News + Annoucements

FR notice – Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review of Indo-Pacific Reef-building Corals (Jan. 7, 2021)

Federal Register Notices, News and Updates

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice; request for information.

SUMMARY:

NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for 15 Indo-Pacific reef-building corals (Acropora globiceps, Acropora jacquelineae, Acropora lokani, Acropora pharaonis, Acropora retusa, Acropora rudis, Acropora speciosa, Acropora tenella, Anacropora spinosa, Euphyllia paradivisa, Isopora crateriformis, Montipora australiensis, Pavona diffluens, Porites napopora, and Seriatopora aculeata). NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such information on these 15 coral species, particularly information on the status, threats, and recovery of the species that has become available since their listing, effective September 10, 2014.

DATES:

To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive your information no later than February 8, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit information on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2020-0151, by either of the following methods:

Electronic Submission: Submit electronic information via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2020-0151. Click on the “Comment Now!” icon and complete the required fields. Enter or attach your comments.
Email: Submit written comments to Lance Smith at Lance.Smith@noaa.gov.

Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the specified period, may not be considered. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous submissions (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).