Dear MARMAM,
In early December the
United States' NOAA Fisheries published a finding that the petition received on
September 8, 2021, from the Animal Welfare Institute, the Center for Biological
Diversity, and VIVA Vaquita to list the Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa
teuszii) as Threatened or Endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the
petitioned action may be warranted. Recognition of S. teuszii as
an Endangered or Threatened species under the US ESA would raise the profile of
the species and the urgency of conservation measures.
In order to confirm
whether the species is truly in danger of extinction and merits inclusion on
the US ESA, NOAA is now initiating a full status review of S. teuszii to
determine whether the species 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. And to ensure that the review is as
comprehensive as possible, NOAA is soliciting scientific and commercial
information regarding this species with a 60-day public comment period.
A press release
issued by the organizations that submitted the petition can be found here:
https://awionline.org/press-releases/atlantic-humpback-dolphin-takes-step-toward-endangered-species-act-protection
The Proposed Rule can
be found here:
The more comments/contributions that are received, the more
likely it is that the review will find in favor of an Endangered status. For those interested in contributing, submit
your own contribution or encourage contributions from organizations with which
you are affiliated. They request that
all data and information be accompanied by supporting documentation such as maps,
bibliographic references, or reprints of pertinent publications.
DEADLINE:
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.
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Heather Austin, NMFS Office of Protected Resources, (301) 427–8422, Heather.Austin@noaa.gov
Dr. Gianna Minton
Dr. Thomas A. Jefferson