[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 4 (Thursday, January 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1090-1091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00031]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA681]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-
Year Review of Indo-Pacific Reef-building Corals

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 
[email protected].
    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).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lance Smith at (808) 725-5131 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of the 
following Indo-Pacific reef-building coral species listed as threatened 
under the ESA: 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. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the 
ESA requires that we conduct a review of listed species at least once 
every 5 years. This will be the first review of these species since 
they were listed in 2014. The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that 
we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing species 
currently under active review. On the basis of such reviews under ESA 
Section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any species should be removed 
from the list (i.e., delisted) or reclassified from endangered to 
threatened or from threatened to endangered (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(2)(B)). 
As described by the regulations in 50 CFR 424.11(e), the Secretary 
shall delist a species if the Secretary finds that, after conducting a 
status review based on the best scientific and commercial data 
available: (1) The species is extinct; (2) the species does not meet 
the definition

[[Page 1091]]

of an endangered species or a threatened species; and/or (3) the listed 
entity does not meet the statutory definition of a species. Any change 
in Federal classification would require a separate rulemaking process.
    Background information on each of the 15 species is available on 
the NMFS website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/corals.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the reviews are 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 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. 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 to the 
species and its habitats; (4) conservation measures that have been 
implemented that benefit the species, including, but not limited to, 
monitoring data demonstrating effectiveness of such measures; and (5) 
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 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: January 4, 2021.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-00031 Filed 1-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P