Draft 2021 Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports, 58887-58890 [2021-23225]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 203 / Monday, October 25, 2021 / Notices
Surfside, Florida; finalize the
Committee’s annual report to Congress;
and provide an overview of event
scoring and readiness of teams. The
agenda may change to accommodate
Committee business. The final agenda
will be posted on the NIST website at
https://www.nist.gov/topics/disasterfailure-studies/national-constructionsafety-team-ncst/advisory-committeemeetings.
Individuals and representatives of
organizations who would like to offer
comments and suggestions related to
items on the Committee’s agenda for
this meeting are invited to request a
place on the agenda. Approximately
thirty minutes will be reserved for
public comments and speaking times
will be assigned on a first-come, firstserved basis. Public comments can be
provided via email or by web
conference attendance. The amount of
time per speaker will be determined by
the number of requests received.
Questions from the public will not be
considered during this period. All those
wishing to speak must submit their
request by email to the attention of Peter
Gale at Peter.Gale@nist.gov by 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, Wednesday, November 3,
2021. Speakers who wish to expand
upon their oral statements, those who
wish to speak but cannot be
accommodated on the agenda, and those
who are unable to attend are invited to
submit written statements electronically
by email to disaster@nist.gov.
Anyone wishing to attend this
meeting via web conference must
register by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time,
Wednesday, November 3, 2021, to
attend. Please submit your full name,
email address, and phone number to
Peter Gale at Peter.Gale@nist.gov.
Alicia Chambers,
NIST Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2021–23198 Filed 10–22–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XB302]
Draft 2021 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.
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
AGENCY:
NMFS reviewed the Alaska,
Atlantic, and Pacific regional marine
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:00 Oct 22, 2021
Jkt 256001
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 2021 SARs. NMFS is also
requesting new information for strategic
stocks that were not updated in 2021.
DATES: Comments must be received by
January 24, 2022.
ADDRESSES: The 2021 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
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
below).
You may submit comments or new
information, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2021–0130, through the Federal
e-Rulemaking Portal:
Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and enter
NOAA–NMFS–2021–0130 in the Search
box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and 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:
Zachary Schakner, Office of Science and
Technology, 301–427–8106,
Zachary.Schakner@noaa.gov; Marcia
Muto, 206–526–4026, Marcia.Muto@
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
58887
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 stock
assessment reports (SARs) 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 SARs 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 or is designated as depleted under
the MMPA. NMFS and FWS are
required to revise a SAR if the status of
the stock has changed or can be more
accurately determined.
In order to ensure that marine
mammal SARs constitute the best
scientific information available, the
updated SARs under NMFS’s
jurisdiction are peer-reviewed within
NOAA Fisheries Science Centers and by
members of three regional independent
Scientific Review Groups, established
under the MMPA to independently
advise NMFS. As a result of the review,
revision, and assessment of available
data, the period covered by the 2021
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
58888
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 203 / Monday, October 25, 2021 / Notices
draft SARs is 2015 through 2019. While
this results in a time lag, the extensive
peer review process ensures the best
scientific information is available in the
SARs.
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’s jurisdiction. As a result of this
review, NMFS revised a total of 50 SARs
in the Alaska, Atlantic, and Pacific
regions to incorporate new information.
The 2021 revisions to the SARs consist
primarily of updated or revised humancaused M/SI estimates and updated
abundance estimates. No stocks changed
in status from ‘‘non-strategic’’ to
‘‘strategic.’’ Three stocks changed in
status from ‘‘strategic’’ to ‘‘nonstrategic.’’ Highlights of the draft 2021
SAR revisions are discussed below.
NMFS solicits public comments on
the draft 2021 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 2021. Specifically,
new relevant information could include
peer-reviewed information on humancaused M/SI, fishery interactions,
abundance, distribution, stock structure,
habitat concerns, and other information
on emerging concerns for strategic
stocks that could be incorporated into
the SARs.
Alaska Reports
In 2021, NMFS reviewed new
information for 19 stocks in the Alaska
Region and revised five SARs under
NMFS’s jurisdiction: Four strategic
stocks and one non-strategic stock. A
list of the revised SARs in 2021 for the
Alaska region is presented in Table 1.
Information on the remaining Alaska
region stocks can be found in the final
2020 SARs (Muto et al. 2021).
TABLE 1—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL STOCKS IN THE ALASKA REGION REVISED IN 2021
Strategic stocks
•
•
•
•
Non-strategic stocks
• Dall’s porpoise, Alaska.*
Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific.*
Beluga whale, Cook Inlet.
Harbor porpoise, Southeast Alaska.*
Bowhead whale, Western Arctic.
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
Northern Fur Seal, Eastern Pacific
The updated abundance estimate for
the Eastern Pacific stock of northern fur
seals is 626,618 northern fur seals,
based on pup production estimates on
Sea Lion Rock (2014), on St. Paul and
St. George Islands (mean of 2014, 2016,
and 2018), and on Bogoslof Island
(mean of 2015 and 2019). This is an
increase from the previous estimate of
608,143 northern fur seals. The methods
for estimating the population size are
the same as previous years (the
population size is estimated as the
number of pups born at rookeries in the
eastern Bering Sea multiplied by a series
of expansion factors determined from a
previous life table analysis). The
updated minimum population estimate
is 530,376 northern fur seals. The
Eastern Pacific stock of northern fur
seals remains classified as a strategic
stock because it is designated as
depleted under the MMPA.
Harbor Porpoise, Southeast Alaska
The updated best estimate of
abundance (uncorrected for animals
missed on the trackline), derived from a
vessel survey in 2019, is 1,302 harbor
porpoise. This estimate is not
statistically different from the previous
(uncorrected) estimate of 975 in 2010–
2012. However, the estimates for both
2010–2012 and 2019 are for the inland
waters of Southeast Alaska, which is
only a portion of the range of this stock.
The updated minimum population
estimate for this stock is 1,057 porpoise.
Beluga Whale, Eastern Bering Sea
NMFS has temporarily withdrawn the
final 2020 Eastern Bering Sea Beluga
whale stock assessment report from the
NMFS website in order to consult with
the Alaska Beluga Whale Committee
(ABWC) on the change in the stock’s
status from non-strategic to strategic, as
is outlined in the NMFS–ABWC comanagement agreement. This has been
noted on the NOAA Fisheries website:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
national/marine-mammal-protection/
marine-mammal-stock-assessmentreports-species-stock#cetaceans---smallwhales.
NMFS is providing this information
for awareness only and is not seeking
public comment on the NMFS–ABWC
co-management agreement, nor the final
2020 Eastern Bering Sea Beluga whale
stock assessment report.
Atlantic Reports
In 2021, 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 23 SARs in the Atlantic
region (Table 2). No stocks changed in
status from ‘‘non-strategic’’ to
‘‘strategic.’’ Three Northern Gulf of
Mexico bay, sound and estuary stocks of
common bottlenose dolphin changed
from strategic to non-strategic
(Galveston Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay;
Mississippi River Delta; and Sabine
Lake). Previously, information for the
Galveston Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay
stock of common bottlenose dolphins
was contained within the report
‘‘Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Northern
Gulf of Mexico Bay, Sound, and Estuary
Stocks.’’ This stock now has its own
report. A list of the revised SARs in the
Atlantic region for 2021 is presented in
Table 2. Information on the remaining
Atlantic region stocks can be found in
the final 2020 SARs (Hayes et al. 2021).
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
TABLE 2—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL SARS IN THE ATLANTIC REGION REVISED IN 2021
Strategic stocks
Non-strategic stocks
•
•
•
•
North Atlantic right whale, Western North Atlantic (WNA).*
Fin whale, WNA.
Sei whale, Nova Scotia.
Common bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau.*
• Common bottlenose dolphin, Barataria Bay Estuarine System.*
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:00 Oct 22, 2021
Jkt 256001
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 4703
•
•
•
•
Common
Common
Common
Common
Shelf.*
• Common
Sfmt 4703
bottlenose
bottlenose
bottlenose
bottlenose
dolphin,
dolphin,
dolphin,
dolphin,
Gulf of Mexico Eastern Coastal.*
Gulf of Mexico Western Coastal.*
Gulf of Mexico Northern Coastal.*
Northern Gulf of Mexico Continental
bottlenose dolphin, West Bay.*
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 203 / Monday, October 25, 2021 / Notices
58889
TABLE 2—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL SARS IN THE ATLANTIC REGION REVISED IN 2021—Continued
Strategic stocks
Non-strategic stocks
• Common bottlenose dolphin, Northern Gulf of Mexico Bay, Sound,
and Estuary Stocks.**
• Common bottlenose dolphin, Galveston Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Atlantic white-sided dolphin, WNA.
Atlantic spotted dolphin, Northern Gulf of Mexico.*
Long-finned pilot whale, WNA.
Harp seal, WNA.*
Short-finned pilot whale, WNA.
Common Minke whale, Canadian East Coast.
Common dolphin, WNA.
Harbor porpoise, Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy.
Harbor seal, WNA.*
Gray seal, WNA.*
Risso’s dolphin, WNA.
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
** Excluding the Sabine Lake, Mississippi River Delta, and Sarasota Bay/Little Sarasota Bay stocks.
North Atlantic Right Whale, Western
North Atlantic
The new abundance estimate
calculated for the western North
Atlantic right whale stock is 368
individuals, which is a decrease from
the previous estimate of 412 individuals
contained in the 2020 report. This
updated estimate is based on a
published state-space model of the
sighting histories of individual whales
identified using photo-identification
techniques (Pace et al. 2017, Pace 2021)
and reflects the impacts of the ongoing
Unusual Mortality Event declared in
2017 for the species (NMFS 2021).
Harp Seal, Western Atlantic
Pacific Reports
Per recommendations by the Atlantic
Scientific Review Group, a PBR was
calculated for harp seal based on the
minimum estimate of abundance in
Canadian waters because there is no
known resident population in U.S.
waters. PBR for the western North
Atlantic harp seal is 426,000; previously
the PBR was reported as unknown. The
best estimate of abundance for western
North Atlantic harp seals, based on the
last 2017 survey, is 7.6 million (95
percent Confidence Intervals 6.5–8.8
million; DFO 2020).
In 2021, 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
22 stocks (6 strategic and 16 nonstrategic). A list of revised SARs in 2021
for the Pacific region is presented in
Table 3. Information on the remaining
Pacific region stocks can be found in the
final 2020 SARs (Carretta et al. 2021).
TABLE 3—LIST OF MARINE MAMMAL SARS IN THE PACIFIC REGION REVISED IN 2021
Strategic stocks
Non-strategic stocks
• False killer whale, Main Hawaiian Islands Insular.
• Hawaiian monk seal.*
•
•
•
•
• Baird’s beaked whale, California/Oregon/Washington.
• Common Bottlenose dolphin, California/Oregon/Washington Offshore.*
• Short-beaked common dolphin, California/Oregon/Washington.*
• Long-beaked common dolphin, California/Oregon/Washington.*
Killer whale, Eastern North Pacific Southern Resident.*
Humpback whale, California/Oregon/Washington.
Fin whale, California/Oregon/Washington.
Blue whale, Eastern North Pacific.
•
•
•
•
Dall’s porpoise, California/Oregon/Washington.
Harbor porpoise, Monterey Bay.*
Harbor porpoise, Morro Bay.*
Harbor porpoise, Northern California Southern Oregon.*
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Harbor porpoise, San Francisco Russian River.*
Minke whale, California/Oregon/Washington.
Northern Elephant seal, California breeding.
Northern right whale dolphin, California/Oregon/Washington.*
Pacific White-sided dolphin, California/Oregon/Washington.*
Striped dolphin, California/Oregon/Washington.*
False killer whale, Northwest Hawaiian Islands.*
False killer whale, Hawaii Pelagic.*
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
Updated Abundance Estimates for
California Current Stocks
The majority of the revised Pacific
SARs contain new abundance estimates
from the California Current Ecosystem
Survey using a consistent analysis
approach. Given the heterogeneity of the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:00 Oct 22, 2021
Jkt 256001
2018 survey coverage in the California
Coastal Ecosystem study area, Species
Distribution Models were used to
estimate abundance for numerous U.S.
West Coast marine mammal stocks
rather than using design-based
analytical approaches. The use of
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
species distribution models for density
and abundance estimation is wellestablished for this region and models
incorporate changes in species
abundance and habitat shifts over time.
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
58890
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 203 / Monday, October 25, 2021 / Notices
References
Carretta et al. 2021. U.S. Pacific Marine
Mammal Stock Assessments: 2020, U.S.
Department of Commerce, NOAA
Technical Memorandum NMFS–
SWFSC–646.
DFO 2020. 2019 status of Northwest Atlantic
harp seals, (Pagophilus groenlandicus).
Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Rep.
2020/020. 14 pp.
Hayes, S.A., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley,
P.E. Rosel, and J. Turek. 2021. US
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico marine
mammal stock assessments 2020. NOAA
Tech Memo NMFS–NE–271. 403 pp.
Muto, M. M., V. T. Helker, B. J. Delean, N.
C. Young, J. C. Freed, R. P. Angliss, N.
A. Friday, P. L. Boveng, J. M. Breiwick,
B. M. Brost, M. F. Cameron, P. J.
Clapham, J. L. Crance, S. P. Dahle, M. E.
Dahlheim, B. S. Fadely, M. C. Ferguson,
L. W. Fritz, K. T. Goetz, 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. 2021. Alaska
marine mammal stock assessments,
2020. U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech.
Memo. NMFS–AFSC–421, 398 p.
NMFS. 2021, August 11. 2017–2021 North
Atlantic Right Whale Unusual Mortality
Event. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
national/marine-life-distress/2017-2021north-atlantic-right-whale-unusualmortality-event.
Pace, R.M. 2021. Revisions and further
evaluations of the right whale abundance
model: improvements for hypothesis
testing. NOAA Tech Memo NMFS–NE
269. 54 pp.
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
Dated: October 19, 2021.
Evan Howell,
Director, Office of Science and Technology,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–23225 Filed 10–22–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing
System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee
Public Meeting
U.S. Integrated Ocean
Observing System (IOOS®), National
Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), Department of Commerce
(DOC).
ACTION: Notice of open meeting.
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Notice is hereby given of a
virtual meeting of the U. S. Integrated
Ocean Observing System (IOOS®)
Advisory Committee (Committee). The
meeting is open to the public and an
opportunity for oral and written
comments will be provided.
DATES: The meeting will be held
November 29, 2021, and December 06,
2021. The times and the agenda topics
described below are subject to change.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held
virtually. To register for the meeting
and/or submit public comments, use
this link https://forms.gle/qrem9uwCcy
jB1vHEA or email Laura.Gewain@
noaa.gov. Refer to the U.S. IOOS
Advisory Committee website at https://
ioos.noaa.gov/community/u-s-ioosadvisory-committee/ for the most up-todate information including the agenda
and dial-in information.
Instructions: The meeting will be
open to public participation each day
(check agenda on website to confirm
times). The Committee expects that
public statements presented at its
meetings will not be repetitive of
previously submitted verbal or written
statements. In general, each individual
or group making a verbal presentation
will be limited to a total time of three
(3) minutes. Written comments should
be received by the Designated Federal
Official by November 22, 2021, to
provide sufficient time for Committee
review. Written comments received after
November 22, 2021, will be distributed
to the Committee, but may not be
reviewed prior to the meeting date. To
submit written comments, please fill out
the brief form at https://forms.gle/
qrem9uwCcyjB1vHEA or email your
comments, your name as it appears on
your driver’s license, and the
organization/company affiliation you
represent to Laura Gewain, Laura.
Gewain@noaa.gov.
Special Accomodations: These
meetings are physically accessible to
people with disabilities. Requests for
sign language interpretation or other
auxiliary aids should be directed to
Krisa Arzayus, Designated Federal
Official by phone (240–533–9455) or
email (Krisa.Arzayus@noaa.gov) or
email Laura Gewain (Laura.Gewain@
noaa.gov) by November 15, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Krisa Arzayus, Designated Federal
Official, U.S. IOOS Advisory
Committee, U.S. IOOS Program, 1315
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
20910; Phone 240–533–9455; Fax 301–
713–3281; email krisa.arzayus@
noaa.gov or visit the U.S. IOOS
Advisory Committee website at https://
SUMMARY:
18:00 Oct 22, 2021
Jkt 256001
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
ioos.noaa.gov/community/u-s-ioosadvisory-committee/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Committee was established by the
NOAA Administrator as directed by
Section 12304 of the Integrated Coastal
and Ocean Observation System Act, part
of the Omnibus Public Land
Management Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111–
11), and reauthorized under the
Coordinated Ocean Observations and
Research Act of 2020 (Pub. L. No: 116–
271). The Committee advises the NOAA
Administrator and the Interagency
Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC)
on matters related to the responsibilities
and authorities set forth in section
12302 of the Integrated Coastal and
Ocean Observation System Act of 2009
and other appropriate matters as the
Under Secretary refers to the Committee
for review and advice.
The Committee will provide advice
on:
(a) Administration, operation,
management, and maintenance of the
Integrated Coastal and Ocean
Observation System (the System);
(b) expansion and periodic
modernization and upgrade of
technology components of the System;
(c) identification of end-user
communities, their needs for
information provided by the System,
and the System’s effectiveness in
disseminating information to end-user
communities and to the general public;
and
(d) additional priorities, including—
(1) a national surface current mapping
network designed to improve fine scale
sea surface mapping using high
frequency radar technology and other
emerging technologies to address
national priorities, including Coast
Guard search and rescue operation
planning and harmful algal bloom
forecasting and detection that—
(i) is comprised of existing high
frequency radar and other sea surface
current mapping infrastructure operated
by national programs and regional
coastal observing systems;
(ii) incorporates new high frequency
radar assets or other fine scale sea
surface mapping technology assets, and
other assets needed to fill gaps in
coverage on United States coastlines;
and
(iii) follows a deployment plan that
prioritizes closing gaps in high
frequency radar infrastructure in the
United States, starting with areas
demonstrating significant sea surface
current data needs, especially in areas
where additional data will improve
Coast Guard search and rescue models;
(2) fleet acquisition for unmanned
maritime systems for deployment and
E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM
25OCN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 203 (Monday, October 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58887-58890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23225]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XB302]
Draft 2021 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 2021 SARs. NMFS
is also requesting new information for strategic stocks that were not
updated in 2021.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 24, 2022.
ADDRESSES: The 2021 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 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT below).
You may submit comments or new information, identified by NOAA-
NMFS-2021-0130, through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and
enter NOAA-NMFS-2021-0130 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment''
icon, complete the required fields, and 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: 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 stock assessment reports (SARs) 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 SARs 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 or is
designated as depleted under the MMPA. NMFS and FWS are required to
revise a SAR if the status of the stock has changed or can be more
accurately determined.
In order to ensure that marine mammal SARs constitute the best
scientific information available, the updated SARs under NMFS's
jurisdiction are peer-reviewed within NOAA Fisheries Science Centers
and by members of three regional independent Scientific Review Groups,
established under the MMPA to independently advise NMFS. As a result of
the review, revision, and assessment of available data, the period
covered by the 2021
[[Page 58888]]
draft SARs is 2015 through 2019. While this results in a time lag, the
extensive peer review process ensures the best scientific information
is available in the SARs.
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's jurisdiction. As a result
of this review, NMFS revised a total of 50 SARs in the Alaska,
Atlantic, and Pacific regions to incorporate new information. The 2021
revisions to the SARs consist primarily of updated or revised human-
caused M/SI estimates and updated abundance estimates. No stocks
changed in status from ``non-strategic'' to ``strategic.'' Three stocks
changed in status from ``strategic'' to ``non-strategic.'' Highlights
of the draft 2021 SAR revisions are discussed below.
NMFS solicits public comments on the draft 2021 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 2021. Specifically, new relevant information could include
peer-reviewed information on human-caused M/SI, fishery interactions,
abundance, distribution, stock structure, habitat concerns, and other
information on emerging concerns for strategic stocks that could be
incorporated into the SARs.
Alaska Reports
In 2021, NMFS reviewed new information for 19 stocks in the Alaska
Region and revised five SARs under NMFS's jurisdiction: Four strategic
stocks and one non-strategic stock. A list of the revised SARs in 2021
for the Alaska region is presented in Table 1. Information on the
remaining Alaska region stocks can be found in the final 2020 SARs
(Muto et al. 2021).
Table 1--List of Marine Mammal Stocks in the Alaska Region Revised in
2021
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic stocks Non-strategic stocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern fur seal, Eastern Dall's porpoise,
Pacific.* Alaska.*
Beluga whale, Cook Inlet.
Harbor porpoise, Southeast
Alaska.*
Bowhead whale, Western Arctic.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
Northern Fur Seal, Eastern Pacific
The updated abundance estimate for the Eastern Pacific stock of
northern fur seals is 626,618 northern fur seals, based on pup
production estimates on Sea Lion Rock (2014), on St. Paul and St.
George Islands (mean of 2014, 2016, and 2018), and on Bogoslof Island
(mean of 2015 and 2019). This is an increase from the previous estimate
of 608,143 northern fur seals. The methods for estimating the
population size are the same as previous years (the population size is
estimated as the number of pups born at rookeries in the eastern Bering
Sea multiplied by a series of expansion factors determined from a
previous life table analysis). The updated minimum population estimate
is 530,376 northern fur seals. The Eastern Pacific stock of northern
fur seals remains classified as a strategic stock because it is
designated as depleted under the MMPA.
Harbor Porpoise, Southeast Alaska
The updated best estimate of abundance (uncorrected for animals
missed on the trackline), derived from a vessel survey in 2019, is
1,302 harbor porpoise. This estimate is not statistically different
from the previous (uncorrected) estimate of 975 in 2010-2012. However,
the estimates for both 2010-2012 and 2019 are for the inland waters of
Southeast Alaska, which is only a portion of the range of this stock.
The updated minimum population estimate for this stock is 1,057
porpoise.
Beluga Whale, Eastern Bering Sea
NMFS has temporarily withdrawn the final 2020 Eastern Bering Sea
Beluga whale stock assessment report from the NMFS website in order to
consult with the Alaska Beluga Whale Committee (ABWC) on the change in
the stock's status from non-strategic to strategic, as is outlined in
the NMFS-ABWC co-management agreement. This has been noted on the NOAA
Fisheries website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-species-stock#cetaceans---small-whales.
NMFS is providing this information for awareness only and is not
seeking public comment on the NMFS-ABWC co-management agreement, nor
the final 2020 Eastern Bering Sea Beluga whale stock assessment report.
Atlantic Reports
In 2021, 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 23 SARs in the
Atlantic region (Table 2). No stocks changed in status from ``non-
strategic'' to ``strategic.'' Three Northern Gulf of Mexico bay, sound
and estuary stocks of common bottlenose dolphin changed from strategic
to non-strategic (Galveston Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay; Mississippi
River Delta; and Sabine Lake). Previously, information for the
Galveston Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay stock of common bottlenose
dolphins was contained within the report ``Common Bottlenose Dolphin,
Northern Gulf of Mexico Bay, Sound, and Estuary Stocks.'' This stock
now has its own report. A list of the revised SARs in the Atlantic
region for 2021 is presented in Table 2. Information on the remaining
Atlantic region stocks can be found in the final 2020 SARs (Hayes et
al. 2021).
Table 2--List of Marine Mammal SARs in the Atlantic Region Revised in
2021
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic stocks Non-strategic stocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Atlantic right whale, Common bottlenose
Western North Atlantic (WNA).* dolphin, Gulf of Mexico
Eastern Coastal.*
Fin whale, WNA. Common bottlenose
dolphin, Gulf of Mexico
Western Coastal.*
Sei whale, Nova Scotia. Common bottlenose
dolphin, Gulf of Mexico
Northern Coastal.*
Common bottlenose dolphin, Common bottlenose
Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay dolphin, Northern Gulf of
Boudreau.* Mexico Continental Shelf.*
Common bottlenose dolphin, Common bottlenose
Barataria Bay Estuarine System.* dolphin, West Bay.*
[[Page 58889]]
Common bottlenose dolphin, Common bottlenose
Northern Gulf of Mexico Bay, Sound, and dolphin, Galveston Bay,
Estuary Stocks.** East Bay, Trinity Bay.
Atlantic white-
sided dolphin, WNA.
Atlantic spotted
dolphin, Northern Gulf of
Mexico.*
Long-finned pilot
whale, WNA.
Harp seal, WNA.*
Short-finned pilot
whale, WNA.
Common Minke whale,
Canadian East Coast.
Common dolphin,
WNA.
Harbor porpoise,
Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy.
Harbor seal, WNA.*
Gray seal, WNA.*
Risso's dolphin,
WNA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
** Excluding the Sabine Lake, Mississippi River Delta, and Sarasota Bay/
Little Sarasota Bay stocks.
North Atlantic Right Whale, Western North Atlantic
The new abundance estimate calculated for the western North
Atlantic right whale stock is 368 individuals, which is a decrease from
the previous estimate of 412 individuals contained in the 2020 report.
This updated estimate is based on a published state-space model of the
sighting histories of individual whales identified using photo-
identification techniques (Pace et al. 2017, Pace 2021) and reflects
the impacts of the ongoing Unusual Mortality Event declared in 2017 for
the species (NMFS 2021).
Harp Seal, Western Atlantic
Per recommendations by the Atlantic Scientific Review Group, a PBR
was calculated for harp seal based on the minimum estimate of abundance
in Canadian waters because there is no known resident population in
U.S. waters. PBR for the western North Atlantic harp seal is 426,000;
previously the PBR was reported as unknown. The best estimate of
abundance for western North Atlantic harp seals, based on the last 2017
survey, is 7.6 million (95 percent Confidence Intervals 6.5-8.8
million; DFO 2020).
Pacific Reports
In 2021, 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 22 stocks (6 strategic and 16 non-
strategic). A list of revised SARs in 2021 for the Pacific region is
presented in Table 3. Information on the remaining Pacific region
stocks can be found in the final 2020 SARs (Carretta et al. 2021).
Table 3--List of Marine Mammal SARs in the Pacific Region Revised in
2021
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic stocks Non-strategic stocks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
False killer whale, Main Hawaiian Baird's beaked
Islands Insular. whale, California/Oregon/
Washington.
Hawaiian monk seal.* Common Bottlenose
dolphin, California/Oregon/
Washington Offshore.*
Killer whale, Eastern North Short-beaked common
Pacific Southern Resident.* dolphin, California/Oregon/
Washington.*
Humpback whale, California/Oregon/ Long-beaked common
Washington. dolphin, California/Oregon/
Washington.*
Fin whale, California/Oregon/
Washington.
Blue whale, Eastern North Dall's porpoise,
Pacific. California/Oregon/
Washington.
Harbor porpoise,
Monterey Bay.*
Harbor porpoise,
Morro Bay.*
Harbor porpoise,
Northern California
Southern Oregon.*
............................
Harbor porpoise,
San Francisco Russian
River.*
Minke whale,
California/Oregon/
Washington.
Northern Elephant
seal, California breeding.
Northern right
whale dolphin, California/
Oregon/Washington.*
Pacific White-sided
dolphin, California/Oregon/
Washington.*
Striped dolphin,
California/Oregon/
Washington.*
False killer whale,
Northwest Hawaiian
Islands.*
False killer whale,
Hawaii Pelagic.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Includes updated abundance estimates.
Updated Abundance Estimates for California Current Stocks
The majority of the revised Pacific SARs contain new abundance
estimates from the California Current Ecosystem Survey using a
consistent analysis approach. Given the heterogeneity of the 2018
survey coverage in the California Coastal Ecosystem study area, Species
Distribution Models were used to estimate abundance for numerous U.S.
West Coast marine mammal stocks rather than using design-based
analytical approaches. The use of species distribution models for
density and abundance estimation is well-established for this region
and models incorporate changes in species abundance and habitat shifts
over time.
[[Page 58890]]
References
Carretta et al. 2021. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments:
2020, U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-
SWFSC-646.
DFO 2020. 2019 status of Northwest Atlantic harp seals, (Pagophilus
groenlandicus). Department of Fisheries and Oceans. DFO Can. Sci.
Advis. Sec. Sci. Rep. 2020/020. 14 pp.
Hayes, S.A., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley, P.E. Rosel, and J. Turek.
2021. US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico marine mammal stock assessments
2020. NOAA Tech Memo NMFS-NE-271. 403 pp.
Muto, M. M., V. T. Helker, B. J. Delean, N. C. Young, J. C. Freed,
R. P. Angliss, N. A. Friday, P. L. Boveng, J. M. Breiwick, B. M.
Brost, M. F. Cameron, P. J. Clapham, J. L. Crance, S. P. Dahle, M.
E. Dahlheim, B. S. Fadely, M. C. Ferguson, L. W. Fritz, K. T. Goetz,
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.
2021. Alaska marine mammal stock assessments, 2020. U.S. Dep.
Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-AFSC-421, 398 p.
NMFS. 2021, August 11. 2017-2021 North Atlantic Right Whale Unusual
Mortality Event. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/2017-2021-north-atlantic-right-whale-unusual-mortality-event.
Pace, R.M. 2021. Revisions and further evaluations of the right
whale abundance model: improvements for hypothesis testing. NOAA
Tech Memo NMFS-NE 269. 54 pp.
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
Dated: October 19, 2021.
Evan Howell,
Director, Office of Science and Technology, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-23225 Filed 10-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
