Interim Report on Post-Delisting Monitoring of Nine Distinct Population Segments of Humpback Whales

NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the conservation, protection, and recovery of large whales and prepares recovery plans and post-delisting monitoring plans as directed by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Following the 2016 identification of 14 DPSs of humpback whales and subsequent revision of the species-wide endangered listing under the ESA, a post-delisting monitoring plan for nine DPSs that no longer qualified for listing was developed. This interim report on post-delisting monitoring.

NOAA Fisheries is announcing its intent to develop a recovery plan for the ESA-listed Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific DPSs.