[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 72379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19922]
[[Page 72379]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XE256]
Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-
Year Review for the Tanzanian Distinct Population Segment of African
Coelacanth
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: NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the
Tanzanian distinct population segment (DPS) of African coelacanth
(Latimeria chalumnae). 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
Tanzanian DPS of African coelacanth, particularly information on the
status, threats, and recovery of the species that has become available
since it was listed in 2016.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must
receive your information no later than November 4, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2024-0102, 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-2024-0102 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: Heather Austin, Office of Protected
Resources, (301) 427-8422 or [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of the
Tanzanian DPS of African coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) listed as
threatened 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
under the ESA (81 FR 17398, March 29, 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 determines based
on considerations 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
decisions 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 species is available on the NMFS
website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/african-coelacanth.
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 Latimeria chalumnae.
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 DPS
and its habitats; (4) conservation measures that have been implemented
that benefit the DPS, 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 30, 2024.
Lisa Manning,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-19922 Filed 9-4-24; 8:45 am]
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