Greetings MARMAM, After an extensive scientific status review and careful consideration of public comments and new information, NOAA Fisheries issued a final rule to change the Endangered Species Act listing of the humpback whale. We identified 14 Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) of humpback whales, listing 4 as endangered and 1 as threatened. The 9 others do not warrant listing under the ESA. The DPSs and their ESA status are as follows: West Indies DPS (not listed) *Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa DPS (endangered)* *Western North Pacific DPS (endangered)* Hawaii DPS (not listed) *Mexico DPS (threatened)* *Central America DPS (endangered)* Brazil DPS (not listed) Gabon/Southwest Africa DPS (not listed) Southeast Africa/Madagascar DPS (not listed) West Australia DPS (not listed) East Australia DPS (not listed) Oceania DPS (not listed) Southeastern Pacific DPS (not listed) *Arabian Sea DPS (endangered)* Whales from the threatened population (the Mexico DPS) and two of the endangered populations (the Western North Pacific DPS and the Central America DPS) do, at times, travel, feed, or breed within U.S. waters and may be encountered on the high seas. The other two endangered populations (Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa and Arabian Sea) do not spend time in U.S. waters, but may be encountered on the high seas. All ESA prohibitions against “take” apply to the endangered populations; the final rule extends these same protections to the threatened population (Mexico). All humpback whales remain protected in U.S. waters and on the high seas (from takes by any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), regardless of their ESA listing status. For more information and to read the final listing rule, visit the Federal Register <https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/09/08/2016-21276/endangered-and-threatened-species-identification-of-14-distinct-population-segments-of-humpback> . Two complementary rules also filed today that continue the approach regulations for humpback whales in Alaska <https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/09/08/2016-21278/alaska-humpback-whale-approach-regulations> and Hawaii <https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/09/08/2016-21277/approach-regulations-for-humpback-whales-in-waters-surrounding-islands-of-hawaii-environmental> . For information about applying for scientific research or commercial and educational photography/filming permits, please visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/index.html. For information about incidental take authorizations, visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/index.htm. For questions about your permit or authorization, contact your permit analyst in the NOAA Fisheries Permits and Conservation Division at 301-427-8401. These changes are significant because we recognize that the species is doing well and most populations have increased in abundance. Identifying distinct population segments of humpback whales allows for tailored conservation of the populations that need it the most and addresses the most harmful threats hampering their recovery. Thank you for your continued work to understand marine mammals and their environment, it informs responsible management and helps pave the way for future conservation successes. Jonathan Shannon *Outreach Specialist* NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources U.S. Department of Commerce Office: 301-427-8431 jonathan.shannon@noaa.gov *Webhttp://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/ <http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/>Facebookwww.facebook.com/noaafisheries <http://www.facebook.com/noaafisheries>Twitterwww.twitter.com/noaafisherie <http://www.twitter.com/noaafisheries>sYouTubewww.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov <http://www.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov> The views expressed in this message are my own and do not necessarily reflect any position of NOAA, the Department of Commerce, or the government of the United States.*