The US government recently announced its intent to conduct a review of the North Atlantic Right Whale and whether its status should stay as an endangered species.
According to a recent notice:
“The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such information on the North Atlantic right whale, particularly information on its status, threats, and recovery, that has become available since its last 5-year review in 2017.”
The North Atlantic Right Whale has been classified as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act since that law was enacted in 1973.
“To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best scientific and commercial data available, we are soliciting new information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other interested parties concerning the status of the listed North Atlantic right whale. Categories of requested information include: (1) Species biology including, but not limited to, population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; (2) habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, distribution, and important features for conservation; (3) status and trends of threats to the species and its habitats; (4) conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the species, including monitoring data demonstrating effectiveness of such measures; (5) need for additional conservation measures; and (6) other new information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes and improved analytical methods for evaluating extinction risk.”
The deadline for submissions is May 4th, 2022.
Check out the notice here.
