[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 225 (Friday, November 21, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69417-69418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27651]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 223

RIN 0648-XA984


Endangered and Threatened Species; Proposed Listing 
Determinations for Nassau Grouper; Public Hearing

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

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: We (NMFS) will hold a public hearing in St. Thomas, U.S. 
Virgin Islands, in December 2014 for the purpose of accepting public 
comments on the proposal to list the Nassau grouper (Epinephelus 
striatus) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (ESA).

DATES: The meeting will be held on December 9, 2014, at 7 p.m. Atlantic 
Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Marriott Frenchmans Reef 
Hotel, 5 Estate Bakkeroe, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Information 
about the proposed listing of the Nassau grouper under the ESA is 
available at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/listing_petitions/species_esa_consideration/index.html.
    Comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2014-0101, may also be submitted 
by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic comments via 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0101, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    <bullet> Facsimile (fax): 727-824-5309.
    <bullet> Mail: NMFS, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue 
South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    <bullet> Hand delivery: You may hand deliver written information to 
our office during normal business hours at the street address given 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Rueter, NMFS, Southeast Regional 
Office (727) 824-5350; or Lisa Manning, NMFS, Office of Protected 
Resources (301) 427-8466.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On September 2, 2014, we published a proposed rule to list the 
Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) as threatened under the ESA (79 
FR 51929). 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 the proposed 
rule (79 FR 51929; September 2, 2014), we concluded 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 currently soliciting relevant information that may inform 
the final listing and designation of critical habitat. In particular we 
seek comments containing: (1) Information concerning the location(s) 
and status of any spawning aggregations of the species; and (2) 
Information concerning the threats to the species; and (3) Efforts 
being made to protect the species throughout its current range. See 
ADDRESSES section above for information on how to submit comments. The 
public comment period on the proposed rule is open until December 31, 
2014.

[[Page 69418]]

Public Hearing

    We will convene a public hearing to provide background information 
and accept public comments on the proposed listing of the Nassau 
grouper under the ESA. We will accept both oral and written comments 
regarding the proposed listing decision during the meeting.

Special Accommodations

    The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids 
should be directed to Jason Reuter, (727) 824-5350, at least 5 working 
days prior to the meeting date.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: November 17, 2014.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27651 Filed 11-20-14; 8:45 am]
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