[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 2, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27451-27452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09241]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XC960]
Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-
Year Review for the Taiwanese Humpback Dolphin
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation; request for information.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the
Taiwanese humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis). NMFS is
required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews
to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The
5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data
available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such
information on the Taiwanese humpback dolphin, particularly information
on the status, threats, and recovery of the species that has become
available since it was listed in 2018.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must
receive your information no later than July 3, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2023-0064, by the following method:
Electronic Submission: Submit electronic information via
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and
enter NOAA-NMFS-2023-0064 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment''
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Instructions: Information sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the specified
period, may not be considered by NMFS. All information received is 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.),
[[Page 27452]]
confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected
information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly
accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous submissions (enter ``N/A'' in
the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Austin at (301) 427-8422 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of the
Taiwanese humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis) listed as
endangered under the ESA. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that
we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years. This
will be the first review of this species since it was listed in 2018
under the ESA. The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish
a notice in the Federal Register announcing species currently under
active review. On the basis of such reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B),
we determine whether any species should be removed from the list (i.e.,
delisted) or reclassified from endangered to threatened or from
threatened to endangered (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(2)(B)). As described by the
regulations in 50 CFR 424.11(e), the Secretary shall delist a species
if the Secretary finds that, after conducting a status review based on
the best scientific and commercial data available: (1) the species is
extinct; (2) the species does not meet the definition of an endangered
species or a threatened species; and/or (3) the listed entity does not
meet the statutory definition of a species. Any change in Federal
classification would require a separate rulemaking process.
Background information on the species is available on the NMFS
website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/taiwanese-humpback-dolphin.
Public Solicitation of New Information
To ensure that the review is complete and based on the best
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new
information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the
scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other
interested parties concerning the status of Sousa chinensis
taiwanensis. Categories of requested information include: (1) species
biology including, but not limited to, population trends, distribution,
abundance, demographics, and genetics; (2) habitat conditions
including, but not limited to, amount, distribution, and important
features for conservation; (3) status and trends of threats to the
species and its habitats; (4) conservation measures that have been
implemented that benefit the species, including monitoring data
demonstrating effectiveness of such measures; and (5) other new
information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to,
taxonomic or nomenclatural changes and improved analytical methods for
evaluating extinction risk.
If you wish to provide information for the review, you may submit
your information and materials electronically (see ADDRESSES section).
We request that all information be accompanied by supporting
documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or reprints of
pertinent publications.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: April 27, 2023.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-09241 Filed 5-1-23; 8:45 am]
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