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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 92097-92098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27231]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE456]

Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review 
for the Sawback Angelshark (Squatina aculeata)

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; request for information.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces its intent to conduct a 5-year review of the 
endangered sawback angelshark (Squatina aculeata). 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 sawback angelshark, particularly information on its status, 
threats, and conservation efforts, that has become available since the 
status review of three species of angelsharks (sawback angelshark, 
Squatina aculeata; smoothback angelshark, Squatina oculata; and common 
angelshark, Squatina squatina) was issued in June 2016 and the species 
was listed in August 2016.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than January 21, 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-2024-0133, 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-2024-0133 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: Howard Goldstein, Office of Protected 
Resources, (301) 648-1012, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our active review of 
the sawback angelshark, which is currently listed as endangered (81 FR 
50394; August 1, 2016). Section 4(c)(2) 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 June 2016 and 
listed as endangered in August 2016 (81 FR 50394; August 1, 2016). 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

[[Page 92098]]

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 will 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: (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 sawback angelshark is available on 
the NMFS website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/sawback-angelshark.

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 sawback angelshark. 
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 or data, 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 15, 2024.
Lisa Manning,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-27231 Filed 11-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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