Endangered Fish and Wildlife; Draft Recovery Plan for the Western North Atlantic Right Whale

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of availability and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The draft Recovery Plan (Plan) for the western North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is available for review and comment by interested parties prior to preparing the final plan for approval and adoption by NMFS.

DATES:

Comments on the draft Plan must be received on or before September 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Comments should be addressed to Coordinator of Large Whale Recovery Activities, Marine Mammal Division, Office of Protected Resources (F/PR), 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. A copy of the draft plan for the North Atlantic right whale is available upon request from F/PR, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gregory K. Silber, Ph.D., NMFS, F/PR, 301/713-2322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

-The draft plans are also available through the internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR3/recovery.html. -

Background

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that NMFS develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation and survival of threatened and endangered species under its jurisdiction unless it is determined that such plans will not promote the conservation of the species. In 1991, NMFS issued the first recovery plan for northern right whales. NMFS, in consultation with key constituent groups and organizations, has prepared an updated draft plan for right whales in the North Atlantic ocean. The plan discusses the natural history, current status, and the known and potential human impacts to right whales. Actions needed to promote the recovery of this species are identified and discussed. A Final Recovery Plan will be used to direct U.S. activities, and to encourage international cooperation to promote the recovery of these endangered species.