The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service has announced its 5-year review of the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) under the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of this review is to ensure that the ESA listing classification of the whale is accurate. The 5-year review has to be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, NMFS requests submission of any such information on the North Atlantic right whale that has become available since NMFS’ last 5-year review in 2012. Based on the results of the current 5-year review, NMFS will make the requisite determination under the ESA. NMFS must receive any information no later than October 27, 2016.
Click here to read NMFS’ Federal Register notice of this Five Year review. This notice contains links and more detail.