Designation of the AT1 Group of Transient Killer Whales as a Depleted Stock Under MMPA

NOAA Fisheries issues a final rule to designate the AT1 group of transient killer whales as a depleted stock of marine mammals pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This action is based upon a status review conducted by NOAA Fisheries in response to a petition to designate as depleted a group of transient killer whales in Alaska (known as the AT1 group). The biological evidence indicates that the group is a population stock and that the stock is depleted as these terms are defined in the MMPA. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of MMPA.