39814 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Notices

Island, Pine Knoll Shores, and Fort

Fisher, NC, intends to collect 18 dusky

sharks (6 sharks per facility), 18 lemon

sharks (6 sharks per facility), 18 sandbar

sharks (6 sharks per facility), and 6 sand

tiger sharks (2 sharks per facility) for

public display and education by hook

and line and trawl, fyke, or pound nets.

Fishing will occur in the Atlantic Ocean

off North Carolina and Florida. Issuance

of an EFP is necessary because

possession of sand tiger sharks is

prohibited and because the commercial

fishery for large coastal sharks is closed

for extended periods. The applicant also

requested that the EFP authorize

collection of bonnethead sharks,

managed under the small coastal shark

management unit; however, as the

commercial season for small coastal

sharks has not closed to date, this

species may be possessed legally by

obtaining a Federal commercial shark

permit, and an EFP is not required.

The Atlantis Holding Corporation, in

Holtsville, NY, intends to collect a

maximum of 20 sand tiger sharks for

public display and education by rod and

reel. Fishing will occur in the Atlantic

Ocean along the south shore of Long

Island. Issuance of an EFP is necessary

because the possession of sand tiger

sharks is prohibited.

The proposed collections for public

display involve activities otherwise

prohibited by regulations implementing

the Fishery Management Plan for Sharks

of the Atlantic Ocean. The applicants

require authorization to fish for and to

possess large coastal sharks outside the

Federal commercial seasons and to fish

for and to possess prohibited species.

Based on a preliminary review, NMFS

finds that these applications warrant

further consideration. A final decision

on issuance of EFPs will depend on the

submission of all required information,

NMFS’ review of public comments

received on the applications,

conclusions of any environmental

analyses conducted pursuant to the

National Environmental Policy Act, and

on any consultations with any

appropriate Regional Fishery

Management Councils, states, or Federal

agencies.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: July 17, 1998.

Gary C. Matlock,

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,

National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98–19877 Filed 7–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

[I.D. 033198C]

Marine Mammals; Stock Assessment

Reports; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request

for comments.

SUMMARY: NMFS has revised marine

mammal stock assessment reports in

accordance with the Marine Mammal

Protection Act (MMPA). Draft revised

1998 reports are available for public

review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be received by

October 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments and

requests for copies of reports to Chief,

Marine Mammal Division, Office of

Protected Resources, National Marine

Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West

Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–

3226, Attn: Stock Assessments. Copies

of the reports may also be requested

from Douglas DeMaster, Alaska

Fisheries Science Center (F/AKC),

NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN

15700, Seattle, WA 98115–0070; Irma

Lagomarsino, Southwest Regional Office

(F/SWO3), NMFS, 501 West Ocean

Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802–

4213; or Richard Merrick, Northeast

Fisheries Science Center, 166 Waters

Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas Eagle, (301) 713–2322; Douglas

DeMaster, (206) 526–4045, regarding

Alaska regional stock assessments; Irma

Lagomarsino, (310) 980–4020, regarding

Pacific regional stock assessments; or

Richard Merrick, (508) 495–2291, or

Steven Swartz, (305) 361–4487,

regarding Atlantic regional stock

assessments.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section

117 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et

seq.) requires NMFS and the U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service (FWS) to prepare

stock assessments reports for each stock

of marine mammals that occurs in

waters under the jurisdiction of the

United States. These reports contain

information regarding the distribution

and abundance of the stock, population

growth rates and trends, estimates of

annual human-caused mortality from all

sources, descriptions of the fisheries

with which the stock interacts, and the

status of the stock.

The MMPA also requires NMFS and

FWS to review these reports annually

for strategic stocks of marine mammals

and, at least, every 3 years for stocks

determined to be non-strategic. NMFS,

in conjunction with the regional

Scientific Review Groups, has reviewed

the MMPA status of the Alaska, Pacific,

and Atlantic stocks and has revised

those reports for which significant new

information was available. Table 1

contains a summary of the information

included in the reports and also

indicates which reports have been

revised since the publication of the 1996

stock assessment reports. NMFS solicits

public comments on these draft revised

marine mammal stock assessment

reports.

As required by the MMPA, NMFS has

reviewed, and will continue to review,

reports for strategic stocks of marine

mammals and new information

annually. The reports are not

necessarily revised annually because

revisions are required only when there

is significant new information.

NMFS, in conjunction with the

Alaska Scientific Review Group,

reviewed new information available for

all strategic stocks of Alaska marine

mammals under its authority, as well as

for several other stocks. A total of 15 of

the 33 Alaska stock assessment reports

were revised for 1998. Most proposed

changes to the stock assessment reports

incorporate new information into

abundance or mortality estimates. The

revised stock assessments include all 10

of the strategic stocks: western U.S.

Steller sea lion, eastern U.S. Steller sea

lion, northern fur seal, Cook Inlet beluga

whale, North Pacific sperm whale,

western North Pacific humpback whale,

central North Pacific humpback whale,

northeast Pacific fin whale, North

Pacific right whale, and western Arctic

bowhead whale. Additionally, five

reports of non-strategic stocks were

revised: Gulf of Alaska harbor seals,

Bering Sea harbor seals, Southeast

Alaska harbor seals, Eastern North

Pacific transient killer whales, and

Northern Pacific resident killer whales

(eastern North Pacific transient and

Northern resident stocks). The new

information on abundance and mortality

did not change the status (strategic or

not) of any of these 15 Alaska stocks

relative to the 1996 reports.

Fishery mortality sections in the

revised Alaska reports have been

updated to include data from observer

programs, fisher self-reporting, and

stranding reports through 1996, where

possible. Similarly, subsistence harvest

information through 1996 has been

included for those stocks that are taken

by Alaska Natives for subsistence
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Notices 39815

purposes. New abundance estimates are

available and have been included in the

revised assessments for nine stocks:

western U.S. Steller sea lions, eastern

U.S. Steller sea lions, northern fur seals,

Cook Inlet beluga whales, western North

Pacific humpback whales, central North

Pacific humpback whales, Gulf of

Alaska harbor seals, and both killer

whale stocks. Revised Potential

Biological Removal (PBR) levels have

been calculated for all Alaska stocks

having new abundance estimates.

Additionally, habitat concerns have

been addressed for all strategic stocks.

NMFS, in conjunction with the

Pacific Scientific Review Group,

reviewed new information on the

MMPA status of all 50 stocks of marine

mammals in the Pacific region

(predominantly stocks along the coast of

California, Oregon, Washington, and

Hawaii) that are under its authority.

NMFS found that the MMPA status of

the California/Oregon/Washington stock

of minke whales and the California/

Oregon/Washington stock of

mesoplodont beaked whales should be

changed from ‘‘strategic’’ to ‘‘nonstrategic’’, and these draft reports were

revised accordingly. This change was

prompted by the greater abundance of

these species estimated from a 1996

ship survey that covered California and

(for the first time) Oregon and

Washington. The review of all other

stocks did not indicate any significant

new information that would change

their status.

An additional five Pacific stock

assessment reports were revised for

1998 to incorporate new information,

including Oregon/Washington coastal

waters harbor seal, Washington inland

waters harbor seal, San Miguel Island

northern fur seal, Oregon/Washington

coast harbor porpoise, and Inland

Washington harbor porpoise.

Fishery mortality sections in the

revised Pacific reports have been

updated to include data from observer

programs, fisher self-reporting, and

stranding reports through 1996, where

possible. New abundance estimates are

available and have been included in the

revised assessments for the California/

Oregon/Washington minke whale, the

California/Oregon/Washington

mesoplodont beaked whale, the Oregon/

Washington coastal waters harbor seal,

the Washington inland waters harbor

seal, San Miguel Island northern fur

seal, and the Inland Washington harbor

porpoise stocks. New PBR estimates

have been calculated for each stock

having a revised abundance estimate.

NMFS, in conjunction with the

Atlantic Scientific Review Group,

reviewed new information available for

all strategic stocks of Atlantic marine

mammals under their authority, as well

as for several other stocks. A total of 26

of the 57 Atlantic stock assessment

reports were revised for 1998. Most

proposed changes to the stock

assessment reports incorporate new

information into abundance or mortality

estimates. The revised stock

assessments include 14 of the strategic

stocks: Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy

harbor porpoise, Western North Atlantic

common dolphin, Western North

Atlantic spotted dolphin, Western North

Atlantic pantropical spotted dolphin,

Western North Atlantic dwarf sperm

whale, Western North Atlantic pygmy

sperm whale, Western North Atlantic

Cuvier’s beaked whale, Western North

Atlantic Mesplodon beaked whale,

Western North Atlantic short-finned

pilot whale, Western North Atlantic

sperm whale, North Atlantic humpback

whale, Western North Atlantic right

whale, Western North Atlantic fin

whale, and Western North Atlantic blue

whale. Additionally, 12 reports of nonstrategic stocks were revised: Western

North Atlantic harbor seals, Western

North Atlantic gray seals, Western North

Atlantic harp seals, Western North

Atlantic hooded seals, Western North

Atlantic Risso’s dolphin, Western North

Atlantic Atlantic white-sided dolphin,

Western North Atlantic striped dolphin,

Western North Atlantic spinner

dolphin, Western North Atlantic

Bottlenose dolphin (offshore), Western

North Atlantic Northern bottlenose

whale, Western North Atlantic longfinned pilot whale, and Canadian east

coast minke whale.

The new information on abundance

and mortality changed the status

(strategic or non-strategic) of three

Atlantic stocks relative to the 1996

reports. NMFS found that the status of

Atlantic white-sided dolphins and

Atlantic long-finned pilot whales

should be changed from non-strategic to

strategic, and these draft reports were

revised accordingly. This change was

prompted by the (1992–1996) average

annual mortality estimates. The review

of all other stocks and advice from the

Atlantic Scientific Review Group

indicated that the Western North

Atlantic pygmy sperm whale stock

should be changed from strategic to

non-strategic.

Fishery mortality sections in the

revised Atlantic reports have been

updated to include data from observer

programs and stranding reports through

1996, where possible. New abundance

estimates are available and have been

included in the revised assessments for

four stocks (Western North Atlantic

harbor seals, Western North Atlantic

gray seals (earlier value revised),

Western North Atlantic common

dolphins, North Atlantic humpback

whales, and Canadian east coast minke

whales). PBR levels have been

calculated for all Atlantic stocks having

new abundance estimates and for

Western North Atlantic striped

dolphins, for which the recovery factor

was revised.

New information may become

available during the comment period for

these stock assessment reports. This

new information may be incorporated

into final stock assessment reports

without additional public review and

comment if incorporation of the new

information does not change the status

of the affected stock (e.g., strategic to

non-strategic).

Dated: July 20, 1998.

Hilda Diaz-Soltero,

Director, Office of Protected Resources, MFS.

TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF ALASKA AND PACIFIC (INCLUDING HAWAII) MARINE MAMMAL STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR

STOCKS OF MARINE MAMMALS UNDER NMFS AUTHORITY THAT OCCUPY WATERS UNDER U.S. JURISDICTION. A ‘‘Y’’

UNDER THE HEADING ‘‘SAR REVISED?’’ INDICATES THAT THE 1998 STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORT HAS BEEN REVISED RELATIVE TO THE 1996 REPORT

Species Stock area SRG

region

NMFS

center Nmin Rmax Fr PBR

Total

annual

mort.

Annual

fish.

mort.

Strategic

status

SAR

revised

?

Steller sea

lion.

Western U.S AKA AKC 38,893 0.12 0.15 350 443 31 Y Y

Steller sea

lion.

Eastern U.S .. AKA AKC 30,403 0.12 0.75 1,368 18 14 Y Y
39816 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Notices

TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF ALASKA AND PACIFIC (INCLUDING HAWAII) MARINE MAMMAL STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR

STOCKS OF MARINE MAMMALS UNDER NMFS AUTHORITY THAT OCCUPY WATERS UNDER U.S. JURISDICTION. A ‘‘Y’’

UNDER THE HEADING ‘‘SAR REVISED?’’ INDICATES THAT THE 1998 STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORT HAS BEEN REVISED RELATIVE TO THE 1996 REPORT—Continued

Species Stock area SRG

region

NMFS

center Nmin Rmax Fr PBR

Total

annual

mort.

Annual

fish.

mort.

Strategic

status

SAR

revised

?

Northern fur

seal.

Eastern Pacific.AKA AKC 848,539 0.086 0.5 18,244 1,722 14 Y Y

Harbor seal ... Southeast

Alaska.

AKA AKC 35,226 0.12 1.0 2,114 1,778 29 N Y

Harbor seal ... Gulf of Alaska AKA AKC 28,917 0.12 0.5 868 824 33 N Y

Harbor seal ... Bering Sea ... AKA AKC 12,648 0.12 0.5 379 187 26 N Y

Spotted seal Alaska .......... AKA AKC 1 N/A 0.12 0.5 N/A N/A 2 N

Bearded seal Alaska .......... AKA AKC N/A 0.12 0.5 N/A N/A 2 N

Ringed seal .. Alaska .......... AKA AKC N/A 0.12 0.5 N/A N/A 1 N

Ribbon seal .. Alaska .......... AKA AKC N/A 0.12 0.5 N/A N/A 1 N

Beluga .......... Beaufort Sea AKA AKC 32,453 0.04 1.0 649 160 0 N

Beluga .......... Eastern

Chukchi

Sea.

AKA AKC 3,710 0.04 1.0 74 54 0 N

Beluga .......... Eastern Bering Sea.AKA AKC 6,439 0.04 1.0 129 127 0 N

Beluga .......... Bristol Bay .... AKA AKC 1,316 0.04 1.0 26 20 1 N

Beluga .......... Cook Inlet ..... AKA AKC 712 0.04 1.0 14 71 0 Y Y

Killer whale ... Eastern North

Pacific,

Northern

Resident.

AKA AKC 642 0.04 0.5 6.4 0.8 0.8 N Y

Killer whale ... Eastern North

Pacific,

Transient.

AKA AKC 197 0.04 0.5 2.0 0.8 0.8 N Y

Pacific whitesided dolphin.Central North

Pacific.

AKA AKC 486,719 0.04 0.5 4,867 4 4 N

Harbor porpoise.Southeast

Alaska.

AKA AKC 8,156 0.04 0.5 82 4 4 N

Harbor porpoise.Gulf of Alaska AKA AKC 7,085 0.04 0.5 71 25 25 N

Harbor porpoise.Bering Sea ... AKA AKC 8,549 0.04 0.5 86 2 2 N

Dall’s porpoise.Alaska .......... AKA AKC 76,874 0.04 1.0 1,537 42 42 N

Sperm whale North Pacific AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Y

Baird’s

beaked

whale.

Alaska .......... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N

Cuvier’s

beaked

whale.

Alaska .......... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N

Stejneger’s

beaked

whale.

Alaska .......... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N

Gray whale ... Eastern North

Pacific.

AKA AKC 21,597 0.04 1.0 432 48 4 N

Humpback

whale.

Western

North Pacific.

AKA AKC 367 0.04 0.1 0.7 0.0 0.0 Y Y

Humpback

whale.

Central North

Pacific.

AKA AKC 3,698 0.04 0.1 7.4 1.2 1.0 Y Y

Fin whale ...... Northeast Pacific.AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Y

Minke whale Alaska .......... AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N

Northern right

whale.

North Pacific AKA AKC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Y

Bowhead

whale.

Western Arctic.AKA AKC 7,738 0.04 0.5 2 77 49 0.00 Y Y

Harbor seal ... Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 30,990 0.12 1.0 1,859 893 893 N Y

Gray seal ...... Northwest

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 2,010 0.12 1.0 120 35 35 N Y
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Notices 39817

TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF ALASKA AND PACIFIC (INCLUDING HAWAII) MARINE MAMMAL STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR

STOCKS OF MARINE MAMMALS UNDER NMFS AUTHORITY THAT OCCUPY WATERS UNDER U.S. JURISDICTION. A ‘‘Y’’

UNDER THE HEADING ‘‘SAR REVISED?’’ INDICATES THAT THE 1998 STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORT HAS BEEN REVISED RELATIVE TO THE 1996 REPORT—Continued

Species Stock area SRG

region

NMFS

center Nmin Rmax Fr PBR

Total

annual

mort.

Annual

fish.

mort.

Strategic

status

SAR

revised

?

Harp seal ...... Northwest

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 325.00 325.00 N Y

Hooded seal Northwest

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.60 5.60 N Y

Harbor porpoise.Gulf of Maine/

Bay of

Fundy.

ATL NEC 48,289 0.04 0.5 483 1,667 1,667 Y Y

Risso’s dolphin.Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 11,140 0.04 0.5 111 18 18 N Y

Atlantic whitesided dolphin.Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 19,196 0.04 0.5 192 217 217 Y Y

White-beaked

dolphin.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N N

Common dolphin.Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 15,470 0.04 0.5 155 3 221 3 221 Y Y

Atlantic spotted dolphin.Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 4 1,617 0.04 0.5 16 4 20 4 20 Y Y

Pantropical

spotted dolphin.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 4 1,617 0.04 0.5 16 4 20 4 20 Y Y

Striped dolphin.Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 18,220 0.04 0.5 182 11 11 N Y

Spinner dolphin.Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.31 0.31 N Y

Bottlenose

dolphin.

Western

North Atlantic, offshore.

ATL NEC 5 8,794 0.04 0.5 88 58 58 N Y

Bottlenose

dolphin.

Western

North Atlantic, coastal.

ATL SEC 2,482 0.04 0.5 25 29 6 29 Y

Dwarf sperm

whale.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.2 0.2 Y Y

Pygmy sperm

whale.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A N/A N/A N Y

Killer whale ... Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N

Pygmy killer

whale.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL SEC 6 0.04 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 N

Northern

bottlenose

whale.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N Y

Cuvier’s

beaked

whale.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 7 895 0.04 0.5 8.9 9.7 8 9.7 Y Y

Mesoplodon

beaked

whale.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 7 895 0.04 0.5 8.9 9.7 8 9.7 Y Y

Pilot whale,

long-finned

(Globicephala spp.).

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 9 49,685 0.04 0.5 50 32 9 32 10Y Y
39818 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Notices

TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF ALASKA AND PACIFIC (INCLUDING HAWAII) MARINE MAMMAL STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR

STOCKS OF MARINE MAMMALS UNDER NMFS AUTHORITY THAT OCCUPY WATERS UNDER U.S. JURISDICTION. A ‘‘Y’’

UNDER THE HEADING ‘‘SAR REVISED?’’ INDICATES THAT THE 1998 STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORT HAS BEEN REVISED RELATIVE TO THE 1996 REPORT—Continued

Species Stock area SRG

region

NMFS

center Nmin Rmax Fr PBR

Total

annual

mort.

Annual

fish.

mort.

Strategic

status

SAR

revised

?

Pilot whale,

short-finned.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 457 0.04 0.5 4.6 32 9 32 Y Y

Sperm whale Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 1,617 0.04 0.1 3.2 0.0 0.0 N Y

North Atlantic

right whale.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 295 0.025 0.1 0.4 2.3 11 1.0 Y Y

Humpback

whale.

Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 10,019 0.065 0.1 32.6 5.8 12 4.5 Y Y

Fin whale ...... Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC 1,704 0.04 0.1 3.4 0.0 0.0 Y Y

Sei whale ...... Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y

Minke whale Canadian

east coast.

ATL NEC 2,145 0.04 0.45 17 0.8 0.8 N Y

Blue whale .... Western

North Atlantic.

ATL NEC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A 0.0 0.0 Y Y

Bottlenose

dolphin.

Gulf of Mexico, outer

continental

shelf.

ATL SEC 43,233 0.04 0.5 432 2.8 13 2.8 N

Bottlenose

dolphin.

Gulf of Mexico, continental

shelf edge

and slope.

ATL SEC 4,530 0.04 0.5 45 2.8 13 2.8 N

Bottlenose

dolphin.

Western Gulf

of Mexico

coastal.

ATL SEC 2,938 0.04 0.5 29 13 14,15 13 N

Bottlenose

dolphin.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico

coastal.

ATL SEC 3,518 0.04 0.5 35 10 15 10 N

Bottlenose

dolphin.

Eastern Gulf

of Mexico

coastal.

ATL SEC 8,963 0.04 0.5 90 8 15 8 N

Bottlenose

dolphin.

Gulf of Mexico bay,

sound, and

estuarine 10.

ATL SEC 3,933 0.04 0.5 39.7 30 15 30 Y

Atlantic spotted dolphi.Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 2,255 0.04 0.5 23 4 1.5 4 1.5 N

Pantropical

spotted dolphin.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 26,510 0.04 0.5 265 4 1.5 4 1.5 N

Striped dolphin.Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 3,409 0.04 0.5 34 0.0 0.0 N

Spinner dolphin.Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 4,465 0.04 0.5 45 0.0 0.0 N

Roughtoothed dolphin.Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 660 0.04 0.5 6.6 0.0 0.0 N

Clymene dolphin.Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 4,120 0.04 0.5 41 0.0 0.0 N

Fraser’s dolphin.Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 66 0.04 0.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 N

Killer whale ... Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 197 0.04 0.5 2.0 0.0 0.0 N

False killer

whale.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 236 0.04 0.5 2.4 0.0 0.0 N
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Notices 39819

TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF ALASKA AND PACIFIC (INCLUDING HAWAII) MARINE MAMMAL STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR

STOCKS OF MARINE MAMMALS UNDER NMFS AUTHORITY THAT OCCUPY WATERS UNDER U.S. JURISDICTION. A ‘‘Y’’

UNDER THE HEADING ‘‘SAR REVISED?’’ INDICATES THAT THE 1998 STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORT HAS BEEN REVISED RELATIVE TO THE 1996 REPORT—Continued

Species Stock area SRG

region

NMFS

center Nmin Rmax Fr PBR

Total

annual

mort.

Annual

fish.

mort.

Strategic

status

SAR

revised

?

Pygmy killer

whale.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL NEC 285 0.04 0.05 2.8 0.0 0.0 N

Dwarf sperm

whale.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 Y

Pygmy sperm

whale.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC N/A 0.04 N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 Y

Melon-headed

whale.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 2,888 0.04 0.5 29 0.0 0.0 N

Risso’s dolphin.Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 2,199 0.04 0.5 22 19 19 N

Cuvier’s

beaked

whale.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 20 0.04 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 N

Blainville’s

beaked

whale.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N

Gervais’

beaked

whale.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.0 0.0 N

Pilot whale,

short-finned.

Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 186 0.04 0.5 1.9 0.3 0.3 Y

Sperm whale Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 411 0.04 0.1 0.8 0.0 0.0 Y

Bryde’s whale Northern Gulf

of Mexico.

ATL SEC 17 0.04 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 N

California sea

lion.

U.S ............... PAC SWC 111,339 0.12 1.0 6,680 974 915 N

Harbor seal ... California ...... PAC SWC 27,962 0.12 1.0 1,678 243 234 N

Harbor seal ... Oregon/

Washington

coast.

PAC AKC 24,733 0.12 1.0 1,484 18 16 N Y

Harbor seal ... Washington

inland waters.

PAC AKC 16,104 0.12 1.0 966 41 36 N Y

Northern elephant seal.California

breeding.

PAC SWC 51,625 0.083 1.0 2,142 145 145 N

Guadalupe fur

seal.

Mexico to

California.

PAC SWC 3,028 0.137 0.5 104 0.0 0.0 Y

Northern fur

seal.

San Miguel

Island.

PAC AKC 6,720 0.086 1.0 270 0.0 0.0 N Y

Hawaiian

monk seal.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC 1,366 0.07 0.1 17 4.8 N/A N/A Y

Harbor porpoise.Central California.PAC SWC 3,431 0.04 0.48 33 14 14 N

Harbor porpoise.Northern California.PAC SWC 7,640 0.04 0.5 76 0.0 0.0 N

Harbor porpoise.Oregon/

Washington

coast.

PAC AKC 22,046 0.04 0.5 220 17 17 N Y

Harbor porpoise.Inland Washington PAC.AKC 2,545 0.04 0.4 20 16 16 N Y

Dall’s porpoise.California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 34,393 0.04 0.48 330 22 22 N

Pacific whitesided dolphin.California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 82,939 0.04 0.48 796 22 22 N

Risso’s dolphin.California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 22,388 0.04 0.5 224 37 37 N

Bottlenose

dolphin.

California

coastal.

PAC SWC 134 0.04 0.5 1.3 0.0 0.0 N

Bottlenose

dolphin.

California/Oregon/

Washington

offshore.

PAC SWC 1,904 0.04 0.4 15 4.4 4.4 N
39820 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Notices

TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF ALASKA AND PACIFIC (INCLUDING HAWAII) MARINE MAMMAL STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR

STOCKS OF MARINE MAMMALS UNDER NMFS AUTHORITY THAT OCCUPY WATERS UNDER U.S. JURISDICTION. A ‘‘Y’’

UNDER THE HEADING ‘‘SAR REVISED?’’ INDICATES THAT THE 1998 STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORT HAS BEEN REVISED RELATIVE TO THE 1996 REPORT—Continued

Species Stock area SRG

region

NMFS

center Nmin Rmax Fr PBR

Total

annual

mort.

Annual

fish.

mort.

Strategic

status

SAR

revised

?

Striped dolphin.California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 19,248 0.04 0.4 154 1.2 1.2 N

Common dolphin, shortbeaked.California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 309,717 0.04 0.5 3,097 272 272 N

Common dolphin, longbeaked.California ...... PAC SWC 5,504 0.04 0.48 53 14 14 N

Northern right

whale dolphin.

California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 15,080 0.04 0.5 151 47 47 N

Killer whale ... California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 436 0.04 0.4 3.5 1.2 1.2 N

Killer whale ... Southern

Resident

Stock.

PAC AKC 96 0.04 1.0 1.9 0.0 0.0 N

Pilot whale,

short-finned.

California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 741 0.04 0.4 5.9 13 13 Y

Baird’s

beaked

whale.

California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 252 0.04 0.4 2.0 1.2 1.2 N

Mesoplodont

beaked

whales.

California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 18 2,840 0.04 0.45 19 26 9.2–13 9.2–13 N Y

Cuvier’s

beaked

whale.

California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 6,070 0.04 0.5 61 28 28 N

Pygmy sperm

whale.

California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 2,059 0.04 0.45 19 2.8 2.8 N

Dwarf sperm

whale.

California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A 0.0 0.0 N

Sperm whale California to

Washington.

PAC SWC 896 0.04 0.1 1.8 4.5 4.5 Y

Humpback

whale.

California/

Mexico.

PAC SWC 563 0.04 0.1 0.5 1.8 1.2 Y

Blue whale .... California/

Mexico.

PAC SWC 1,463 0.04 0.1 1.5 0.2 0.0 Y

Fin whale ...... California to

Washington.

PAC SWC 747 0.04 0.1 1.5 <1 0.0 Y

Bryde’s whale Eastern Tropical pacific.PAC SWC 11,163 0.04 0.5 20 0.2 0.0 0.0 N

Sei whale ...... Eastern North

Pacific.

PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A N/A 0.0 Y

Minke whale California/Oregon/

Washington.

PAC SWC 440 0.04 0.45 4.0 3.6 3.6 N Y

RoughToothed

dolphin.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Risso’s dolphin.Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Bottlenose

dolphin.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Pantropical

spotted dolphin.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Spinner dolphin.Hawaii .......... PAC SWC 677 0.04 0.5 6.8 N/A N/A N

Striped dolphin.Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Notices 39821

TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF ALASKA AND PACIFIC (INCLUDING HAWAII) MARINE MAMMAL STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORTS FOR

STOCKS OF MARINE MAMMALS UNDER NMFS AUTHORITY THAT OCCUPY WATERS UNDER U.S. JURISDICTION. A ‘‘Y’’

UNDER THE HEADING ‘‘SAR REVISED?’’ INDICATES THAT THE 1998 STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORT HAS BEEN REVISED RELATIVE TO THE 1996 REPORT—Continued

Species Stock area SRG

region

NMFS

center Nmin Rmax Fr PBR

Total

annual

mort.

Annual

fish.

mort.

Strategic

status

SAR

revised

?

Melon-headed

whale.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Pygmy killer

whale.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

False killer

whale.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Killer whale ... Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Pilot whale,

short-finned.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Blainville’s

beaked

whale.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Cuvier’s

beaked

whale.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Pygmy sperm

whale.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Dwarf sperm

whale.

Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

Sperm whale Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A N/A N/A Y

Blue whale .... Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A N/A N/A Y

Fin whale ...... Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.1 N/A N/A N/A Y

Bryde’s whale Hawaii .......... PAC SWC N/A 0.04 0.5 N/A N/A N/A N

1 N/A means that an estimate for the affected value is not available.

2The IWC subsistence quota is not affected by the calculation of PBR using the formula specified in the MMPA.

3Effort data for the 1995–1996 mid-Atlantic coastal sink gillnet and 1996 Atlantic squid, mackerel, butterfish trawl fisheries are currently under

review. The estimated mortalities attributed to these fisheries will be included in the final 1998 SAR. 4This value includes either or both of Stenella frontalis or Stenella attenuata. 5Estimates may include sightings of the coastal form.

6Effort data for the 1995–1996 mid-Atlantic coastal sink gillnet fishery is currently under review. The estimated mortalities will be available in

the final 1998 SAR. 7This estimate includes Cuvier’s beaked whales and mesoplodon beaked whales.

8This is the average mortality of beaked whales (Mesoplodon sp.) based on 5 years of observer data. This annual mortality rate includes an

unknown number of Cuvier’s beaked whales. 9This estimate includes both long-finned and short-finned pilot whales.

10Effort data for the Atlantic squid, mackeral, butterfish trawl fishery are currently under review; it is likely that the additional estimated mortality

from this fishery will cause the 1992–1996 average total mortality to exceed PBR. 11This is the average mortality of right whales based on 5 years of observer data (0.0) and additional fishery impact records (1.0). 12This is the average mortality of humpback whales based on 5 years of observer data (0.7) and additional fishery impact records (3.8). 13This value may include either or both of the Gulf of Mexico, continental shelf edge and slope and the outer continental shelf stocks of

bottlenose dolphins. 14 Low levels of bottlenose dolphin mortality (0–4 per year) incidental to commercial fisheries have been reported. It is unknown to which stock

this mortality can be attributed. 15Estimates derived from stranded animals with signs of fishery interactions, and these could be either coastal or estuary stocks. 16This entry encompasses 33 stocks of bottlenose dolphins. All stocks are considered strategic; see the full report for information on individual

stocks. The listed estimates for abundance, PBR and mortality are sums across all bays, sounds, and estuaries. 17Although the calculated PBR is 4.8, the allowable take is zero due to findings under the ESA. 18This value includes a species-specific minimum abundance estimate of 123 Blainville’s beaked whales, Mesoplodon densirostris. 19This PBR includes 2.2 Blainville’s beaked whales. 20This PBR has been adjusted because only 0.2 percent of this stock is estimated to be in U.S. waters.

[FR Doc. 98–19876 Filed 7–23–98; 8:45 am]

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