Atlantic Salmon in the Gulf of Maine 

Subject: Atlantic Salmon in the Gulf of Maine - NMFS and FWS Announce Completion of a Status Review of U.S. Atlantic salmon populations and have determined that a distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine is in danger of extinction.

[Federal Register: November 17, 1999
(Volume 64, Number 221)] [Proposed Rules]
[Page 62627-62641]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 224 [Docket No. 991108299-9299-01;
I.D. 102299A] RIN 0648-XA39

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AF80

Endangered and Threatened Species; Proposed Endangered Status for a Distinct Population Segment of Anadromous Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in the Gulf of Maine

AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce; Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Interior.

ACTION: Proposed Rule, notice of public hearing.

SUMMARY: NMFS and FWS (the Services) have completed a status review of U.S. Atlantic salmon populations and have determined that a distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine is in danger of extinction. The Services have reviewed the status of the species and the efforts being made to protect the species and are proposing to place the Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic salmon on the list of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The Services have determined that the species' status has declined since the December 1997 determination that listing was not warranted. Specifically, documented adult returns have remained low despite projections of increased marine survival, presmolt survival has been found to be lower than previously estimated, the detection of a new disease led to the destruction of the Pleasant River broodstock, a disease from Europe has affected the Canadian aquaculture industry and spread toward the U.S. border, the use of non-North American strains of Atlantic salmon in the U.S. aquaculture industry has increased, aquaculture escapees continue to be detected in the wild, and salmon habitat continues to be threatened by water withdrawal and sedimentation. If this proposed listing is finalized, the protective measures of the ESA will extend to the Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic salmon, and a recovery plan will be prepared and implemented.

DATES: Comments on this proposal and on the July 1999 Status Review announced in the October 19, 1999, Federal Register (64 FR 56297) must be received by February 15, 2000. A public hearing will be held at 6:00 pm on January 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments and materials concerning this proposed rule and the 1999 Status Review to the Chief, Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, Massachusetts 01035, or the Endangered Species Program Coordinator, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930. 

The public hearing location is in the cafeteria of Ellsworth Middle School, 20 Forrest Avenue, Ellsworth, Maine 04605. The 1999 Status Review may be obtained by contacting either of the above individuals or downloaded from the following site: http://news.fws.gov/salmon/asalmon.html. Please note that electronic mail or internet site comments will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Colligan, NMFS, at the address above (978-281-9116) or Paul Nickerson, FWS, at the address above (413- 253-8615). 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The complete Federal Register is posted at the following GPO URL:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=1999_register&doci