[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 246 (Thursday, December 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93902-93903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30710]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE962


Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review 
for the Endangered Black Abalone and the Endangered White Abalone

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: NMFS announces its intent to conduct 5-year reviews for the 
black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) and the white abalone (Haliotis 
sorenseni) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). 
Both the black abalone and white abalone are listed as endangered under 
the ESA. NMFS is required by the ESA to conduct 5-year reviews to 
ensure that the listing classifications of the species are accurate. 
The 5-year reviews must be based on the best scientific and commercial 
data available at the time. We request submission of any such 
information on black abalone and white abalone, particularly 
information on the status, threats, and recovery of the species that 
has become available since the final listing decision for white abalone 
in May 2001 and black abalone in January 2009.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than February 21, 2017. However, we 
will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments by including NOAA-NMFS-2016-0146 by 
either of the following methods:
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail:D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0146, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
     Mail or hand-deliver written information to Melissa 
Neuman, NMFS West Coast Region, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, 
Long Beach, CA 90802.
    Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by 
any other method, to any other address or

[[Page 93903]]

individual, or received after the end of the specified period. All 
comments received are a part of the public record and NMFS will 
generally post 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 is publicly 
accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the 
required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Neuman, NMFS West Coast 
Region, at 562-980-4115.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The white abalone was listed as endangered 
under the ESA on May 29, 2001 and the black abalone was listed as 
endangered under the ESA on January 14, 2009 (74 FR 1937). 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 a 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; or 
(3) the original data available when the species was listed, or the 
interpretation of such data, were in error. 50 CFR 424.11(d). Any 
change in Federal classification would require a separate rulemaking 
process. The ESA implementing regulations at 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 reviews 
of the white abalone and black abalone, both currently listed as 
endangered.
    Background information on white abalone, including the endangered 
listing, is available on the NMFS Office of Protected Species Web site 
at: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/invertebrates/abalone/white-abalone.html. Background information on black abalone, including the 
endangered listing, is available on the NMFS Office of Protected 
Species Web site at: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/invertebrates/abalone/black-abalone.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 conducting a review of the status of 
the species and 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 reviews are complete and based on the 
best available scientific and commercial data, 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 white abalone and/or black 
abalone. The 5-year reviews consider the best scientific and commercial 
data that has become available since the listing determination for 
white abalone in May 2001 and for black abalone in January 2009. 
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 and improved analytical methods for 
evaluating extinction risk.
    If you wish to provide information for the 5-year reviews, 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: December 14, 2016.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-30710 Filed 12-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P