[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 64413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-17401]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE163]


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

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation; request for information.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the 
initiation of a 5-year review for the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus 
monachus). 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 the Mediterranean monk 
seal, particularly information on the status, threats, and recovery of 
the species that has become available since the previous review in 
2017.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than October 7, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2024-0092, by the following method:
     Electronic Submission: Submit electronic information via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
enter NOAA-NMFS-2024-0092 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Instructions: Information sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the specified 
period, may not be considered by NMFS. All information received is a 
part of the public record and will generally be posted for public 
viewing on https://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: Kristen Koyama (301) 427-8456 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of the 
Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) 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. The species was 
previously reviewed in 2017. 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 determines based on 
consideration of the factors and standards set forth in paragraph (c) 
of that section, that the best scientific and commercial data available 
substantiate that: (1) the species is extinct; (2) the species has 
recovered to the point at which it no longer meets the definition of an 
endangered species or a threatened species; (3) new information that 
has become available since the original listing decision shows the 
listed entity does not meet the definition of an endangered species or 
a threatened species; or (4) new information that has become available 
since the original listing decision shows the listed entity does not 
meet the definition of a species. Any change in Federal classification 
would require a separate rulemaking process.
    Background information on the Mediterranean monk seal is available 
on the NMFS website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/mediterranean-monk-seal.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the 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 Monachus monachus. 
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.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: August 1, 2024.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-17401 Filed 8-6-24; 8:45 am]
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