Reviews planned for three whale species

The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced its intent to conduct five-year status reviews for three endangered whale species. These include the endangered fin whale (Baleaenoptera physalus), sei whale (Baleaenoptera borealis) and gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) Western North Pacific distinct population segment. These are required under the Endangered Species Act, which mandates a 60-day review period for all listed species once every five years, although the last reviews of these species took place in 2011, 2012 and 1991, respectively.

For more information and to submit comments by the March 30 deadline, see the Federal Register announcement.

See The Wildlife Society’s standing position on threatened and endangered species and position statement on the U.S. Endangered Species Act.