Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
We, NMFS, are listing the queen conch (Aliger gigas, formerly known as Strombus gigas) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have completed a review of the status of queen conch, including efforts being made to protect the species, and considered public comments submitted on the proposed listing rule as well as new information received since the publication of the proposed rule. Based on all of this information, we have determined that the queen conch 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. Thus, we are listing the queen conch as a threatened species under the ESA. At this time, we conclude that critical habitat is not yet determinable because data sufficient to perform the required analysis are lacking; any critical habitat designation would be proposed in a separate, future rulemaking.
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. 240208-0042; RTID 0648-XR071] AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We, NMFS, are listing the queen conch ( Aliger gigas, formerly known as Strombus gigas ) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have completed a review of the status of queen conch, including efforts being made to protect the species, and considered public comments submitted on the proposed listing rule as well as new information received since the publication of the proposed rule. Based on all of this information, we have determined that the queen conch 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. Thus, we are listing the queen conch as a threatened species under the ESA. At this time, we conclude that critical habitat is not yet determinable because data sufficient to perform the required analysis are lacking; any critical habitat designation would be proposed in a separate, future rulemaking. DATES: This final rule is effective on March 15, 2024. ADDRESSES: Public comments that were submitted on the proposed rule to list queen conch are available at https://www.regulations.gov identified by docket number NOAA-NMFS-2019-0141. A list of references cited in this final rule …
Citation: 89 FR 11208
