[Federal Register: January 15, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 10)] [Notices] [Page 2629-2630] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr15ja99-50] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 011199C] Endangered and Threatened Species; Request for Information on Candidate Species List Under the Endangered Species Act AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Request for information for revision of candidate species list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS solicits information on marine and anadromous species that may qualify as candidates for possible addition to the List of Endangered and Threatened Species, including information on the status of species currently classified as candidate species. This notice is not a proposal for listing; candidate species do not receive substantive or procedural protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). The goal of the candidate species program is to identify marine and anadromous species as candidates for possible addition to the List of Endangered and Threatened Species and encourage voluntary efforts to help prevent listings. DATES: Comments will be accepted until April 15, 1999. ADDRESSES: Comments and documentation for these and any recommended additions or deletions to the candidate species list should be sent to Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marta Nammack or Terri Jordan at (301)713-1401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ESA requires determinations of whether species of wildlife and plants are endangered or threatened, based on the best available scientific and commercial data. ``Species'' includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plant, and any distinct population segment of any vertebrate species that interbreeds when mature (vertebrate population). NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service share responsibilities under the ESA. With some exceptions, NMFS is responsible for species that reside all or the major portion of their lifetime in marine or estuarine waters. The regulations implementing Section 4 of the ESA (49 FR 38900, October 1, 1984) define ``candidate'' as ``any species being considered by the Secretary for listing as an endangered or a threatened species, but not yet the subject of a proposed rule.'' The four main purposes of the candidate species list are to (1) Increase public awareness about these species; (2) identify those species that may be in need of protective measures under the ESA, and if possible, recover them before listing under the ESA becomes necessary; (3) stimulate voluntary conservation efforts by Federal agencies and other appropriate parties with regard to these species; and (4) identify uncertainties associated with the status of the species. As resources permit, NMFS conducts a review of the status of each candidate species to determine if it warrants listing as endangered or threatened under the ESA. Sometimes, even though NMFS may determine after conducting a status review that a species does not warrant listing under the ESA, NMFS may retain the species on the candidate species list due to remaining concerns or uncertainties. NMFS believes it is important to highlight species for which listing may be warranted so that Federal and state agencies, Native American tribes, and the private sector are aware of which species could benefit from proactive conservation efforts. Agencies and other appropriate parties can take candidate species into account in project planning, which may lower the likelihood of an ESA listing. NMFS has developed specific criteria for determining which species/ vertebrate populations should be included on the NMFS candidate species list. These criteria are based on the requirement for reliable information on the biological status of a species or vertebrate population. Biological status is determined by both demography and genetic composition of the species/vertebrate population. If there is evidence of demographic or genetic concerns that would indicate that listing may be warranted, the species/vertebrate population should be added to the candidate species list. Demographic concerns would occur when there is a significant decline in abundance or range from historical levels that would indicate that listing may be warranted. This could result from activities such as over-harvest, habitat degradation, disease outbreaks, predation, natural climatic conditions, and hatchery operations that negatively impact natural stocks. Genetic concerns that would indicate that listing may be warranted include outbreeding and inbreeding depression resulting from poor hatchery practices or substantially reduced numbers of natural individuals. If you wish to propose that a species/vertebrate population be designated as a candidate species, please submit available information, including: (1) Taxonomic validity of the species, subspecies or vertebrate population; (2) life history; (3) historic and current population size and distribution; (4) assessment of confirmed and likely threats and declines; (5) existing laws, regulations, agreements and other protective mechanisms; and (6) documentation of information used to justify their proposal. The previous list was published on July 14, 1997, (62 FR 37560). NMFS intends to consider the results of ongoing status reviews and all data received in response to this notice to make appropriate amendments to the list. Some of the species NMFS is considering adding to the candidate species list are the largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis), smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), barndoor skate (Raja laevis), elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis), and four gastropods that are possibly extinct: ``Collisella'' edmitchelli, Lottia alveus alveus, Cerithidea fuscata, and Phyllaplysia smaragda. It is important to note that the candidate species list is limited by the information available. Therefore, it does [[Page 2630]] not encompass all declining marine and anadromous species that may warrant listing in the future. Moreover, inclusion of a species on the candidate species list does not create a higher listing priority for that species. As appropriate, NMFS may initiate a status review for any species or vertebrate population of concern, regardless of whether it is a candidate species, and the public may petition to list any species or vertebrate population. Dated: January 12, 1999. Ann D. Terbush, Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-1011 Filed 1-14-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F