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When population growth rates can be estimated, NMFS would 

 calculate PBR as the product of abundance and observed population 

 growth rate. Where necessary information is unknown or of poor 

 quality, NMFS would use conservative default values for 

 population growth rates to calculate PBR. PBR calculations for 

 stocks that are determined to be below OSP levels, or for which 

 the status is unknown, would include a recovery factor. This 

 recovery factor would reduce PBR for the affected stocks so that 

 a portion of the net annual production would be protected, thus 

 enhancing the recovery of depleted stocks. 



PBR values would be examined for each stock and, where 

 necessary, reduced to minimize the impacts of commercial fishing 

 on the recovery of depleted stocks. For example, when the 

 estimate of minimum abundance is very low, such as with northern 

 right whales, PBR could be reduced to zero. The PBR for 

 declining populations would also be examined carefully during the 

 adjustment process to determine the need for reduction of PBR. 



Allocating PBR 



Calculated and adjusted PBRs would be allocated among 

 fisheries and other groups that may remove marine mammals from 

 populations. Other potential uses of marine mammals include 

 scientific research, public display, and activities in marine 

 environments other than commercial fishing. When making PBR 

 allocations for these purposes, as well as commercial fishing, 



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