Final Rule to List the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular False Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment as Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act

In response to a petition from the Natural Resources Defense Council, we, NOAA Fisheries, issue a final determination to list the Main Hawaiian Islands insular false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) distinct population segment (DPS) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We intend to consider critical habitat for this DPS in a separate rulemaking. The effect of this action will be to implement the protective features of the ESA to conserve and recover this species.