The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) South of Humbug Policy Workgroup (Workgroup) for Pacific halibut will hold a working meeting, which is open to the public.

The Workgroup meeting will be held Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 10 a.m. until business for the day is completed.

The overarching goals of the Workgroup meeting are to explore the best methods for incorporating the area south of the Oregon/California border into the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) Pacific halibut stock assessment, examine the effect of including that area on the Area 2A apportionment, and evaluate methods to manage the fishery south of Humbug Mountain to comply with allocation provisions of the Catch Sharing Plan and the overall total allowable catch apportioned to Area 2A.

We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to delist the Southern Resident killer whale (Orcinus orca) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Southern Resident killer whale DPS was listed as endangered under the ESA in 2005. We find that the petition viewed in the context of information readily available in our files presents substantial scientific information indicating the petitioned action may be warranted. We are hereby initiating a status review of Southern Resident killer whales to determine whether the petitioned action is warranted and to examine the application of the DPS policy. To ensure the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information pertaining to this species.

NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has transmitted Amendment 17 to the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Secretarial review. Amendment 17 revises the maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT) for Quillayute fall coho, revises the FMP to correct typographical errors, updates reporting measures to reflect new technology, and updates or removes other obsolete or unnecessary language.

Comments on Amendment 17 must be received on or before January 8, 2013.

In the Pacific Northwest, scientists know each Southern Resident killer whale by name. While the loss of an individual whale leaves a hole in their tight knit family group, it also allows scientists to fill data gaps on marine mammals. The story of one such whale has been turned into an exhibit at The Whale Museum in Harbor, Washington.

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The ONMS is seeking applications for the following vacant seats on the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Commercial Fishing member and alternate, Conservation member and alternate, Non-consumptive recreation member and alternate, Research member and alternate, Public at large members (2) and Business member. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve two-year terms, pursuant to the council's charter.

Applications are due by December 3, 2012.

NMFS announces 5 inseason actions in the ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial and recreational fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada Border to Humboldt South Jetty, California.

The effective dates for the inseason action are set out in this document under the heading Inseason Actions. Comments will be accepted through November 13, 2012.

NMFS has announced a 5-year review of the Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of North American green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) (hereafter, Southern DPS) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). On April 7, 2006, NMFS issued a final listing determination for the Southern DPS as threatened under the ESA. The purpose of the 5-year review is to ensure the accuracy of the listing classification for this species. A 5-year review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available; therefore, we are requesting submission of any such information on the Southern DPS that has become available since the listing determination in 2006. We are also requesting information regarding the status of the Northern DPS of The North American green sturgeon (hereafter, Northern DPS), which is a NMFS Species of Concern.

To allow adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive your information no later than December 24, 2012.

The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) is seeking applications for the following vacant seats on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Agriculture, At-Large (2), Business/Industry, Commercial Fishing, Conservation, Recreation, Recreational Fishing, and Research. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen should expect to serve until February 2016.

NMFS announces the availability for public review of the Public Review Draft Recovery Plan (Plan) for the South-Central California Coast (SCCCS) (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Distinct Population (DPS). NMFS is soliciting review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the Plan, and will consider all substantive comments received during the review period before submitting the Plan for final approval. In addition, public meetings will be held as opportunities for learning more about and providing comments on the Public Review Draft Plan (see Public Meetings paragraph).

Comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. Pacific daylight time on December 18, 2012.

NOAA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have awarded $135,000—and leveraged nearly $320,000 in matching, non-federal funds—for five fish habitat protection projects on the Pacific Coast. This funding program was developed to promote voluntary coastal and marine protection activities within the National Fish Habitat Partnership. Each of the funded projects was endorsed by the Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership and/or the California Fish Passage Forum. The projects will incorporate the support of community conservation organizations, farmers, homeowners, recreational anglers, and boaters to protect habitat for threatened and endangered salmon and other commercially and recreationally valuable fish.

Funded projects include: