[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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