Initiation of Status Review; Request for Information

We, NOAA Fisheries, announce the initiation of a status review of the Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). A status review is a periodic undertaking conducted to ensure that the listing classification of a species is accurate and determine whether the species should be removed from the list (delisted); be changed in status from an endangered species to a threatened species (downlisted); or remain listed. A status review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. Therefore, we are requesting submission of any such information on the Rice’s whale that has become available since the last status review was conducted in 2016.