[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 170 (Thursday, September 1, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60347-60348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21069]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE796


Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review 
for Mediterranean Monk Seal

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.

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SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce a 5-year review of the Mediterranean monk 
seal (Monachus monachus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (ESA), to ensure that the listing classification of the species 
is accurate. The 5-year review will be

[[Page 60348]]

based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time 
of the review. Therefore, we request submission of any such information 
on Mediterranean monk seals that has become available since their 
original listing as endangered in June 1970. Based on the results of 
this 5-year review, we will make the requisite determination under the 
ESA.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than October 31, 2016. However, we 
will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2016-0104 by either of the following methods:
     Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0104, click on the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail or hand-deliver written comments to Brendan Newell, 
NMFS Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910.
    Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above 
methods to ensure that the comments are received, documented, and 
considered by NMFS. Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment 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 comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brendan Newell, NMFS Office of 
Protected Resources, 301-427-7710.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the ESA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service maintains a list of endangered and threatened wildlife and 
plant species at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and Sec.  17.12 (for 
plants). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a 
review of listed species at least once every five years. On the basis 
of such reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether or not 
any species should be delisted or reclassified from endangered to 
threatened or from threatened to endangered. Delisting a species must 
be supported by the best scientific and commercial data available and 
only considered if such data substantiates that the species is neither 
endangered nor threatened for one or more of the following reasons: (1) 
The species is considered extinct; (2) the species is considered to be 
recovered; and/or (3) the original data available when the species was 
listed, or the interpretation of such data, were in error. Any change 
in Federal classification would require a separate rulemaking process. 
The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in 
the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active 
review. This notice announces our active review of the Mediterranean 
monk seal currently listed as endangered (56 FR 1463; January 14, 
1991).
    Background information on Mediterranean monk seals including the 
endangered listing is available on the NMFS Office of Protected Species 
Web site at: http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/seals/mediterranean-monk-seal.html.

Determining if a Species Is Threatened or Endangered

    Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA requires that we determine whether a 
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five 
following factors: (1) The present or threatened destruction, 
modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2) 
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or manmade factors 
affecting its continued existence. Section 4(b) also requires that our 
determination be made on the basis of the best scientific and 
commercial data available after taking into account those efforts, if 
any, being made by any State or foreign nation, to protect such 
species.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new 
information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the 
scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other 
interested parties concerning the status of Mediterranean monk seals. 
The 5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data and 
all new information that has become available since the listing 
determination or most recent status review. Categories of requested 
information include: (1) Species biology including, but not limited to, 
population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; 
(2) habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, 
distribution, and important features for conservation; (3) status and 
trends of threats; (4) conservation measures that have been implemented 
that benefit the species, including monitoring data demonstrating 
effectiveness of such measures; (5) need for additional conservation 
measures; and (6) other new information, data, or corrections 
including, but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, 
identification of erroneous information contained in the list of 
endangered and threatened species, and improved analytical methods for 
evaluating extinction risk.
    If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may 
submit your information and materials electronically or via mail (see 
ADDRESSES section). We request that all information be accompanied by 
supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or 
reprints of pertinent publications. We also would appreciate the 
submitter's name, address, and any association, institution, or 
business that the person represents; however, anonymous submissions 
will also be accepted.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: August 29, 2016.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-21069 Filed 8-31-16; 8:45 am]
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