[Federal Register: February 6, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 25)]
[Notices]
[Page 6994-6996]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06fe08-78]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Reports
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of draft revised marine mammal stock
assessment reports for three stocks of northern sea otters in Alaska;
request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA),
the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has developed draft revised
marine mammal stock assessment reports for the three stocks of northern
sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in Alaska, which are available for
public review and comment.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 6, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft revised stock assessment reports for
northern sea otters in Alaska are available from the Marine Mammals
Management Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor
Road, Anchorage, AK 99503 (800) 362-5148.
If you wish to submit comments on the draft revised stock
assessment reports for northern sea otters in Alaska, you may do so by
either of the following methods:
1. You may submit written comments to the Manager, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management Office, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503.
2. You may hand-deliver written comments to our Marine Mammals
Management Office at the above address during normal business hours
from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or you may fax your
comments to 907/786-3816.
[[Page 6995]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: One of the goals of the MMPA is to ensure
that stocks of marine mammals occurring in waters under the
jurisdiction of the United States do not experience a level of human-
caused mortality and serious injury that is likely to cause the stock
to be reduced below its optimum sustainable population level (OSP). OSP
is defined as ``* * * the number of animals which will result in the
maximum productivity of the population or the species, keeping in mind
the carrying capacity of the habitat and the health of the ecosystem of
which they form a constituent element.''
To help accomplish the goal of maintaining marine mammal stocks at
their OSPs, section 117 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407) requires the
Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prepare
stock assessment reports for each marine mammal stock that occurs in
waters under the jurisdiction of the United States. These stock
assessments are to be based on the best scientific information
available and are, therefore, prepared in consultation with established
regional scientific review groups. Each stock assessment must include:
(1) A description of the stock and its geographic range; (2) minimum
population estimate, maximum net productivity rate, and current
population trend; (3) estimate of human-caused mortality and serious
injury; (4) commercial fishery interactions; (5) status of the stock;
and (6) potential biological removal level (PBR). The PBR is defined 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 OSP.'' The PBR is the
product of the minimum population estimate of the stock
(Nmin), one-half the maximum theoretical or estimated net
productivity rate of the stock at a small population size
(Rmax); and a recovery factor (Fr) of between 0.1
and 1.0, which is intended to compensate for uncertainty and unknown
estimation errors.
Section 117 of the MMPA also requires the Service and the NMFS to
review and revise the stock assessment reports: (a) At least annually
for stocks that are specified as strategic stocks; (b) at least
annually for stocks for which significant new information is available;
and (c) at least once every 3 years for all other stocks.
A strategic stock is defined in the MMPA as a marine mammal stock:
(A) For which the level of direct human-caused mortality exceeds the
potential biological removal level; (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 of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), within the foreseeable
future; or (C) which is listed as a threatened or endangered species
under the Endangered Species Act, or is designated as depleted under
the MMPA.
A summary of the draft revised stock assessment reports is
presented in Table 1. The table lists the stock=s Nmin,
Rmax, Fr, PBR, annual estimated human-caused
mortality and serious injury, and the status. After consideration of
any public comments received, the Service will revise the stock
assessments, as appropriate. We will publish a notice of availability
and summary of the final stock assessments, including responses to the
comments received.
In accordance with the MMPA, a list of the sources of information
or public reports upon which the assessment is based is included in
this notice.
Table 1.--Summary of Draft Revised Stock Assessment Reports for Three U.S. Northern Sea Otter Stocks.
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Annual 5-year
estimated human-
Serious caused mortality
Stock Nmin Rmax Fr PBR injury ----------------------- Stock status
Fishery/
Other Subsistence
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Northern sea otters (Southeast AK)............. 9,136 0.20 1.0 914 0 0 322 Non-strategic
Northern sea otters (Southcentral AK).......... 12,774 0.20 1.0 1,277 0 0 346 Non-strategic
Northern sea otters (southwest AK)............. 38,703 0.20 0.25 968 0 0.2 91 Strategic
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Dated: January 29, 2008.
H. Dale Hall,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 08-498 Filed 2-5-08; 8:45 am]
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