[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2629-2630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1011]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 011199C]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Request for Information on 
Candidate Species List Under the Endangered Species Act

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

ACTION: Request for information for revision of candidate species list.

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SUMMARY: NMFS solicits information on marine and anadromous species 
that may qualify as candidates for possible addition to the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Species, including information on the status 
of species currently classified as candidate species. This notice is 
not a proposal for listing; candidate species do not receive 
substantive or procedural protection under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (ESA). The goal of the candidate species program is to identify 
marine and anadromous species as candidates for possible addition to 
the List of Endangered and Threatened Species and encourage voluntary 
efforts to help prevent listings.

DATES: Comments will be accepted until April 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments and documentation for these and any recommended 
additions or deletions to the candidate species list should be sent to 
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marta Nammack or Terri Jordan at 
(301)713-1401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ESA requires determinations of whether 
species of wildlife and plants are endangered or threatened, based on 
the best available scientific and commercial data. ``Species'' includes 
any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plant, and any distinct 
population segment of any vertebrate species that interbreeds when 
mature (vertebrate population). NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service share responsibilities under the ESA. With some exceptions, 
NMFS is responsible for species that reside all or the major portion of 
their lifetime in marine or estuarine waters. The regulations 
implementing Section 4 of the ESA (49 FR 38900, October 1, 1984) define 
``candidate'' as ``any species being considered by the Secretary for 
listing as an endangered or a threatened species, but not yet the 
subject of a proposed rule.''
    The four main purposes of the candidate species list are to (1) 
Increase public awareness about these species; (2) identify those 
species that may be in need of protective measures under the ESA, and 
if possible, recover them before listing under the ESA becomes 
necessary; (3) stimulate voluntary conservation efforts by Federal 
agencies and other appropriate parties with regard to these species; 
and (4) identify uncertainties associated with the status of the 
species. As resources permit, NMFS conducts a review of the status of 
each candidate species to determine if it warrants listing as 
endangered or threatened under the ESA. Sometimes, even though NMFS may 
determine after conducting a status review that a species does not 
warrant listing under the ESA, NMFS may retain the species on the 
candidate species list due to remaining concerns or uncertainties. NMFS 
believes it is important to highlight species for which listing may be 
warranted so that Federal and state agencies, Native American tribes, 
and the private sector are aware of which species could benefit from 
proactive conservation efforts. Agencies and other appropriate parties 
can take candidate species into account in project planning, which may 
lower the likelihood of an ESA listing.
    NMFS has developed specific criteria for determining which species/
vertebrate populations should be included on the NMFS candidate species 
list. These criteria are based on the requirement for reliable 
information on the biological status of a species or vertebrate 
population.
    Biological status is determined by both demography and genetic 
composition of the species/vertebrate population. If there is evidence 
of demographic or genetic concerns that would indicate that listing may 
be warranted, the species/vertebrate population should be added to the 
candidate species list. Demographic concerns would occur when there is 
a significant decline in abundance or range from historical levels that 
would indicate that listing may be warranted. This could result from 
activities such as over-harvest, habitat degradation, disease 
outbreaks, predation, natural climatic conditions, and hatchery 
operations that negatively impact natural stocks. Genetic concerns that 
would indicate that listing may be warranted include outbreeding and 
inbreeding depression resulting from poor hatchery practices or 
substantially reduced numbers of natural individuals.
    If you wish to propose that a species/vertebrate population be 
designated as a candidate species, please submit available information, 
including: (1) Taxonomic validity of the species, subspecies or 
vertebrate population; (2) life history; (3) historic and current 
population size and distribution; (4) assessment of confirmed and 
likely threats and declines; (5) existing laws, regulations, agreements 
and other protective mechanisms; and (6) documentation of information 
used to justify their proposal.
    The previous list was published on July 14, 1997, (62 FR 37560). 
NMFS intends to consider the results of ongoing status reviews and all 
data received in response to this notice to make appropriate amendments 
to the list. Some of the species NMFS is considering adding to the 
candidate species list are the largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis), 
smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), barndoor skate (Raja laevis), 
elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), staghorn coral (Acropora 
cervicornis), and four gastropods that are possibly extinct: 
``Collisella'' edmitchelli, Lottia alveus alveus, Cerithidea fuscata, 
and Phyllaplysia smaragda.
    It is important to note that the candidate species list is limited 
by the information available. Therefore, it does

[[Page 2630]]

not encompass all declining marine and anadromous species that may 
warrant listing in the future. Moreover, inclusion of a species on the 
candidate species list does not create a higher listing priority for 
that species. As appropriate, NMFS may initiate a status review for any 
species or vertebrate population of concern, regardless of whether it 
is a candidate species, and the public may petition to list any species 
or vertebrate population.

    Dated: January 12, 1999.
Ann D. Terbush,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-1011 Filed 1-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F