Comment from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

I reviewed the Federal Register notice and provided a copy to Service marine mammal folks in the field. We want to make you aware of a report we received from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resource (attached). Here's my attempt to provide translation: Manatee Captured by Small Boat with Seine - Reserva Natural Rio Espiritu Santo On the morning of July 15, 2009, in the area of the Windham Rio Mar, a manatee was caught by a group of fishermen. This occurred when they removed their small boat with seine capturing the animal, a species protected by state and federal laws. We understand that this type of fishing can cause harm to species in danger of extinction, including various species of marine turtles and dolphins. The DRNA ought to review whether use of this device is in consension (allowable, permitable) with the environment, as for me I understand it is not. In addition, although we do not have reports stating that a commercial fishery has or is taking southern sea otters in the "CA spiny lobster trap" fishery or the "CA coonstripe shrimp, rock crab, tanner crab pot or trap" fishery, we reiterate our request to include this subspecies under the list for these fisheries and offer the article attached below to support our explanations provided last year for these inclusions.