Aloha! It is with great pleasure that I write to you today to share that NOAA Fisheries’ has issued a notice of availability and request for comments on our Draft Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy for the main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whale (MHI IFKW) distinct population segment (DPS). We also issued a notice that we will be initiating a 5-Year Review of the status of MHI IFKW and we are seeking public input and any new information to help us determine if any change to the species’ endangered status is warranted under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). While we invite comments on all aspects of the Draft Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy, we are particularly interested in comments on the proposed recovery objectives, criteria, and actions, as well as comments on the cost of recovery actions and activities. The public has 60 days to submit comments on the Draft Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy, and submit information for the 5-year review. Comments may be submitted via the Federal Register’s eRulemaking portal at: *www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-124* <http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-124>. Once the comment period closes on December 15, 2020, we will take public comments into consideration when finalizing the Recovery Plan and Recovery Implementation Strategy, and in developing the 5-year review, as applicable. Additionally, we are announcing the availability of the Recovery Status Review for the MHI IFKW DPS, which, along with the Draft Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy, can be found on our website at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/false-killer-whale#conservation-management. The Recovery Status Review provides all the detailed information on the MHI IFKWs’ biology, ecology, status and threats, and conservation efforts to date, which have typically been included in the background section of a species’ recovery plan. ______________________________________________________ *Ann M. Garrett* *Assistant Regional Administrator* *Protected Resources Division* *Pacific Islands Regional Office* NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce Office: (808) 725-5130 Mobile: (808) 266-0735 www.fisheries.noaa.gov