National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration April 22, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, NMFS, are extending the date by which a final determination will be made regarding the April 20, 2007, proposed rule to list a Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of beluga whale, Delphinapterus leucas, found in Cook Inlet, Alaska, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We believe that substantial disagreement exists regarding the population trend, and that allowing an additional 6 months to obtain the 2008 abundance estimate would better inform our final determination as to whether the Cook Inlet beluga whale should be listed as endangered under the ESA.

Notice is hereby given that Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1255 West 8th Street, Juneau, AK, 99811 (Doug Larsen, Responsible Party) has been issued a permit to collect, receive, import/export, and conduct scientific research on marine mammal specimens.