Notice2023-14314
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews for Black Abalone and White Abalone
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 7, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS announces its intent to conduct 5-year reviews for black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) and white abalone (H. sorenseni), both listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NMFS is required by the ESA to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year reviews must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time. We request submission of any such information on black abalone and white abalone, particularly information on their status, threats, and recovery that has become available since the last 5-year reviews in 2018.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 129 (Friday, July 7, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 129 (Friday, July 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43308-43309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14314]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XD118]
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews
for Black Abalone and White Abalone
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces its intent to conduct 5-year reviews for black
abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) and white abalone (H. sorenseni), both
listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NMFS is
required by the ESA to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the
listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year reviews
must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at
the time. We request submission of any such information on black
abalone and white abalone, particularly information on
[[Page 43309]]
their status, threats, and recovery that has become available since the
last 5-year reviews in 2018.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must
receive your information no later than September 5, 2023. However, we
will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any
time.
ADDRESSES: Submit your information, identified by docket number NOAA-
NMFS-2023-0086, electronically via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go
to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. 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: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by
any other method or received after the comment period ends. All
comments received are a part of the public record. NMFS will post the
comments for public viewing on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> 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 is publicly
accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous submissions (enter ``N/A'' in
the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Neuman, NMFS West Coast
Region, 562-980-4115, or Susan Wang, NMFS West Coast Region, 562-980-
4199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that
we conduct a review of listed species at least once every 5 years. 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) of the ESA we
determine whether a listed species should be delisted or reclassified
from endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. 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; 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.
The white abalone was listed as endangered under the ESA on May 29,
2001 (66 FR 29046), and the black abalone was listed as endangered
under the ESA on January 14, 2009 (74 FR 1937). Background information
on white abalone is available on the NMFS website at: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/white-abalone">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/white-abalone</a>. Background information on
black abalone is available on the NMFS website at: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/black-abalone">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/black-abalone</a>.
Determining if a Species Is Threatened or Endangered
Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA requires that we determine whether a
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five
following factors: (1) The present or threatened destruction,
modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2)
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or
educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or manmade factors
affecting its continued existence. Section 4(b) also requires that our
determination be made on the basis of the best scientific and
commercial data available after conducting a review of the status of
the species and after taking into account those efforts, if any, being
made by any State or foreign nation, to protect such species.
Public Solicitation of New Relevant Information
To ensure that the 5-year reviews are complete and based on the
best scientific and commercial data available, 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 white abalone and/or black
abalone. 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; (5) need for additional
conservation measures; and (6) 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 5-year reviews, 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, we will also accept anonymous submissions.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: June 30, 2023.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-14314 Filed 7-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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