Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Act Listing Determination for Southeast Alaska Pacific Herring

NOAA Fisheries completed a comprehensive status review of the Southeast Alaska distinct population segment of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) under the Endangered Species Act. Based upon the best scientific and commercial data available, we conclude that listing the Southeast Alaska DPS of Pacific herring is not warranted at this time. We also announce the availability of the status review report.

History

In 2008, NOAA Fisheries found that listing Lynn Canal Pacific herring as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act was not warranted because the population did not constitute a species, subspecies, or distinct population segment under the Endangered Species Act. However, NOAA Fisheries initiated a status review for a larger Southeast Alaska distinct population segment (Dixon Entrance northward to Cape Fairweather and Icy Point) which included all Pacific herring stocks in Southeast Alaska, including the petitioned Lynn Canal population (73 FR 19824).