[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 217 (Monday, November 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62996-62997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24863]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XB568]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-
Year Review of the Common Angelshark (Squatina squatina)

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

ACTION: Notice; request for information.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the 
common angelshark (Squatina squatina). 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; therefore, we request submission of any such 
information on the common angelshark that has become available since 
the species was listed in 2016.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than January 14, 2022. While we 
continue to accept new information about any listed species at any 
time, information received after the date stated above may not be 
considered for purposes of this 5-year review.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2021-0118, by the following method:

[[Page 62997]]

    Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov. In the 
Search box, enter the above docket number for this notice. Then, click 
on the Search icon. On the resulting web page, click the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    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: Celeste Stout, Office of Protected 
Resources, (301) 427-8422, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of the 
common angelshark (Squatina squatina) listed as endangered under the 
ESA. 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 this species since it was listed in 2016 (81 FR 50394, August 
1, 2016). 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 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 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 the species is available on the NMFS 
website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/common-angelshark.

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 Squatina squatina. 
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 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 review, you may submit 
your information and materials electronically (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: November 9, 2021.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-24863 Filed 11-12-21; 8:45 am]
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