Rather, it only begins another procedural stage in the ESA, where NMFS must conduct a review of the best scientific and economic information available to determine how to proceed with the critical habitat proposal. The second stage must be completed within 12 months of receipt of the petition. Once abundant in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Northern right whale is now the most endangered whale in the world. Today there may be only 300 right whales left in the Atlantic Ocean, and perhaps only 100 left in the Pacific. The Northern Right Whale has been listed as an endangered species since 1970.
Critical habitat is supposed to be designated concurrently with a species listing.