Dear All, I want to let the community know about some significant news from NMFS. The agency has just proposed listing the insular Hawaiian false killer whale, whose best abundance estimate lies somewhere between about 150 and 170 animals, as an endangered population under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The proposal was published in today's Federal Register at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-28843.pdf. The proposal comes at the end of a year-long status review by an expert NMFS panel, following a petition for listing from NRDC. The panel found that the whales constitute a distinct population segment of false killer whales, and that the population is in danger of extinction (or extirpation) throughout its range - the standard for listing. Today's proposal affirms the panel's findings. NMFS' population viability analysis is particularly alarming: under most model runs, the whales were likely to decline within 3 generations to fewer than 20 animals, at which point the population was considered effectively irrecoverable. Under the Endangered Species Act, NMFS now has one year in which to make a final decision and, hopefully, list the population. With listing comes a recovery plan, resources, and greater attention to bycatch and other threats. The agency is taking comments through Feb. 15, 2011 on both the proposed listing and on areas to designate as critical habitat should the listing proceed. Again, more detail here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-28843.pdf. Cheers, Michael Michael Jasny Senior Policy Analyst, NRDC 4479 W. 5th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6R1S4 t 604-736-9386 c 310-560-5536 mjasny@nrdc.org PRIVILEGE AND CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law as attorney client and work-product confidential or otherwise confidential communications. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication or other use of a transmission received in error is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, immediately notify us at the above telephone number.