Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, announce a 12-month finding and listing determination on a petition to list the Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have completed a status review of the Nassau grouper in response to a petition submitted by WildEarth Guardians. After reviewing the best scientific and commercial data available, we have determined that the Nassau grouper meets the definition of a threatened species. While the species still occupies its historical range, spawning aggregations have been reduced in size and number due to fishing pressure. The lack of adequate management measures to protect these aggregations increases the extinction risk of Nassau grouper. Based on these considerations, described in more detail in this proposed rule, we conclude that the Nassau grouper is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but is likely to become so within the foreseeable future. We are soliciting information that may be relevant to inform the final listing and designation of critical habitat.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 223 [Docket No. 1206013326-4677-02] RIN 0648-XA984 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce a 12-month finding and listing determination on a petition to list the Nassau grouper ( Epinephelus striatus ) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have completed a status review of the Nassau grouper in response to a petition submitted by ( printed page 51930) WildEarth Guardians. After reviewing the best scientific and commercial data available, we have determined that the Nassau grouper meets the definition of a threatened species. While the species still occupies its historical range, spawning aggregations have been reduced in size and number due to fishing pressure. The lack of adequate management measures to protect these aggregations increases the extinction risk of Nassau grouper. Based on these considerations, described in more detail in this proposed rule, we conclude that the Nassau grouper is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but is likely to become so within the foreseeable future. We are soliciting information that may be relevant to inform the final listing and designation of critical habitat. DATES: Information and comments on the subject action must be…
Citation: 79 FR 51929
