[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 67 (Monday, April 8, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13809-13813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06758]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2018-0096; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-BD72


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Adding 16 Species, 
Removing One Species, and Updating Entries for 17 Species on the List 
of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule; correcting amendments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are amending 
the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List) by adding 16 
species (gulf grouper, island grouper, common guitarfish, blackchin 
guitarfish, daggernose shark, Brazilian guitarfish, striped smoothhound 
shark, spiny angelshark, Argentine angelshark, narrownose smoothhound 
shark, Maui dolphin, Hector's dolphin, giant manta ray, oceanic 
whitetip shark, Taiwanese humpback dolphin, and chambered nautilus) and 
by removing one species (Puget Sound-Georgia Basin distinct population 
segment (DPS) of canary rockfish). We are also updating the entries for 
the following six species by adding critical habitat designation 
citations: Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic sturgeon, New York Bight DPS 
of Atlantic sturgeon, Chesapeake Bay DPS of Atlantic sturgeon, South 
Atlantic DPS of Atlantic sturgeon, Carolina DPS of Atlantic sturgeon, 
and Main Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS of false killer whale. Lastly, we 
are updating the genus name for the Saimaa subspecies of ringed seal. 
The above amendments are based on previously published determinations 
by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, which has 
jurisdiction for these species. We are also adding nonsubstantive 
corrections to entries for 10 other species on the List: Three foreign 
coral species, dusky sea snake, Banggai cardinalfish, the Tanzanian DPS 
of African coelacanth, Nassau grouper, and three angelshark species. We 
added these 10 species to the List in 2016, but the entries did not 
include the Federal Register citations for the final listing rule, as 
is our standard practice when we add new entries to the List. The 
changes being made via this rule simply provide

[[Page 13810]]

information that may be helpful to members of the public who are 
interested in tracking the regulatory history of these species.

DATES: 
    Effective date: This rule is effective April 8, 2019.
    Applicability date: The gulf grouper and island grouper listings 
were applicable as of November 21, 2016. The common guitarfish and 
blackchin guitarfish listings were applicable as of February 21, 2017. 
The daggernose shark, Brazilian guitarfish, striped smoothhound shark, 
spiny angelshark, Argentine angelshark, and narrownose smoothhound 
shark listings were applicable as of June 9, 2017. The Maui dolphin and 
Hector's dolphin listings were applicable as of October 19, 2017. The 
giant manta ray listing was applicable as of February 21, 2018. The 
oceanic whitetip shark listing was applicable as of March 1, 2018. The 
Taiwanese humpback dolphin listing was applicable as of June 8, 2018. 
The chambered nautilus listing was applicable as of October 29, 2018. 
The Puget Sound-Georgia Basin DPS of canary rockfish delisting was 
applicable as of March 24, 2017. The critical habitat designation for 
the Atlantic sturgeon DPSs was applicable as of September 18, 2017. The 
critical habitat designation for the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS 
of false killer whale was applicable as of August 23, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Quamme, Chief, Branch of 
Domestic Listing, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS-ES, 5275 Leesburg 
Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; 703-358-1796.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 
(35 FR 15627; October 6, 1970), the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
Department of Commerce, has jurisdiction over the marine and anadromous 
taxa specified in this rule. Under section 4(a)(1) of the Act, NMFS 
must decide whether a species under its jurisdiction should be 
classified as endangered or threatened. NMFS makes these determinations 
via its rulemaking process. Under section 4(a)(2) of the Act, we, the 
Service, are then responsible for publishing final rules to amend the 
List in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 
17.11(h). Therefore, the Service rule is the final step in a rulemaking 
process begun by NMFS to add these species to the List.
    As described below and set forth at the table in the Regulation 
Promulgation section of this document, NMFS has published rules 
regarding each of the species mentioned in this document. Section 
4(a)(2)(A) of the Act applies to all of the rules except for the rule 
concerning the Puget Sound-Georgia Basin DPS of canary rockfish; with 
respect to those rules, by publishing this final rule, we are simply 
taking the necessary administrative step to codify these changes in the 
CFR. Section 4(a)(2)(B) of the Act applies to the NMFS's recommendation 
to delist the Puget Sound-Georgia Basin DPS of canary rockfish; we 
concur with NMFS's recommendation, and this rule implements that 
action.

Listings

We are adding the following 16 species to the List based on NMFS final 
rules:

 Gulf grouper (81 FR 72545; October 20, 2016)
 island grouper (81 FR 72545; October 20, 2016)
 common guitarfish (82 FR 6309; January 19, 2017)
 blackchin guitarfish (82 FR 6309; January 19, 2017)
 daggernose shark (82 FR 21722; May 10, 2017)
 Brazilian guitarfish (82 FR 21722; May 10, 2017)
 striped smoothhound shark (82 FR 21722; May 10, 2017)
 spiny angelshark (82 FR 21722; May 10, 2017)
 Argentine angelshark (82 FR 21722; May 10, 2017)
 narrownose smoothhound shark (82 FR 21722; May 10, 2017)
 Maui dolphin (82 FR 43701; September 19, 2017)
 Hector's dolphin (82 FR 43701; September 19, 2017)
 giant manta ray (83 FR 2916; January 22, 2018)
 oceanic whitetip shark (83 FR 4153; January 30, 2018)
 Taiwanese humpback dolphin (83 FR 21182; May 9, 2018)
 chambered nautilus (83 FR 48976; September 28, 2018)

Delisting

    We are removing the following species from the List based on a NMFS 
final rule:

 Puget Sound-Georgia Basin DPS of canary rockfish (82 FR 7711; 
January 23, 2017)

Critical Habitat

    We are adding critical habitat citations to the following species 
based on NMFS final rules:

 Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, Chesapeake Bay, Carolina, and 
South Atlantic DPSs of Atlantic sturgeon (82 FR 39160; August 17, 2017)
 Main Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS of false killer whale (83 FR 
35062; July 24, 2018)

Updates

    In the final rule to revise the CFR for species under NMFS' 
jurisdiction (79 FR 20802; April 14, 2014), NMFS updated the genus name 
for the Saimaa subspecies of ringed seal. By publishing this final 
rule, we are simply taking the necessary administrative step to codify 
these changes in the List at 50 CFR 17.11(h).
    Under the provisions of 50 CFR 17.11(f), the column in the List 
with the heading ``Listing citations and applicable rules'' is 
nonregulatory and is provided for informational and navigational 
purposes only. In that column, we provide the Federal Register 
citations for rulemaking actions pertaining to the listing of the 
species under the Act.
    On November 2, 2016, we published a final rule (81 FR 76311) that, 
among other things, added the following 10 species to the List at 50 
CFR 17.11(h):

 Three foreign coral species (Cantharellus noumeae, Siderastrea 
glynni, and Tubastraea floreana),
 Dusky sea snake (Aipysurus fuscus),
 Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni),
 The Tanzanian DPS of African coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae),
 Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), and
 Three angelshark species (Squatina aculeata, S. oculata, and 
S. squatina).

The rule was effective on the day of publication. Please see that rule 
for information about the rulemaking histories pertaining to these 
species.
    In our November 2, 2016, final rule (81 FR 76311), the ``Listing 
citations and applicable rules'' column did not include the Federal 
Register citations for the November 2, 2016, rule, which, as explained 
above, is the final step of the rulemaking process begun by NMFS to add 
the species to the List. Instead, the ``Listing citations and 
applicable rules'' column included only the Federal Register citations 
for the NMFS rules that led up to our November 2, 2016, final rule (81 
FR 76311).
    With this rule, we add the Federal Register citation for the 
November 2, 2016, final rule (81 FR 76311) to the 10 entries in the 
above list.

Administrative Procedure Act

    Because NMFS provided a public comment period on the proposed 
listing

[[Page 13811]]

and critical habitat rules for these taxa, and because this action of 
the Service to amend the List in accordance with the determinations by 
NMFS is nondiscretionary, the Service finds good cause that the notice 
and public comment procedures of 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary for 
this action. Because NMFS provided a public comment period on the 
proposed delisting rule for the Puget Sound-Georgia Basin DPS of canary 
rockfish, and we concur with NMFS' actions, we find good cause that the 
notice and public comment procedures of 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary 
for this action. We also find good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to 
make this rule effective immediately. The NMFS rules extended 
protection under the Act to these identified species above and listed 
them in 50 CFR parts 223 and 224; this rule is an administrative action 
to add the species to the List at 50 CFR 17.11(h). The public would not 
be served by delaying the effective date of this rulemaking action.

Required Determinations

National Environmental Policy Act

    We have determined that an environmental assessment, as defined 
under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
need not be prepared in connection with regulations adopted pursuant to 
section 4(a) of the Act. We outlined our reasons for this determination 
in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

Regulation Promulgation

    Accordingly, we amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 
of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below:

PART 17--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 1531-1544; and 4201-4245, 
unless otherwise noted.


0
2. Amend Sec.  17.11(h), the List of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife:
0
a. Under the heading MAMMALS, by:
0
i. Adding in alphabetical order entries for ``Dolphin, Hector's,'' 
``Dolphin, Maui,'' and ``Dolphin, Taiwanese humpback''; and
0
ii. Revising the entries for ``Seal, ringed (Saimaa subspecies)'' and 
``Whale, false killer [Main Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS]'';
0
b. Under the heading REPTILES, by revising the entry for ``Sea snake, 
dusky'';
0
c. Under the heading FISHES, by:
0
i. Adding in alphabetical order an entry for ``Angelshark, Argentine'';
0
ii. Revising the entries for ``Angelshark, common,'' ``Angelshark, 
sawback,'' and ``Angelshark, smoothback'';
0
iii. Adding in alphabetical order an entry for ``Angelshark, spiny'';
0
iv. Revising the entries for ``Cardinalfish, Banggai'' and 
``Coelacanth, African [Tanzanian DPS]'';
0
v. Adding in alphabetical order entries for ``Grouper, gulf'' and 
``Grouper, island'';
0
vi. Revising the entry for ``Grouper, Nassau'';
0
vii. Adding in alphabetical order entries for ``Guitarfish, 
blackchin,'' ``Guitarfish, Brazilian,'' ``Guitarfish, common,'' and 
``Ray, giant manta'';
0
viii. Removing the entry for ``Rockfish, canary [Puget Sound-Georgia 
Basin DPS]'';
0
ix. Adding in alphabetical order entries for ``Shark, daggernose,'' 
``Shark, narrownose smoothhound,'' ``Shark, oceanic whitetip,'' and 
``Shark, striped smoothhound''; and
0
x. Revising the entries for ``Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic subspecies) 
[Carolina DPS],'' ``Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic subspecies) 
[Chesapeake Bay DPS],'' ``Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic subspecies) 
[Gulf of Maine DPS],'' ``Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic subspecies) [New 
York Bight DPS],'' and ``Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic subspecies) 
[South Atlantic DPS]'';
0
d. Under the heading CORALS, by revising the entries for ``Coral, (no 
common name) [Cantharellus noumeae],'' ``Coral, (no common name) 
[Siderastrea glynni],'' and ``Coral, (no common name) [Tubastraea 
floreana]''; and
0
e. By adding at the end of the table a new heading CEPHALOPODS, and 
adding under that new heading an entry for ``Nautilus, chambered.''
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


 17.11   Endangered and threatened wildlife.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Listing citations and
           Common name              Scientific name      Where listed         Status         applicable rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Mammals
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Dolphin, Hector's...............  Cephalorhynchus     Wherever found....  T              82 FR 43701, 9/19/2017;
                                   hectori hectori.                                       N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
Dolphin, Maui...................  Cephalorhynchus     Wherever found....  E              82 FR 43701, 9/19/2017;
                                   hectori maui.                                          N 84 FR [insertFederal
                                                                                          Register page where
                                                                                          the document begins],
                                                                                          4/8/2019.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Dolphin, Taiwanese humpback.....  Sousa chinensis     Wherever found....  E              83 FR 21182, 5/9/2018;
                                   taiwanensis.                                           N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Seal, ringed (Saimaa subspecies)  Phoca (=Pusa)       Wherever found....  E              58 FR 26920, 5/6/1993;
                                   hispida saimensis.                                     N 58 FR 40538, 7/28/
                                                                                          1993.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Whale, false killer [Main         Pseudorca           Main Hawaiian.....  E              77 FR 70915, 11/28/
 Hawaiian Islands Insular DPS].    crassidens.        Islands Insular                     2012; N 79 FR 42687, 7/
                                                       DPS--see 50 CFR                    23/2014; 50 CFR
                                                       224.101.                           226.226. CH
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
            Reptiles
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Sea snake, dusky................  Aipysurus fuscus..  Wherever found....  E              80 FR 60560, 10/7/2015;
                                                                                          N 81 FR 76311, 11/2/
                                                                                          2016.

[[Page 13812]]

 
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
             Fishes
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Angelshark, Argentine...........  Squatina argentina  Wherever found....  E              82 FR 21722, 5/10/2017;
                                                                                          N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
Angelshark, common..............  Squatina squatina.  Wherever found....  E              81 FR 50394, 8/1/2016;
                                                                                          N 81 FR 76311, 11/2/
                                                                                          2016.
Angelshark, sawback.............  Squatina aculeata.  Wherever found....  E              81 FR 50394, 8/1/2016;
                                                                                          N 81 FR 76311, 11/2/
                                                                                          2016.
Angelshark, smoothback..........  Squatina oculata..  Wherever found....  E              81 FR 50394, 8/1/2016;
                                                                                          N 81 FR 76311, 11/2/
                                                                                          2016.
Angelshark, spiny...............  Squatina            Wherever found....  E              82 FR 21722, 5/10/2017;
                                   guggenheim.                                            N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Cardinalfish, Banggai...........  Pterapogon          Wherever found....  T              81 FR 3023, 1/20/2016;
                                   kauderni.                                              N 81 FR 76311, 11/2/
                                                                                          2016.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Coelacanth, African [Tanzanian    Latimeria           Tanzanian DPS--see  T              81 FR 17398, 3/29/2016;
 DPS].                             chalumnae.          50 CFR 223.102.                    N 81 FR 76311, 11/2/
                                                                                          2016.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Grouper, gulf...................  Mycteroperca        Wherever found....  E              81 FR 72545, 10/20/
                                   jordani.                                               2016; N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
Grouper, island.................  Mycteroperca fusca  Wherever found....  T              81 FR 72545, 10/20/
                                                                                          2016; N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
Grouper, Nassau.................  Epinephelus         Wherever found....  T              81 FR 42268, 6/29/2016;
                                   striatus.                                              N 81 FR 76311, 11/2/
                                                                                          2016.
Guitarfish, blackchin...........  Rhinobatos          Wherever found....  T              82 FR 6309, 1/19/2017;
                                   cemciculus.                                            N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
Guitarfish, Brazilian...........  Rhinobatos          Wherever found....  E              82 FR 21722, 5/10/2017;
                                   horkelii.                                              N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
Guitarfish, common..............  Rhinobatos          Wherever found....  T              82 FR 6309, 1/19/2017;
                                   rhinobatos.                                            N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Ray, giant manta................  Manta birostris...  Wherever found....  T              83 FR 2916, 1/22/2018;
                                                                                          N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Shark, daggernose...............  Isogomphodon        Wherever found....  E              82 FR 21722, 5/10/2017;
                                   oxyrhynchus.                                           N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
Shark, narrownose smoothhound...  Mustelus schmitti.  Wherever found....  T              82 FR 21722, 5/10/2017;
                                                                                          N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
Shark, oceanic whitetip.........  Carcharhinus        Wherever found....  T              83 FR 4153, 1/30/2018;
                                   longimanus.                                            N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Shark, striped smoothhound......  Mustelus fasciatus  Wherever found....  E              82 FR 21722, 5/10/2017;
                                                                                          N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic      Acipenser           Carolina DPS--see   E              77 FR 5914, 2/6/2012; N
 subspecies) [Carolina DPS].       oxyrinchus          50 CFR 224.101.                    79 FR 42687, 7/23/
                                   oxyrinchus.                                            2014; 50 CFR 226.225.
                                                                                          CH
Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic      Acipenser           Chesapeake Bay      E              77 FR 5880, 2/6/2012; N
 subspecies)[Chesapeake Bay DPS].  oxyrinchus          DPS--see 50 CFR                    79 FR 42687, 7/23/
                                   oxyrinchus.         224.101.                           2014; 50 CFR 226.225.
                                                                                          CH
Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic      Acipenser           Gulf of Maine DPS-- T              77 FR 5880, 2/6/2012; N
 subspecies)[Gulf of Maine DPS].   oxyrinchus          see 50 CFR                         79 FR 42687, 7/23/
                                   oxyrinchus.         223.102.                           2014; 50 CFR 223.211;
                                                                                          4d 50 CFR 226.225. CH
Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic      Acipenser           New York Bight      E              77 FR 5880, 2/6/2012; N
 subspecies)[New York Bight DPS].  oxyrinchus          DPS--see 50 CFR                    79 FR 42687, 7/23/
                                   oxyrinchus.         224.101.                           2014; 50 CFR 226.225.
                                                                                          CH
Sturgeon, Atlantic (Atlantic      Acipenser           South Atlantic      E              77 FR 5914, 2/6/2012; N
 subspecies)[South Atlantic DPS].  oxyrinchus          DPS--see 50 CFR                    79 FR 42687, 7/23/
                                   oxyrinchus.         224.101.                           2014; 50 CFR 226.225.
                                                                                          CH
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
             Corals
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Coral, (no common name).........  Cantharellus        Wherever found....  E              80 FR 60560, 10/7/2015;
                                   noumeae.                                               N 81 FR 76311, 11/2/
                                                                                          2016.
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Coral, (no common name).........  Siderastrea glynni  Wherever found....  E              80 FR 60560, 10/7/2015;
                                                                                          N 81 FR 76311, 11/2/
                                                                                          2016.
Coral, (no common name).........  Tubastraea          Wherever found....  E              80 FR 60560, 10/7/2015;
                                   floreana.                                              N 81 FR 76311, 11/2/
                                                                                          2016.
 

[[Page 13813]]

 
                                                  * * * * * * *
           Cephalopods
Nautilus, chambered.............  Nautilus pompilius  Wherever found....  T              83 FR 48976, 9/28/2018;
                                                                                          N 84 FR [insert
                                                                                          Federal Register page
                                                                                          where the document
                                                                                          begins], 4/8/2019.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated: March 20, 2019.
Margaret E. Everson,
Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Exercising 
the Authority of the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-06758 Filed 4-5-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P