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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 221 (Friday, November 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 90266-90267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26537]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE466]

Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review 
for the Smoothback angelshark (Squatina oculata)

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 a 5-year review of the 
endangered Smoothback angelshark (Squatina oculata). NMFS is required 
by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure 
that 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 Smoothback angelshark, particularly information on its status, 
threats, and

[[Page 90267]]

conservation efforts, which has become available since the previous 
status review in June 2016.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than January 14, 2025. 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- 2024-0134, by the following method:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic comments via 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
enter NOAA-NMFS-2024-0134 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments or other information 
if sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or 
received after the comment period ends. All comments and information 
received are a part of the public record and NMFS will post the 
comments for public viewing on https://www.regulations.gov without 
change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, 
etc.) submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. 
Do not submit confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive 
or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter 
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Parsons, NOAA Affiliate, (301) 
427-8403 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our active review of 
the Smoothback angelshark (Squatina oculata), currently listed as 
endangered (81 FR 50394; August 1, 2016). Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA 
requires that the Secretary, through NMFS, conduct a review of listed 
species at least once every 5 years. The species was last reviewed in 
2016 (80 FR 40969; July 14, 2015). The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 
require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing 
species currently under active review. Based on such reviews, we 
determine whether a listed species should be removed from the list 
(i.e., delisted), or be changed in status 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 consideration of 
the factors and standards set forth in 50 CFR 424.11(c), that the best 
scientific and commercial data available substantiate that that, after 
conducting a status review based on the best scientific and commercial 
data available: (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; or (3) new information that 
has become available since the original listing decision shows that 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 status would 
require a separate rulemaking process.
    Background information on the Smoothback angelshark is available on 
the NMFS website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/smoothback-angelshark/overview.

Public Solicitation of New Relevant Information

    To ensure that the 5-year review is 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 the listed Saimaa seal. 
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, suitability, and 
important features for conservation; (3) degree, nature, 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; 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: November 8, 2024.
Lisa Manning,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-26537 Filed 11-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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