Endangered Species Act Status Review of Cherry Point Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasii) and Updated Status Review of Georgia Basin Pacific Herring Distinct Population Segment

On 22 January 2004 and 14 May 2004, NMFS received petitions seeking to list Pacific herring that spawn at Cherry Point, Washington, as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA. NMFS evaluated each petition to determine whether the petitioner provided substantial information as required by the ESA to list a species. The agency also reviewed other readily available information and consulted with state and tribal biologists to determine whether general agreement existed on the uniqueness, distribution, abundance, and threats to the petitioned stock. Additionally, NMFS evaluated whether available information might support the identification of a distinct population segment that might warrant listing as a species under the ESA. NMFS determined that the 22 January 2004 petition failed to present substantial scientific and commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. However, the agency found that the supplemental information contained in the 14 May 2004 petition did present substantial scientific and commercial information, or cited such information in other sources, that the petitioned action may be warranted (NMFS 2004) and subsequently, NMFS initiated an updated status review of the Georgia Basin Pacific herring DPS with particular reference to Cherry Point Pacific herring.