Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act, 68452-68456 [2021-26225]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 229 (Thursday, December 2, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68452-68456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26225]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 223 and 224

[Docket No. 211129-0246; RTID 0648-XR118]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding on a Petition 
To List the Atlantic Humpback Dolphin as Threatened or Endangered Under 
the Endangered Species Act

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

ACTION: 90-Day petition finding, request for information, and 
initiation of status review.

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SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the 
Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) as threatened or endangered 
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition 
presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating 
that the petitioned action may be warranted. Therefore, we are 
initiating a status review of the species to determine whether listing 
under the ESA is warranted. To ensure this status review is 
comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information 
regarding this species.

DATES: Scientific and commercial information pertinent to the 
petitioned action must be received by January 31, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2021-0110 by the following method:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2021-0110 in the Search box. 
Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter 
or attach your comments.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. 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).
    Interested persons may obtain a copy of the petition online at the 
NMFS website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/petitions-awaiting-90-day-findings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Austin, NMFS Office of 
Protected Resources, (301) 427-8422, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On September 8, 2021, we received a petition from the Animal 
Welfare Institute, the Center for Biological Diversity, and VIVA 
Vaquita to list the Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) as a 
threatened or endangered species under the ESA. The petition asserts 
that Sousa teuszii is threatened by four of the five ESA section 
4(a)(1) factors: (1) The present destruction or modification of its 
habitat; (2) overutilization for commercial purposes; (3) inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; and (4) manmade factors affecting its 
continued existence. The petition is available online (see ADDRESSES).

ESA Statutory, Regulatory, and Policy Provisions and Evaluation 
Framework

    Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the ESA of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.), requires, to the maximum extent practicable, that within 90 
days of receipt of a petition to list a species as threatened or 
endangered, the Secretary of Commerce make a finding on whether that 
petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information 
indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted, and to promptly 
publish such finding in the Federal Register (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(3)(A)). 
When it is found that substantial scientific or commercial information 
in a petition indicates the petitioned action may be warranted (a 
``positive 90-day finding''), we are required to promptly commence a 
review of the status of the species concerned during which we will 
conduct a comprehensive review of the best available scientific and 
commercial information. In such cases, we conclude

[[Page 68453]]

the review with a finding as to whether, in fact, the petitioned action 
is warranted within 12 months of receipt of the petition. Because the 
finding at the 12-month stage is based on a more thorough review of the 
available information, as compared to the narrow scope of review at the 
90-day stage, a ``may be warranted'' finding does not prejudge the 
outcome of the status review.
    Under the ESA, a listing determination may address a species, which 
is defined to also include subspecies and, for any vertebrate species, 
any distinct population segment (DPS) that interbreeds when mature (16 
U.S.C. 1532(16)). A joint NMFS-U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 
(jointly, ``the Services'') policy clarifies the agencies' 
interpretation of the phrase ``distinct population segment'' for the 
purposes of listing, delisting, and reclassifying a species under the 
ESA (61 FR 4722; February 7, 1996). A species, subspecies, or DPS is 
``endangered'' if it is in danger of extinction throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range, and ``threatened'' if it is likely to 
become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range (ESA sections 3(6) and 3(20), 
respectively, 16 U.S.C. 1532(6) and (20)). Pursuant to the ESA and our 
implementing regulations, we determine whether species are threatened 
or endangered based on any one or a combination of the following five 
section 4(a)(1) factors: (1) The present or threatened destruction, 
modification, or curtailment of habitat or range; (2) overutilization 
for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (3) 
disease or predation; (4) inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms 
to address identified threats; (5) or any other natural or manmade 
factors affecting the species' existence (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1), 50 CFR 
424.11(c)).
    ESA-implementing regulations issued jointly by NMFS and USFWS (50 
CFR 424.14(h)(1)(i)) define ``substantial scientific or commercial 
information'' in the context of reviewing a petition to list, delist, 
or reclassify a species as ``credible scientific or commercial 
information in support of the petition's claims such that a reasonable 
person conducting an impartial scientific review would conclude that 
the action proposed in the petition may be warranted.'' Conclusions 
drawn in the petition without the support of credible scientific or 
commercial information will not be considered ``substantial 
information.'' In reaching the initial (90-day) finding on the 
petition, we will consider the information described in sections 50 CFR 
424.14(c), (d), and (g) (if applicable).
    Our determination as to whether the petition provides substantial 
scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned 
action may be warranted will depend in part on the degree to which the 
petition includes the following types of information: (1) Information 
on current population status and trends and estimates of current 
population sizes and distributions, both in captivity and the wild, if 
available; (2) identification of the factors under section 4(a)(1) of 
the ESA that may affect the species and where these factors are acting 
upon the species; (3) whether and to what extent any or all of the 
factors alone or in combination identified in section 4(a)(1) of the 
ESA may cause the species to be an endangered species or threatened 
species (i.e, the species is currently in danger of extinction or is 
likely to become so within the foreseeable future), and, if so, how 
high in magnitude and how imminent the threats to the species and its 
habitat are; (4) information on adequacy of regulatory protections and 
effectiveness of conservation activities by States as well as other 
parties, that have been initiated or that are ongoing, that may protect 
the species or its habitat; and (5) a complete, balanced representation 
of the relevant facts, including information that may contradict claims 
in the petition. See 50 CFR 424.14(d).
    If the petitioner provides supplemental information before the 
initial finding is made and states that it is part of the petition, the 
new information, along with the previously submitted information, is 
treated as a new petition that supersedes the original petition, and 
the statutory timeframes will begin when such supplemental information 
is received. See 50 CFR 424.14(g).
    We may also consider information readily available at the time the 
determination is made (50 CFR 424.14(h)(1)(ii)). We are not required to 
consider any supporting materials cited by the petitioner if the 
petitioner does not provide electronic or hard copies, to the extent 
permitted by U.S. copyright law, or appropriate excerpts or quotations 
from those materials (e.g., publications, maps, reports, letters from 
authorities). See 50 CFR 424.14(c)(6).
    The ``substantial scientific or commercial information'' standard 
must be applied in light of any prior reviews or findings we have made 
on the listing status of the species that is the subject of the 
petition (50 CFR 424.14(h)(1)(iii)). Where we have already conducted a 
finding on, or review of, the listing status of that species (whether 
in response to a petition or on our own initiative), we will evaluate 
any petition received thereafter seeking to list, delist, or reclassify 
that species to determine whether a reasonable person conducting an 
impartial scientific review would conclude that the action proposed in 
the petition may be warranted despite the previous review or finding. 
Where the prior review resulted in a final agency action--such as a 
final listing determination, 90-day not-substantial finding, or 12-
month not-warranted finding--a petition will generally not be 
considered to present substantial scientific and commercial information 
indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted unless the 
petition provides new information or analysis not previously 
considered. See 50 CFR 424.14(h)(1)(iii).
    At the 90-day finding stage, we do not conduct additional research, 
and we do not solicit information from parties outside the agency to 
help us in evaluating the petition. We will accept the petitioners' 
sources and characterizations of the information presented if they 
appear to be based on accepted scientific principles, unless we have 
specific information in our files that indicates the petition's 
information is incorrect, unreliable, obsolete, or otherwise irrelevant 
to the requested action. Information that is susceptible to more than 
one interpretation or that is contradicted by other available 
information will not be dismissed at the 90-day finding stage, so long 
as it is reliable and a reasonable person conducting an impartial 
scientific review would conclude it supports the petitioners' 
assertions. In other words, conclusive information indicating the 
species may meet the ESA's requirements for listing is not required to 
make a positive 90-day finding. We will not conclude that a lack of 
specific information alone necessitates a negative 90-day finding if a 
reasonable person conducting an impartial scientific review would 
conclude that the unknown information itself suggests the species may 
be at risk of extinction presently or within the foreseeable future.
    To make a 90-day finding on a petition to list a species, we first 
evaluate whether the information presented in the petition, in light of 
the information readily available in our files, indicates that the 
petitioned entity constitutes a ``species'' eligible for listing under 
the ESA. Next, if we conclude the petition presents substantial 
scientific or commercial information suggesting that the petitioned 
entity may constitute a

[[Page 68454]]

``species,'' we evaluate whether the information indicates that the 
species may face an extinction risk such that listing, delisting, or 
reclassification may be warranted; this may be indicated in information 
expressly discussing the species' status and trends, or in information 
describing impacts and threats to the species. We evaluate whether the 
petition presents any information on specific demographic factors 
pertinent to evaluating extinction risk for the species (e.g., 
population abundance and trends, productivity, spatial structure, age 
structure, sex ratio, diversity, current and historical range, habitat 
integrity or fragmentation), and the potential contribution of 
identified demographic risks to extinction risk for the species. We 
then evaluate whether the petition presents information suggesting 
potential links between these demographic risks and the causative 
impacts and threats identified in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA.
    Information presented on impacts or threats should be specific to 
the species and should reasonably suggest that one or more of these 
factors may be operative threats that act or have acted on the species 
to the point that it may warrant protection under the ESA. Broad 
statements about generalized threats to the species, or identification 
of factors that could negatively impact a species, do not constitute 
substantial information indicating that listing may be warranted. We 
look for information indicating that not only is the particular species 
exposed to a factor, but that the species may be responding in a 
negative fashion; then we assess the potential significance of that 
negative response.
    Many petitions identify risk classifications made by 
nongovernmental organizations, such as the International Union on the 
Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the American Fisheries Society, or 
NatureServe, as evidence of extinction risk for a species. Risk 
classifications by such organizations or made under other Federal or 
state statutes may be informative, but such classification alone may 
not provide the rationale for a positive 90-day finding under the ESA. 
For example, as explained by NatureServe, their assessments of a 
species' conservation status do ``not constitute a recommendation by 
NatureServe for listing under the U.S. ESA'' because NatureServe 
assessments ``have different criteria, evidence requirements, purposes, 
and taxonomic coverage than official lists of endangered and threatened 
species'', and therefore these two types of lists should not be 
expected to ``coincide'' (https://explorer.natureserve.org/AboutTheData/DataTypes/ConservationStatusCategories). Additionally, 
species classifications under IUCN and the ESA are not equivalent; data 
standards, criteria used to evaluate species, and treatment of 
uncertainty are also not necessarily the same. Thus, when a petition 
cites such classifications, we will evaluate the source of information 
that the classification is based upon in light of the standards on 
extinction risk and impacts or threats discussed above.

Taxonomy

    The petition presents information on the taxonomy of the species, 
including information and references regarding the earliest description 
of the species primarily on differences in the skull compared to other 
humpback dolphins known at the time (K[uuml]kenthal 1891, Collins 2015, 
Collins et al. 2017). The distinctness of the species from other 
humpback dolphins has been questioned over the years (Ross et al. 
1995), but more recent genetic and morphological work (Jefferson and 
Van Waerebeek 2004, Mendez et al. 2013, Jefferson and Rosenbaum 2014) 
has clarified the taxonomy of the genus Sousa and provides multiple 
lines of evidence that S. teuszii is a species separate from the other 
three of the genus Sousa: S. plumbea (Indian Ocean humpback dolphin), 
S. chinensis (Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin), and S. sahulensis 
(Australian humpback dolphin) (Jefferson and Rosenbaum 2014). Thus, we 
conclude that the petitioned entity, S. teuszii, constitutes a 
taxonomically distinct species eligible for listing under the ESA.

Distribution, Habitat, and Life History

    The Atlantic humpback dolphin is described as an obligate shallow 
water dolphin and is endemic to the tropical and subtropical eastern 
Atlantic nearshore waters (<30 m) of western Africa, ranging from 
Western Sahara to Angola (Collins 2015, Weir and Collins 2015). This 
species is the only member of the genus that occurs outside of the 
Indo-Pacific region (Mendez et al. 2013, Jefferson and Rosenbaum 2014, 
Collins 2015). Although each of the 19 countries between (and 
including) Western Sahara and Angola are presumed to be part of the 
species' natural range, the current distribution is uncertain given 
incomplete research coverage, including an absence of survey effort in 
many areas. Currently, there are only confirmed records of occurrence 
in the following 13 countries: Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, The 
Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, 
Republic of the Congo, and Angola (Minton et al. 2020). The 6 countries 
with no confirmed records (Sierra Leone, Liberia, C[ocirc]te d'Ivoire, 
Ghana, mainland Equatorial Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of the 
Congo) are poorly studied and have received little or no systematic 
cetacean or coastal research (Collins et al. 2017). Work conducted in 
Ghana by Van Waerebeek et al. (2009) confirms the absence of S. teuszii 
records, which may be due to localized extirpation of the species in 
Ghanaian waters. The species is not known to occur around any of the 
larger offshore islands of the Gulf of Guinea, including Sao Tome and 
Principe or Bioko (Fernando P[oacute]o) and Annabon (Pagalu) (Van 
Waerebeek et al. 2004). Eleven putative ``management stocks'' (i.e 
subpopulations) of S. teuszii have been recognized based on localities 
or countries where the species has been recorded and evidence of gaps 
in the species' range (Van Waerebeek et al. 2004, Collins 2015, Collins 
et al. 2017).
    Migrations and movements are poorly understood largely because 
tagging work has never been done on this species (Collins et al. 2017). 
Localized movements have been linked to feeding opportunities 
facilitated by tides, where Atlantic humpback dolphins feed primarily 
on coastal, estuarine, and reef-associated fishes (Busnel 1973, Collins 
2015, Collins et al. 2017). Large-scale migrations are rarely 
documented but have been inferred using local accounts and sightings 
from fishermen, and smaller-scale shifts in abundance have been 
postulated (based on fragmentary evidence) (Collins 2015, Collins et 
al. 2017). However, movements across national boundaries have been 
documented, and records elsewhere suggest transboundary movements 
(Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017).
    The Atlantic humpback dolphin has specific habitat requirements, 
which could limit its resilience and ability to escape environmental 
and anthropogenic stressors (Collins 2015). It occurs exclusively in 
shallow (<30 m) depths, in warm nearshore waters (average sea surface 
temperatures ranging from 15.8[deg] to 31.8[deg] Celsius), and in 
dynamic habitats strongly influenced by tidal patterns (e.g., 
sandbanks, deltas, estuaries, and mangrove systems) (Collins 2015, Weir 
and Collins 2015, Taylor et al. 2020).
    Data and information regarding life history and reproduction 
parameters are almost nonexistent for this species. An estimated 
generation length of 18.4 years is given for the Atlantic humpback 
dolphin, although a figure closer to 25 years is provided for the Indo-
Pacific humpback dolphin (S. chinensis) and

[[Page 68455]]

Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (S. plumbea) (Collins 2015, Collins et 
al. 2017). Births are thought to occur in March and April, based upon 
observations of juveniles (Van Waerebeek et al. 2004, Collins 2015). 
The species is suspected to be sexually dimorphic (males larger at 
maturity and with a more prominent dorsal hump), but the current sample 
size (~20 individuals) is too small to assess this statistically 
(Jefferson and Rosenbaum 2014).

Abundance and Population Trends

    Abundance data are very limited for S. teuszii and robust abundance 
estimates are lacking for most stocks. However, approximate, general 
estimates have been made for the 11 recognized stocks (which are 
subjective and based on the knowledge of a limited number of 
researchers) and range from the tens to low hundreds of individuals per 
stock (Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017).
    Comprehensive reviews conducted by Collins (2015) and Collins et 
al. (2017) on all available S. teuszii population biology data, 
reinforce general inferences of small total population size. These 
reviews concluded that the species probably includes fewer than 3,000 
individuals (Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017). If it is assumed that 
50 percent of these are mature individuals, then the number of mature 
individuals in the total population would be no more than 1,500 
(Collins et al. 2017, Brownell et al. 2019).
    Because robust abundance estimates for this species are lacking, 
there are no quantitative assessments of population trends and status. 
However, the evidence of recent work in some areas and a consensus of 
expert opinions indicate that most stocks of S. teuszii are small and 
that all stocks have experienced significant declines in recent decades 
(Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017). Limited research effort for each 
putative S. teuszii stock has either identified significant mortality 
or yielded strong evidence to infer it (Van Waerebeek et al. 2004, 
Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017). According to Collins (2015) and 
Collins et al. (2017), artisanal fishing bycatch and directed takes are 
the principal causes of these declines, although these authors also 
suggest that habitat loss is likely a contributing factor as well. 
Reported dolphin bycatch has been coupled with observed or suspected 
declines of S. teuszii in Guinea-Bissau, which together with 
neighboring Guinea, is believed to host the largest population of the 
species (Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017).
    In summary, while data on abundance and population trends are 
largely absent, the information presented in the petition indicates 
that the species consists of small, fragmented stocks, and may be 
declining across its range.

Analysis of ESA Section 4(a)(1) Factors

    The petition asserts that S. teuszii is threatened by four of the 
five ESA section 4(a)(1) factors: The present destruction or 
modification of its habitat due to pollution and development, 
overutilization for commercial purposes via fisheries bycatch, 
inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms, and manmade factors 
affecting its continued existence, including fisheries bycatch and prey 
depletion, deliberate capture, coastal development, and anthropogenic 
noise. Information in the petition and readily available in our files 
indicates that the primary threat facing the species is fisheries 
bycatch. Therefore, we focus our discussion below on the evidence of 
this particular threat. However, we note that in the status review for 
this species, we will evaluate all ESA section 4(a)(1) factors to 
determine whether any one or a combination of these factors are causing 
declines in the species or are likely to substantially negatively 
affect the species within the foreseeable future to such a point that 
the Atlantic humpback dolphin is at risk of extinction or likely to 
become so in the foreseeable future.

Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or 
Educational Purposes

    According to information cited in the petition and readily 
available in our files, the greatest threat to the Atlantic humpback 
dolphin is fisheries bycatch. Bycatch of Atlantic humpback dolphins in 
artisanal gillnets is considered widespread throughout the species' 
range (Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017, Jefferson 2019). This threat 
has been identified or suspected throughout much of the species' range 
and for as long as the species has been studied (Van Waerebeek et al. 
2004, Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017, Brownell et al. 2019, 
Jefferson 2019).
    Work in Conkouati Douli National Park (Republic of the Congo) 
provides some indication of the potential scale of S. teuszii bycatch 
and substantial bycatch risk for the species (Collins 2015). An 
intensive monitoring, enforcement, and cooperative (incentivized) 
reporting program identified 19 dolphins that were caught as bycatch 
over 5 years across all artisanal landing sites (n = 14) along a 60-km 
stretch of protected beach (Collins 2015). Out of the 19 dolphins 
caught as bycatch, 10 were identified as S. teuszii, and the testimony 
of fishermen showed that all were caught in gillnets less than 1 
kilometer from shore (Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017). While 
mortality figures have been reported for other areas including Banc 
d'Arguin and the Saloum Delta, the monitoring of bycatch in these 
aforementioned areas is either non-existent or limited to very few 
landing sites (Van Waerebeek et al. 2004, Collins 2015, Collins et al. 
2017). Thus, the reported bycatch figures are likely to be 
underestimates of the true level of mortality.
    Although there is no evidence of any organized, directed fisheries 
for S. teuszii, there is a concern that bycatch can develop into 
``directed entanglement'' or ``non-target-deliberate acquisition'', 
where fishermen may intentionally try to catch Atlantic humpback 
dolphins in gillnets originally intended for other species (especially 
if there is a market for such catches) (Clapham and Van Waerebeek 2007, 
Collins 2015). While the scale of this practice is unknown, the use of 
cetaceans for human consumption has been documented in West Africa 
which provides a potential market for cetacean products and reflects 
general fisheries declines (Van Waerebeek et al. 2004, Clapham and Van 
Waerebeek 2007, Collins 2015, Jefferson 2019). Clapham and Van 
Waerebeek (2007) noted that market surveys conducted in West African 
coastal nations indicated that the sale and consumption of cetacean and 
sea turtle products is common. Additionally, these sales contribute to 
the economic viability of gillnet fisheries in Ghana, which includes 
killing of live entangled animals, and using dolphin meat as bait (Van 
Waerebeek et al. 2004, Clapham and Van Waerebeek 2007, Collins 2015). 
However, it is important to note that because captures may be 
concealed, given legal prohibitions, acquiring reliable data from 
surveys remains a challenge in some areas (Van Waerebeek et al. 2004, 
Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017).
    The extensive spread of migrant fishermen across western Africa 
over the past few decades is a related concern, which can augment 
existing fisheries bycatch issues in areas (or even bring these issues 
to areas where they did not previously exist) (Collins 2015, Collins et 
al. 2017). Migrant fishermen (including those who move within 
countries) may not abide by local regulations, injunctions, taboos, or 
laws, and are often better equipped and more aggressive in their 
exploitation of local resources (Collins 2015). They have

[[Page 68456]]

been implicated in the captures of S. teuszii in areas adjacent to the 
Banc d'Arguin (Collins 2015). Additionally, Collins (2015) notes that 
migrant fishermen from Senegal, Guinea (Conakry), and Sierra Leone have 
been found exploiting waters of Guinea-Bissau, which does not have a 
strong fishing tradition, and thus the artisanal fishing tradition is 
limited in this country's waters. However, captures of dolphins and 
manatees, along with declines of nesting sea turtles have been 
reported, thus raising concern for S. teuszii (Collins 2015, Collins et 
al. 2017).
    In general, declines in other target fish species may affect the 
Atlantic humpback dolphin population by increasing artisanal fishing 
effort and pressure, leading to increased bycatch risk for the species 
(Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017). Industrial fisheries compound this 
issue by competing for increasingly scant resources, as well as fishing 
in zones set aside for artisanal fishermen and areas where dolphins are 
known to occur (Collins 2015, Collins et al. 2017). For example, 
Collins (2015) notes that trawlers fishing illegally within Conkouati 
Douli National Park (Republic of the Congo) impel artisanal fishermen 
to set their nets closer to shore (for fear of losing their nets in 
trawls), raising bycatch risks for coastal species, like S. teuszii.
    Overall, the information presented in the petition and briefly 
summarized here regarding the Atlantic humpback dolphin's specific 
habitat requirements, low estimated abundance, fragmented distribution, 
and the immediate threat of fisheries bycatch and potential targeted 
harvest lead us to conclude that listing the species as threatened or 
endangered may be warranted.

Petition Finding

    After reviewing the petition, the literature cited in the petition, 
and other information readily available in our files, we find that 
listing S. teuszii as a threatened or endangered species may be 
warranted. Therefore, in accordance with section 4(b)(3)(A) of the ESA 
and NMFS' implementing regulations (50 CFR 424.14(h)(2)), we will 
commence a status review of this species. During the status review, we 
will determine whether S. teuszii is in danger of extinction 
(endangered) or likely to become so in the foreseeable future 
(threatened) throughout all or a significant portion of its range. As 
required by section 4(b)(3)(B) of the ESA, within 12 months of the 
receipt of the petition (September 8, 2021), we will make a finding as 
to whether listing the Atlantic humpback dolphin as an endangered or 
threatened species is warranted. If listing is warranted, we will 
publish a proposed rule and solicit public comments before developing 
and publishing a final rule.

Information Solicited

    To ensure that the status review is based on the best available 
scientific and commercial data, we are soliciting comments and 
information from interested parties on the status of the Atlantic 
humpback dolphin. Specifically, we are soliciting information in the 
following areas:
    (1) Historical and current abundance and population trends of S. 
teuszii throughout its range;
    (2) Historical and current distribution and population structure of 
S. teuszii;
    (3) Information on S. teuszii site fidelity, population 
connectivity, and movements within and between populations (including 
estimates of genetic diversity across and within populations);
    (4) Historical and current condition of S. teuszii habitat;
    (5) Information on S. teuszii life history and reproductive 
parameters;
    (6) Data on S. teuszii diet and prey;
    (7) Information and data on common S. teuszii disease(s) and/or 
contaminant exposure;
    (8) Historical and current data on S. teuszii catch, bycatch, and 
retention in industrial, commercial, artisanal, and recreational 
fisheries throughout its range;
    (9) Past, current, and potential threats, including any current or 
planned activities that may adversely impact S. teuszii over the short-
term or long-term;
    (10) Data on trade of S. teuszii products; and
    (11) Management, regulatory, or conservation programs for S. 
teuszii, including mitigation measures related to any known or 
potential threats to the species throughout its range.
    We request that all data and information be accompanied by 
supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or 
reprints of pertinent publications. Please send any comments in 
accordance with the instructions provided in the ADDRESSES section 
above. We will base our findings on a review of the best available 
scientific and commercial data, including relevant information received 
during the public comment period.

References Cited

    A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon 
request (See FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

    Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: November 29, 2021.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-26225 Filed 12-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P