Reporting Requirements for Sea Otter Interactions with the Pacific Sardine Fishery; Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan

In accordance with the regulations implementing the Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) initiated an ESA Section 7 consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding the possible effects of implementing Amendment 11 (71 FR 36999) to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). USFWS determined that formal consultation was necessary on the possible effects to the threatened southern sea otter. USFWS completed a biological opinion (BO) for this action and although it was concluded that fishing activities were not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the southern sea otter there remained the potential to incidentally take southern sea otters. USFWS determined that certain measures should be put in place to ensure the continued protection of the species. The reporting requirements and conservation measures put forth in this action stem from this BO and are an attempt to provide further conservation efforts for southern sea otters.

The latest form for Reporting Requirements for Sea Otter Interactions with the Pacific Sardine Fishery; Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan expires 2023-02-28 and can be found here.