survey data
are more than eight years old, the
minimum population estimate (NMIN) is
now considered unknown, and the PBR
is now considered undetermined.
Atlantic Reports
In 2020, NMFS reviewed all 116
stocks in the Atlantic region for new
information (including the Atlantic
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S.
territories in the Caribbean). This year,
NMFS revised 33 reports in the Atlantic
region (13 strategic and 20 nonstrategic). Four stocks (Gulf of Maine
humpback whale, Gulf of Mexico
spinner dolphin, Gulf of Mexico striped
dolphin, and Gulf of Mexico Clymene
dolphin) changed from ‘‘non-strategic’’
to ‘‘strategic’’ (see below). A list of the
revised stocks in the Atlantic region for
2020 is presented in Table 2.
Information on the remaining Atlantic
region stocks can be found in the final
2019 reports (Hayes et al. 2020).
TABLE 2—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL STOCKS IN THE ATLANTIC REGION REVISED IN 2020
Strategic stocks
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Non-strategic stocks
North Atlantic right whale, Western North Atlantic (WNA) * .................
Fin whale, WNA * ..................................................................................
Sei whale, Nova Scotia .........................................................................
Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine ..........................................................
Common bottlenose dolphin, WNA Northern Migratory coastal ..........
Common bottlenose dolphin, WNA Southern Migratory coastal ..........
Common bottlenose, Northern North Carolina Estuarine System .......
Common bottlenose, Southern North Carolina Estuarine System .......
Bryde’s whale, Gulf of Mexico * ............................................................
Clymene dolphin, Gulf of Mexico * ........................................................
Sperm whale, Gulf of Mexico * .............................................................
Spinner dolphin, Gulf of Mexico * .........................................................
Striped dolphin, Gulf of Mexico* ...........................................................
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Minke whale, Canadian East Coast.*
Common dolphin, WNA.*
Harbor porpoise, Gulf of Maine.
Gray seal, WNA.
Blainville’s beaked whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
Cuvier’s beaked whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
Gervais’ beaked whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
Bottlenose dolphin, Gulf of Mexico, Oceanic.*
Dwarf sperm whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
Pygmy sperm whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
False killer whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
Fraser’s dolphin, Gulf of Mexico.*
Killer whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
Harbor seal, WNA.
Pantropical spotted dolphin, Gulf of Mexico.*
Pygmy killer whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
Risso’s dolphin, Gulf of Mexico.*
Rough-toothed dolphin, Gulf of Mexico.*
Short-finned pilot whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
Melon-headed whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
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North Atlantic Right Whale, Western
Atlantic
For the second year, western North
Atlantic right whale stock size is based
on a state-space model of the sighting
histories of individual whales (Pace et
al. 2017). Using a hierarchical, statespace Bayesian open population model
of these histories produced a median
abundance value of 412 individuals (95
percent credible intervals 403–424). The
previous best abundance estimate in the
2019 SAR was 428 (95 percent credible
intervals 406–447).
The estimated annual rate of total
mortality using this modeling approach
is 18.6 animals for the period 2013–
2017 (Pace et al. submitted). This
estimated total mortality accounts for
detected mortality and serious injury, as
well as undetected (unobserved or
cryptic) mortality within the
population. When comparing the
detected mortality and serious injury to
the model estimates for the five-year
period (2013–2017), the detection rate
was 51 percent of the state space
model’s annual morality estimate.
Humpback Whale, Gulf of Maine
For the Gulf of Maine humpback
whale report, two independent
abundance estimates are presented. One
based on ship/aerial line-transect
surveys, and a second based on
applying mark and recapture methods to
photo identification records (Robbins
and Pace 2018). The best abundance
estimate of 1,396 (95 percent credible
intervals 1363–1429) is based on the
mark and recapture method that utilizes
a state-space model of the sighting
histories of individual whales. Using the
resulting NMIN associated with this
abundance estimate of 1,380, the PBR
for the Gulf of Maine Humpback whale
stock is 22.
The state-space model was also used
to estimate total mortality as described
above for North Atlantic right whales.
The estimated annual rate of total
mortality using this modeling method is
57.6 animals for the period 2011–2015
(estimated mortality for 2016 forward is
not yet available due to ongoing
processing of all photographs collected
through 2020). The estimated human
caused mortality and serious injury now
exceeds PBR (22), and the Gulf of Maine
humpback whale stock changed in
status from ‘‘non-strategic’’ to
‘‘strategic.’’
Gulf of Mexico Stocks Abundance
Estimates
New abundance estimates for 20 Gulf
of Mexico stocks were generated from
vessel surveys conducted in the
northern Gulf of Mexico and an updated
methodology (Garrison et al. 2020). The
new estimates were produced using a
new double-platform data-collection
procedure to allow estimation of the
detection probability on the trackline
using the independent observer
approach assuming point independence
(Laake and Borchers 2004). Unlike
previous abundance estimates, these
estimates were corrected for the
probability of detection on the trackline.
Three stocks changed from ‘‘nonstrategic’’ to ‘‘strategic’’ (spinner
dolphin, striped dolphin, and Clymene
dolphin) because the mean modeled
annual human-caused mortality and
serious injury due to the Deepwater
Horizon (DWH) oil spill exceeds PBR.
Deep Water Horizon Mortality and
Serious Injury Estimates
A population model was developed to
estimate the injury and time to recovery
for stocks affected by the DWH oil spill,
taking into account long-term effects
resulting from mortality, reproductive
failure, reduced survival rates, and the
proportion of the stock exposed to DWH
oil (DWH MMIQT 2015). As a result, the
mean modeled annual human-caused
mortality and serious injury due to the
DWH oil spill now exceeds PBR in Gulf
of Mexico spinner dolphin, striped
dolphin, and Clymene dolphin stocks.
The mortality is not associated with
commercial fishery-related mortality
and serious injury and does not trigger
action under section 118 of the MMPA.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Western
North Atlantic Stocks
An analysis of coast-wide (New Jersey
to Florida) trends in abundance for
common bottlenose dolphins was
included in the WNA Northern and
Southern Migratory Coastal SARs and
indicated a declining trend. There was
a statistically significant change in slope
between 2011 and 2016, indicating a
decline in population size. The coastwide inverse-variance weighted average
estimate for coastal common bottlenose
dolphins during 2011 was 41,456
(Coefficient of Variation—CV = 0.30),
while the estimate during 2016 was
19,470 (CV = 0.23; Garrison et al. 2017).
This apparent decline in common
bottlenose dolphin abundance in coastal
waters along the eastern seaboard may
be a result of the 2013–2015 Unusual
Mortality Event.
Pacific Reports
In 2020, NMFS reviewed all 85 stocks
in the Pacific region (waters along the
west coast of the United States, within
waters surrounding the main and
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and
within waters surrounding U.S.
territories in the Western Pacific) for
new information, and revised SARs for
28 stocks (7 strategic and 21 nonstrategic). A list revised stocks in 2020
for the Pacific region is presented in
Table 3. Information on the remaining
Pacific region stocks can be found in the
final 2019 reports (Carretta et al. 2020).
TABLE 3—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL STOCKS IN THE PACIFIC REGION REVISED IN 2020
Strategic stocks
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Non-strategic stocks
False killer whale, Main Hawaiian Islands Insular ................................
Hawaiian monk seal * ............................................................................
Killer whale, Eastern N Pacific Southern * Resident ............................
Sperm whale, Hawaii * ..........................................................................
Fin whale, Hawaii * ................................................................................
Fin whale, California/Oregon/Washington ............................................
Gray whale, Western North Pacific ......................................................
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Æ
Æ
•
•
Æ
Æ
•
•
•
Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific.
Rough-toothed dolphin, Hawaii.*
Risso’s dolphin, Hawaii.*
Pantropical spotted dolphin, Hawaii Pelagic.*
Bottlenose dolphin, Hawaii Pelagic.*
Striped dolphin, Hawaii Pelagic.*
Frasers dolphin, Hawaii.*
Melon-headed whale.*
Hawaiian islands.
Kohala Resident.
Pygmy killer whale, Hawaii.*
False Killer whale.*
Northwest Hawaiian Islands.
Hawaii Pelagic.
Killer whale, Hawaii.*
Short-finned pilot whale, Hawaii.*
Blainville’s beaked whale, Hawaii Pelagic.*
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TABLE 3—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL STOCKS IN THE PACIFIC REGION REVISED IN 2020—Continued
Strategic stocks
Non-strategic stocks
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cuvier’s beaked whale, Hawaii Pelagic.*
Longman’s beaked whale, Hawaii.*
Pygmy sperm whale, Hawaii.*
Dwarf sperm whale, Hawaii.
Bryde’s whale, Hawaii.*
Minke whale, Hawaii.*
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
Updated Abundance Estimates for
Hawaiian Stocks
The majority of Hawaii reports
contain new abundance estimates for all
Hawaiian Islands Cetacean Assessment
Survey (HICEAS) years (2002, 2010, and
2017) using a consistent analysis
approach across years. Some stocks use
model-based estimates of abundance
when available.
False Killer Whale, All Pacific Stocks
The stock range and boundaries of the
three Hawaiian stocks of false killer
whales were recently reevaluated, given
significant new information on the
occurrence and movements of each
stock in Bradford et al. (2015), and
further revised for the pelagic stock in
Bradford et al. (2020). A new modelbased methodology, taking into account
the removal of the inner stock boundary
for the pelagic stock, was used to
estimate abundance. This resulted in
new abundance, NMIN, and PBR
estimates for the Hawaii EEZ and
broader central Pacific study area.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin-Hawaii
Pelagic
There were no sightings of bottlenose
dolphins during systematic survey effort
in 2017, and therefore design-based
estimates are not available. This results
in an undetermined abundance estimate
(previously 21,815) and
correspondingly, the PBR for this
population is now undetermined
(previously 140).
References
Bradford, A.L., E.M. Oleson, R.W. Baird, C.H.
Boggs, K.A. Forney, and N.C. Young.
2015. Revised stock boundaries for false
killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in
Hawaiian waters. U.S. Department of
Commerce, NOAA Technical
Memorandum. NOAA–TM–NMFS–
PIFSC–47, 29 p.
Bradford, A.L., E.A. Becker, E.M. Oleson,
K.A. Forney, J.E. Moore, and J. Barlow.
2020. Abundance estimates of false killer
whales in Hawaiian waters and the
broader central Pacific. U.S. Department
of Commerce, NOAA Technical
Memorandum NOAA–TM–NMFS–
PIFSC–104, 78 p.
Carretta, J.V., K.A. Forney, E.M. Oleson, D.W.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:18 Dec 03, 2020
Jkt 253001
Weller, A.R. Lang, J. Baker, M.M. Muto,
B. Hanson, A.J. Orr, H. Huber, M.S.
Lowry, J. Barlow, J.E. Moore, D. Lynch,
L. Carswell, and R.L. Brownell Jr. 2020.
U.S. Pacific marine mammal stock
assessments: 2019. U.S. Department of
Commerce, NOAA Technical
Memorandum NMFS–SWFSC–629, 385
p.
DWH MMIQT. 2015. Models and analyses for
the quantification of injury to Gulf of
Mexico cetaceans from the Deepwater
Horizon Oil Spill, MM_TR.01_
Schwacke_Quantification.of.Injury.to.
GOM.Cetaceans. Southeast Fisheries
Science Center Reference Document
PRBD–2020–02.
Garrison, L.P., J. Ortega-Ortiz, and G.
Rappucci. 2020. Abundance of marine
mammals in the waters of the U.S. Gulf
of Mexico in the summer of 2017 and
2018. Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Reference Document PRBD–2020–07, 55
p.
Garrison, L.P., K. Barry, and W. Hoggard.
2017. The abundance of coastal
morphotype bottlenose dolphins on the
U.S. east coast: 2002–2016. Southeast
Fisheries Science Center Reference
Document PRBD–2017–01, 43 p.
Hayes, S.A., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley,
and P.E. Rosel, Editors. 2020. U.S.
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico marine
mammal stock assessments—2019. U.S.
Department of Commerce, NOAA
Technical Memorandum NMFS–NE–264,
477 p.
Laake, J.L. and D.L. Borchers. 2004. Methods
for incomplete detection at distance zero,
In: Advanced distance sampling, edited
by S.T. Buckland, D.R. Andersen, K.P.
Burnham, J.L. Laake, and L. Thomas, p.
108–189, Oxford University Press, New
York.
Muto, M.M., V.T. Helker, B.J. Delean, R.P.
Angliss, P.L. Boveng, J.M. Breiwick, B.M.
Brost, M.F. Cameron, P.J. Clapham, S.P.
Dahle, M.E. Dahlheim, B.S. Fadely, M.C.
Ferguson, L.W. Fritz, R.C. Hobbs, Y.V.
Ivashchenko, A.S. Kennedy, J.M.
London, S.A. Mizroch, R.R. Ream, E.L.
Richmond, K.E.W. Shelden, K.L.
Sweeney, R.G. Towell, P.R. Wade, J.M.
Waite, and A.N. Zerbini. 2020. Alaska
marine mammal stock assessments,
2019. U.S. Department of Commerce,
NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS–
AFSC–404, 395 p.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
2016. Guidelines for preparing stock
assessment reports pursuant to the 1994
amendments to the Marine Mammal
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Protection Act, 23 p.
Pace, R.M., III, P.J. Corkeron, and S.D. Kraus.
2017. State-space mark-recapture
estimates reveal a recent decline in
abundance of North Atlantic right
whales. Ecol. and Evol. 7:8730–8741.
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3406.
Pace, R.M., III, R. Williams, A.R. Knowlton,
H.M. Pettis, and S.D. Kraus. Submitted.
Cryptic mortality of North Atlantic right
whales.
Robbins, J. and R.M. Pace, III. 2018. Trends
in abundance of North Atlantic
humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine.
EE133F–17–SE–1320 Task I Contract
Report. Northeast Fisheries Science
Center, Woods Hole, MA.
Wade, P.R., C. Boyd, K.E.W. Shelden, and
C.L. Sims. 2019. Chapter 2: Group size
estimates and revised abundance
estimates and trend for the Cook Inlet
beluga population. In K.E.W. Shelden
and P.R. Wade (eds.), Aerial surveys,
distribution, abundance, and trend of
belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in Cook
Inlet, Alaska, June 2018. AFSC Processed
Rep. 2019–09, 93 p. Alaska Fisheries
Science Center, Seattle, WA.
Dated: November 30, 2020.
Christopher Wayne Oliver,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–26681 Filed 12–3–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 234 (Friday, December 4, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78307-78311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26681]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XA349]
Draft 2020 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments and new information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS reviewed the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regional
marine mammal stock assessment reports (SARs) in accordance with the
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). SARs for marine mammals in the
Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions were revised according to new
information. NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 2020 SARs. NMFS
is also requesting new information for strategic stocks that were not
updated in 2020.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 4, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The 2020 draft SARs are available in electronic form via the
internet at https://www.fisheries .noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-
protection/draft-marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports.
Copies of the Alaska Regional SARs may be requested from Marcia
Muto, Alaska Fisheries Science Center; copies of the Atlantic, Gulf of
Mexico, and Caribbean Regional SARs may be requested from Elizabeth
Josephson, Northeast Fisheries Science Center; and copies of the
Pacific Regional SARs may be requested from Jim Carretta, Southwest
Fisheries Science Center (see
[[Page 78308]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below).
You may submit comments or new information, identified by NOAA-
NMFS-2020-0130, through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal:
1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0130.
2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, and complete the required
fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after
the end of the comment period. Due to delays in processing mail related
to COVID-19 and health and safety concerns, no mail, courier, or hand
deliveries will be accepted. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
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 (EEZ). 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); (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
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 three regional independent Scientific Review Groups, established
under the MMPA to independently advise NMFS on information and
uncertainties related to the status of marine mammals.
The period covered by the 2020 draft SARs is 2014 through 2018.
NMFS reviewed the status of all marine mammal strategic stocks as
required and considered whether significant new information was
available for all other stocks under NMFS' jurisdiction. As a result of
this review, NMFS revised a total of 81 reports representing 84 stocks
in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific regions to incorporate new
information. The 2020 revisions to the SARs consist primarily of
updated or revised human-caused mortality and serious injury (M/SI)
estimates and updated abundance estimates. For the Gulf of Maine
humpback whale stock, the revisions include the application of an
established capture-mark-recapture method to estimate the abundance and
unobserved or cryptic mortality. Five stocks changed in status from
``non-strategic'' to ``strategic'' (Eastern Bering Sea beluga whale,
Gulf of Maine humpback whale, Gulf of Mexico spinner dolphin, Gulf of
Mexico striped dolphin, and Gulf of Mexico Clymene dolphin stocks). The
stock summary tables have been reformatted for consistency across each
region. Highlights of the draft 2020 SAR revisions are discussed below.
NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 2020 SARs. To ensure
NMFS is aware of new information relevant to all strategic stocks, NMFS
also requests new information for strategic stocks that were not
updated in 2020. Specifically, new relevant information could include
peer-reviewed information on human-caused M/SI, fishery interactions,
abundance, distribution, stock structure, and habitat concerns, which
could be incorporated into the SARs, and other information on emerging
concerns for strategic stocks.
Alaska Reports
In 2020, NMFS reviewed new information for 28 stocks in the Alaska
Region and revised 23 Stock Assessment Reports under NMFS'
jurisdiction: 16 strategic stocks and 7 non-strategic stocks. The
Eastern Bering Sea beluga whale stock changed from ``non-strategic'' to
``strategic'' (see below). A list of the revised stocks in 2020 for the
Alaska region is presented in Table 1. Information on the remaining
Alaska region stocks can be found in the final 2019 reports (Muto et
al. 2020).
Table 1--List of Marine Mammal Stocks in the Alaska Region Revised in
2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic stocks Non-strategic stocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steller sea lion, Western Spotted seal, Bering.
U.S.*.
Northern fur seal, Eastern Ribbon seal.
Pacific *.
Bearded seal, Beringia........ Beluga whale, Beaufort
Sea.
Ringed seal, Arctic........... Beluga whale, Eastern
Chukchi Sea.*
Beluga whale, Eastern Bering Beluga whale, Bristol
Sea *. Bay.*
Beluga whale, Cook Inlet *.... Killer whale, Gulf of
Alaska, Aleutian Islands.
Killer whale, AT1 Transient... Killer whale, West
Coast Transient.*
Harbor porpoise, Southeast
Alaska.
Harbor porpoise, Gulf of
Alaska.
Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea *.
[[Page 78309]]
Sperm whale, North Pacific....
Humpback whale, Western North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Central North
Pacific.
Fin whale, Northeast Pacific..
North Pacific right whale,
Eastern North Pacific.
Bowhead whale, Western Arctic.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
Stock Name Changes
NMFS changed the stock names for the four ice seal stocks (bearded
seal, ribbon seal, ringed seal, and spotted seal) to reflect advice in
the NMFS Policy Directive, ``Guidelines for preparing stock assessment
reports pursuant to the 1994 amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection
Act'' (NMFS 2016) regarding trans-boundary stocks. While the stocks
extend beyond the boundaries of the U.S. EEZ, the stock assessment
reports consider only the portions of the stocks that are within the
U.S. EEZ because the relevant stock assessment data on abundance and
human-caused mortality and serious injury are generally not available
for the broader range of the stock or even for waters adjacent to the
U.S. EEZ.
Beluga Whale, Eastern Bering Sea
The updated abundance estimate, derived from aerial surveys in
2017, is 9,242 beluga whales. This is an increase from the previous
estimate of 6,994. The updated minimum population estimate is 8,357,
previously considered unreliable for calculating a PBR as the survey
data were more than eight years old. The Eastern Bering Sea beluga
whale stock changed from non-strategic to strategic because the
calculated PBR of 167 is less than the estimated human-caused mortality
and serious injury of 198 beluga whales.
Beluga Whales--Cook Inlet
A new approach using video data was applied to address bias in the
group-size estimation process of previous methods. The updated best
estimate of abundance in 2018, derived using this new analytical method
on aerial survey data from 2014, 2016, and 2018, is 279 beluga whales.
This is a decrease from the previous estimate of 327. During the most
recent 10-year time period (2008-2018), the estimated exponential trend
in the abundance estimates is a decline of 2.3 percent per year (95
percent Probability Interval: -4.1 percent to -0.6 percent), with a
99.7 percent probability of a decline, and a 93.0 percent probability
of a decline that is more than 1 percent per year (Wade et al. 2019).
Harbor Porpoise, Bering Sea
The abundance estimate for harbor porpoise in the eastern Bering
Sea, derived from vessel surveys in association with pollock stock
assessment surveys in 2008, is 5,713 harbor porpoise. However, this
estimate is for only a small portion of the range of this stock.
Because the survey data are more than eight years old, the minimum
population estimate (NMIN) is now considered unknown, and
the PBR is now considered undetermined.
Atlantic Reports
In 2020, NMFS reviewed all 116 stocks in the Atlantic region for
new information (including the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S.
territories in the Caribbean). This year, NMFS revised 33 reports in
the Atlantic region (13 strategic and 20 non-strategic). Four stocks
(Gulf of Maine humpback whale, Gulf of Mexico spinner dolphin, Gulf of
Mexico striped dolphin, and Gulf of Mexico Clymene dolphin) changed
from ``non-strategic'' to ``strategic'' (see below). A list of the
revised stocks in the Atlantic region for 2020 is presented in Table 2.
Information on the remaining Atlantic region stocks can be found in the
final 2019 reports (Hayes et al. 2020).
Table 2--List of Marine Mammal Stocks in the Atlantic Region Revised in
2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic stocks Non-strategic stocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Atlantic right whale, Minke whale, Canadian
Western North Atlantic (WNA) *. East Coast.*
Fin whale, WNA *.............. Common dolphin, WNA.*
Sei whale, Nova Scotia........ Harbor porpoise, Gulf
of Maine.
Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. Gray seal, WNA.
Common bottlenose dolphin, WNA Blainville's beaked
Northern Migratory coastal. whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
Common bottlenose dolphin, WNA Cuvier's beaked whale,
Southern Migratory coastal. Gulf of Mexico.*
Common bottlenose, Northern Gervais' beaked whale,
North Carolina Estuarine System. Gulf of Mexico.*
Common bottlenose, Southern Bottlenose dolphin,
North Carolina Estuarine System. Gulf of Mexico, Oceanic.*
Bryde's whale, Gulf of Mexico Dwarf sperm whale,
*. Gulf of Mexico.*
Clymene dolphin, Gulf of Pygmy sperm whale,
Mexico *. Gulf of Mexico.*
Sperm whale, Gulf of Mexico *. False killer whale,
Gulf of Mexico.*
Spinner dolphin, Gulf of Fraser's dolphin, Gulf
Mexico *. of Mexico.*
Striped dolphin, Gulf of Killer whale, Gulf of
Mexico*. Mexico.*
Harbor seal, WNA.
Pantropical spotted
dolphin, Gulf of Mexico.*
Pygmy killer whale,
Gulf of Mexico.*
Risso's dolphin, Gulf
of Mexico.*
Rough-toothed dolphin,
Gulf of Mexico.*
Short-finned pilot
whale, Gulf of Mexico.*
Melon-headed whale,
Gulf of Mexico.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
[[Page 78310]]
North Atlantic Right Whale, Western Atlantic
For the second year, western North Atlantic right whale stock size
is based on a state-space model of the sighting histories of individual
whales (Pace et al. 2017). Using a hierarchical, state-space Bayesian
open population model of these histories produced a median abundance
value of 412 individuals (95 percent credible intervals 403-424). The
previous best abundance estimate in the 2019 SAR was 428 (95 percent
credible intervals 406-447).
The estimated annual rate of total mortality using this modeling
approach is 18.6 animals for the period 2013-2017 (Pace et al.
submitted). This estimated total mortality accounts for detected
mortality and serious injury, as well as undetected (unobserved or
cryptic) mortality within the population. When comparing the detected
mortality and serious injury to the model estimates for the five-year
period (2013-2017), the detection rate was 51 percent of the state
space model's annual morality estimate.
Humpback Whale, Gulf of Maine
For the Gulf of Maine humpback whale report, two independent
abundance estimates are presented. One based on ship/aerial line-
transect surveys, and a second based on applying mark and recapture
methods to photo identification records (Robbins and Pace 2018). The
best abundance estimate of 1,396 (95 percent credible intervals 1363-
1429) is based on the mark and recapture method that utilizes a state-
space model of the sighting histories of individual whales. Using the
resulting NMIN associated with this abundance estimate of
1,380, the PBR for the Gulf of Maine Humpback whale stock is 22.
The state-space model was also used to estimate total mortality as
described above for North Atlantic right whales. The estimated annual
rate of total mortality using this modeling method is 57.6 animals for
the period 2011-2015 (estimated mortality for 2016 forward is not yet
available due to ongoing processing of all photographs collected
through 2020). The estimated human caused mortality and serious injury
now exceeds PBR (22), and the Gulf of Maine humpback whale stock
changed in status from ``non-strategic'' to ``strategic.''
Gulf of Mexico Stocks Abundance Estimates
New abundance estimates for 20 Gulf of Mexico stocks were generated
from vessel surveys conducted in the northern Gulf of Mexico and an
updated methodology (Garrison et al. 2020). The new estimates were
produced using a new double-platform data-collection procedure to allow
estimation of the detection probability on the trackline using the
independent observer approach assuming point independence (Laake and
Borchers 2004). Unlike previous abundance estimates, these estimates
were corrected for the probability of detection on the trackline. Three
stocks changed from ``non-strategic'' to ``strategic'' (spinner
dolphin, striped dolphin, and Clymene dolphin) because the mean modeled
annual human-caused mortality and serious injury due to the Deepwater
Horizon (DWH) oil spill exceeds PBR.
Deep Water Horizon Mortality and Serious Injury Estimates
A population model was developed to estimate the injury and time to
recovery for stocks affected by the DWH oil spill, taking into account
long-term effects resulting from mortality, reproductive failure,
reduced survival rates, and the proportion of the stock exposed to DWH
oil (DWH MMIQT 2015). As a result, the mean modeled annual human-caused
mortality and serious injury due to the DWH oil spill now exceeds PBR
in Gulf of Mexico spinner dolphin, striped dolphin, and Clymene dolphin
stocks. The mortality is not associated with commercial fishery-related
mortality and serious injury and does not trigger action under section
118 of the MMPA.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Western North Atlantic Stocks
An analysis of coast-wide (New Jersey to Florida) trends in
abundance for common bottlenose dolphins was included in the WNA
Northern and Southern Migratory Coastal SARs and indicated a declining
trend. There was a statistically significant change in slope between
2011 and 2016, indicating a decline in population size. The coast-wide
inverse-variance weighted average estimate for coastal common
bottlenose dolphins during 2011 was 41,456 (Coefficient of Variation--
CV = 0.30), while the estimate during 2016 was 19,470 (CV = 0.23;
Garrison et al. 2017). This apparent decline in common bottlenose
dolphin abundance in coastal waters along the eastern seaboard may be a
result of the 2013-2015 Unusual Mortality Event.
Pacific Reports
In 2020, NMFS reviewed all 85 stocks in the Pacific region (waters
along the west coast of the United States, within waters surrounding
the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and within waters
surrounding U.S. territories in the Western Pacific) for new
information, and revised SARs for 28 stocks (7 strategic and 21 non-
strategic). A list revised stocks in 2020 for the Pacific region is
presented in Table 3. Information on the remaining Pacific region
stocks can be found in the final 2019 reports (Carretta et al. 2020).
Table 3--List of Marine Mammal Stocks in the Pacific Region Revised in
2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic stocks Non-strategic stocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
False killer whale, Main Gray whale, Eastern
Hawaiian Islands Insular. North Pacific.
Hawaiian monk seal *.......... Rough-toothed dolphin,
Hawaii.*
Killer whale, Eastern N Risso's dolphin,
Pacific Southern * Resident. Hawaii.*
Sperm whale, Hawaii *......... Pantropical spotted
dolphin, Hawaii Pelagic.*
Fin whale, Hawaii *........... Bottlenose dolphin,
Hawaii Pelagic.*
Fin whale, California/Oregon/ Striped dolphin,
Washington. Hawaii Pelagic.*
Gray whale, Western North Frasers dolphin,
Pacific. Hawaii.*
Melon-headed whale.*
[cir] Hawaiian islands.
[cir] Kohala Resident.
Pygmy killer whale,
Hawaii.*
False Killer whale.*
[cir] Northwest Hawaiian
Islands.
[cir] Hawaii Pelagic.
Killer whale, Hawaii.*
Short-finned pilot
whale, Hawaii.*
Blainville's beaked
whale, Hawaii Pelagic.*
[[Page 78311]]
Cuvier's beaked whale,
Hawaii Pelagic.*
Longman's beaked
whale, Hawaii.*
Pygmy sperm whale,
Hawaii.*
Dwarf sperm whale,
Hawaii.
Bryde's whale,
Hawaii.*
Minke whale, Hawaii.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
Updated Abundance Estimates for Hawaiian Stocks
The majority of Hawaii reports contain new abundance estimates for
all Hawaiian Islands Cetacean Assessment Survey (HICEAS) years (2002,
2010, and 2017) using a consistent analysis approach across years. Some
stocks use model-based estimates of abundance when available.
False Killer Whale, All Pacific Stocks
The stock range and boundaries of the three Hawaiian stocks of
false killer whales were recently reevaluated, given significant new
information on the occurrence and movements of each stock in Bradford
et al. (2015), and further revised for the pelagic stock in Bradford et
al. (2020). A new model-based methodology, taking into account the
removal of the inner stock boundary for the pelagic stock, was used to
estimate abundance. This resulted in new abundance, NMIN,
and PBR estimates for the Hawaii EEZ and broader central Pacific study
area.
Common Bottlenose Dolphin-Hawaii Pelagic
There were no sightings of bottlenose dolphins during systematic
survey effort in 2017, and therefore design-based estimates are not
available. This results in an undetermined abundance estimate
(previously 21,815) and correspondingly, the PBR for this population is
now undetermined (previously 140).
References
Bradford, A.L., E.M. Oleson, R.W. Baird, C.H. Boggs, K.A. Forney,
and N.C. Young. 2015. Revised stock boundaries for false killer
whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in Hawaiian waters. U.S. Department of
Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum. NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-47, 29 p.
Bradford, A.L., E.A. Becker, E.M. Oleson, K.A. Forney, J.E. Moore,
and J. Barlow. 2020. Abundance estimates of false killer whales in
Hawaiian waters and the broader central Pacific. U.S. Department of
Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-104, 78 p.
Carretta, J.V., K.A. Forney, E.M. Oleson, D.W. Weller, A.R. Lang, J.
Baker, M.M. Muto, B. Hanson, A.J. Orr, H. Huber, M.S. Lowry, J.
Barlow, J.E. Moore, D. Lynch, L. Carswell, and R.L. Brownell Jr.
2020. U.S. Pacific marine mammal stock assessments: 2019. U.S.
Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SWFSC-629,
385 p.
DWH MMIQT. 2015. Models and analyses for the quantification of
injury to Gulf of Mexico cetaceans from the Deepwater Horizon Oil
Spill, MM_TR.01_Schwacke_Quantification.of.Injury.to.GOM.Cetaceans.
Southeast Fisheries Science Center Reference Document PRBD-2020-02.
Garrison, L.P., J. Ortega-Ortiz, and G. Rappucci. 2020. Abundance of
marine mammals in the waters of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in the
summer of 2017 and 2018. Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Reference Document PRBD-2020-07, 55 p.
Garrison, L.P., K. Barry, and W. Hoggard. 2017. The abundance of
coastal morphotype bottlenose dolphins on the U.S. east coast: 2002-
2016. Southeast Fisheries Science Center Reference Document PRBD-
2017-01, 43 p.
Hayes, S.A., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley, and P.E. Rosel, Editors.
2020. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico marine mammal stock
assessments--2019. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical
Memorandum NMFS-NE-264, 477 p.
Laake, J.L. and D.L. Borchers. 2004. Methods for incomplete
detection at distance zero, In: Advanced distance sampling, edited
by S.T. Buckland, D.R. Andersen, K.P. Burnham, J.L. Laake, and L.
Thomas, p. 108-189, Oxford University Press, New York.
Muto, M.M., V.T. Helker, B.J. Delean, R.P. Angliss, P.L. Boveng,
J.M. Breiwick, B.M. Brost, M.F. Cameron, P.J. Clapham, S.P. Dahle,
M.E. Dahlheim, B.S. Fadely, M.C. Ferguson, L.W. Fritz, R.C. Hobbs,
Y.V. Ivashchenko, A.S. Kennedy, J.M. London, S.A. Mizroch, R.R.
Ream, E.L. Richmond, K.E.W. Shelden, K.L. Sweeney, R.G. Towell, P.R.
Wade, J.M. Waite, and A.N. Zerbini. 2020. Alaska marine mammal stock
assessments, 2019. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical
Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-404, 395 p.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2016. Guidelines for
preparing stock assessment reports pursuant to the 1994 amendments
to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 23 p.
Pace, R.M., III, P.J. Corkeron, and S.D. Kraus. 2017. State-space
mark-recapture estimates reveal a recent decline in abundance of
North Atlantic right whales. Ecol. and Evol. 7:8730-8741. DOI:
10.1002/ece3.3406.
Pace, R.M., III, R. Williams, A.R. Knowlton, H.M. Pettis, and S.D.
Kraus. Submitted. Cryptic mortality of North Atlantic right whales.
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Atlantic humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine. EE133F-17-SE-1320
Task I Contract Report. Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods
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Wade, P.R., C. Boyd, K.E.W. Shelden, and C.L. Sims. 2019. Chapter 2:
Group size estimates and revised abundance estimates and trend for
the Cook Inlet beluga population. In K.E.W. Shelden and P.R. Wade
(eds.), Aerial surveys, distribution, abundance, and trend of
belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in Cook Inlet, Alaska, June 2018.
AFSC Processed Rep. 2019-09, 93 p. Alaska Fisheries Science Center,
Seattle, WA.
Dated: November 30, 2020.
Christopher Wayne Oliver,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-26681 Filed 12-3-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
