Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for Black Abalone, 1937-1946 [E9-635]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1937-1946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-635]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 224

[Docket No. 071128765-81658-02]
RIN 0648-AW32


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status 
for Black Abalone

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

ACTION:  Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Following completion of an Endangered Species Act (ESA) status 
review for black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii), we, NOAA's National 
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), published a proposed rule to list 
black abalone as endangered on January 11, 2008. After considering 
public comments on the proposed rule, we issue this final rule to list 
black abalone as endangered under the ESA. We also solicit information 
relevant to the designation of critical habitat for black abalone.

DATES:  Effective February 13, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information by any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 1-562-980-4027, Attention: Melissa Neuman.
     Mail: Submit written information to Chief, Protected 
Resources Division, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213.
    Reference materials regarding this determination can be obtained 
via the Internet at: https://www.swr.nmfs.noaa.gov (go to ``Latest 
News''/``News Archives''/January 2008). A request may also be submitted 
to the Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources Division, 
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, 
CA 90802-4213.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Melissa Neuman, NMFS, Southwest 
Region (562) 980-4115; or Lisa Manning, NMFS, Office of Protected 
Resources (301) 713-1401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Black abalone was added to the National Marine Fisheries Service's 
(NMFS') Candidate Species List on June 23, 1999 (64 FR 33466), and 
transferred to the NMFS' Species of Concern List on April 15, 2004 (69 
FR 19975). We initiated an informal ESA status review of black abalone 
on July 15, 2003, and formally announced initiation of a status review 
on October 17, 2006 (71 FR 61021), at the same time soliciting 
information from the public on the status of and threats facing black 
abalone. On December 27, 2006, we received a petition from the Center 
for Biological Diversity (CBD) to list black abalone as either an 
endangered or threatened species under the ESA and to designate 
critical habitat for the species concurrently with any listing

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determination. We published a 90-day finding on April 13, 2007 (72 FR 
18616), stating that the CBD petition presented substantial scientific 
information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted.
    In June 2007, we assembled a Status Review Team (SRT) to review the 
available information, assess the extinction risk and threats facing 
the species, and produce an ESA status review report for black abalone. 
The status review report (VanBlaricom et al., 2007) provides a thorough 
account of black abalone biology and natural history, and assesses 
demographic risks, threats and limiting factors, and overall extinction 
risk.
    The NMFS Southwest Region initiated a technical peer review of the 
draft status review report on January 9, 2008. A proposal to list black 
abalone as endangered, a solicitation for public comment on the 
proposed rule, and solicitation for additional information regarding 
black abalone status and habitat needs were published in the Federal 
Register on January 11, 2008 (73 FR 1986). Technical comments received 
from reviewers and public comments received on or before April 10, 
2008, are addressed in the final status review report and this rule.

Biology and Life History of Black Abalone

    A thorough account of black abalone biology and life history may be 
found in the status review report (VanBlaricom et al., 2008) and in the 
proposed rule to list black abalone as endangered under the ESA (73 FR 
1986; January 11, 2008).

Statutory Framework for ESA Listing Determinations

    Section 4 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1533) and implementing regulations 
(50 CFR part 424) set forth the procedures for adding species to the 
Federal list of threatened and endangered species. Section 4 requires 
that listing determinations be based solely on the best scientific and 
commercial data available, without consideration of possible economic 
or other impacts of such determinations, after conducting a status 
review of the species and considering conservation efforts being made 
to protect the species. After assessing a species' level of extinction 
risk and identifying factors, listed in section 4(a)(1), that have led 
to its decline, we assess efforts being made to protect the species to 
determine if those measures ameliorate the risks faced by the species. 
In judging the efficacy of existing protective efforts, we rely on the 
joint NMFS/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ``Policy for Evaluation of 
Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions'' (``PECE;'' 68 FR 
15100; March 28, 2003).

Summary of Comments Received in Response to the Proposed Rule

    A joint NMFS/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy requires us to 
solicit independent expert review from at least three qualified 
specialists (59 FR 34270; July 1, 1994). The Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review (December 
2004) further establishes minimum peer review standards, a transparent 
process for public disclosure of peer review planning, and 
opportunities for public participation. The OMB Bulletin, implemented 
under the Information Quality Act (Public Law 106-554), is intended to 
enhance the quality and credibility of the Federal Government's 
scientific information and applies to influential or highly influential 
scientific information disseminated on or after June 16, 2005. Pursuant 
to our 1994 policy and the OMB Bulletin, we solicited the expert 
opinions of ten appropriate and independent specialists regarding 
pertinent scientific or commercial data and assumptions relating to the 
taxonomic, genetic, biological and ecological information supporting 
the proposal to list black abalone. We conclude that these expert 
reviews satisfy the requirements for ''adequate peer review'' under the 
OMB Bulletin and the requirements of the joint 1994 peer review policy. 
All of the independent experts found that the scientific information 
supported listing of black abalone as an endangered species.
    No public hearings were requested during the 90-day public comment 
period on the proposed rule to list the black abalone as an endangered 
species, and no hearings were held. During the public comment period, 
however, we received seven written comments on the proposed rule: three 
from private citizens, three from non-governmental organizations, and 
one from a local government agency. Of the seven comments we received, 
four clearly stated their support for listing black abalone as an 
endangered species. Other commenters felt that the protections provided 
to black abalone from an ESA listing, namely habitat protection and 
protection from harvesting, would not benefit the species and that more 
emphasis needs to be placed on the treatment of withering syndrome, a 
fatal abalone disease. One commenter expressed concern over the 
methodology used to estimate the risk of black abalone extinction 
within the next 30 years and suggested that the risk analysis be 
reviewed by epidemiologists with expertise in the spread of and 
resistance to infectious diseases. A summary of the comments and the 
responses thereto are presented here.
    Comment 1: Several commenters indicated that listing black abalone 
as endangered is not enough to ensure survival of the species and 
questioned how active management will halt the progression of withering 
syndrome.
    Response: The final listing of black abalone as endangered under 
the ESA offers protection to the species by prohibiting all of the 
activities outlined in section 9 of the ESA (e.g., importation, 
exportation, take, possession, sale, and delivery) that directly or 
indirectly affect endangered species. These prohibitions apply to all 
individuals, organizations, and agencies subject to U.S. jurisdiction. 
Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA requires Federal agencies to consult with 
NMFS to ensure that activities they authorize, fund, or carry out are 
not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or 
destroy or adversely modify critical habitat.
    We acknowledge that managing the threat of withering syndrome will 
be difficult, especially because the etiology of the pathogen that 
causes the disease is unknown. However, the ESA requires that we 
evaluate all of the threats that a species faces and base our listing 
determination on that evaluation. Individual threats will be addressed 
in a recovery plan and through a critical habitat designation, both of 
which will be developed subsequent to this final rule. The recovery 
plan and subsequent rulemaking to designate critical habitat will 
incorporate the best available scientific information on methods to 
minimize the threat of withering syndrome in areas that have been 
exposed to it and halt further progression of the disease to areas that 
remain unaffected.
    Comment 2: Several commenters urged NMFS to initiate a multi-step 
recovery plan. It was suggested that a large part of the recovery 
process needs to be focused on how to treat and eliminate withering 
syndrome because that is the major cause for the species' decline. One 
commenter provided information that there are disease-resistant abalone 
present at San Nicolas Island and felt that these should be used in a 
breeding program as part of a recovery plan. Another commenter 
suggested that the recovery plan identify the Channel Islands as an 
area for restoration activities because the islands historically 
supported high abundances of black abalone, are protected from certain 
stressors because of their

[[Page 1939]]

isolation from the mainland, have an additional law enforcement 
presence, and currently support a well-established abalone research and 
monitoring program.
    Response: We recognize the urgent need for a recovery plan and will 
assemble a team of abalone experts to assist in the development of a 
recovery plan for the species. This recovery plan will specify recovery 
actions that should be carried out (e.g., disease treatment and 
elimination, restoration, enhancement); the geographic scope of 
recovery actions; and demographic, threats-based and long-term 
monitoring criteria that must be met in order to remove black abalone 
from the endangered species list. If the existence of withering 
syndrome-resistant black abalone is confirmed, we will consider 
incorporating their use into a captive propagation and enhancement 
program. The Channel Islands area should be emphasized in the recovery 
plan both in terms of continued monitoring and research and new 
restoration activities.
    Comment 3: Two commenters were concerned about the threats of 
anthropogenic green house gas emissions, sea level rise, elevated water 
temperatures and ocean acidification to black abalone. One commenter 
was concerned about the entrainment and/or impingement risks posed by 
activities that involve the intake of seawater (e.g., desalination 
plants, coastal power generating facilities, and liquefied natural gas 
terminals). These commenters asserted that the proposed rule failed to 
identify and assess these threats adequately.
    Response: Sea level rise and elevated water temperatures, induced 
by long-term climate change, were identified as threats to black 
abalone in the draft status review report that supported our proposed 
rule (VanBlaricom et al., 2007). On a scale ranging from low to high 
overall threat level, sea level rise was assigned a medium threat level 
and elevated water temperature was assigned a high threat level. A few 
studies have examined the effects of rising sea surface temperature on 
abalone at the individual level and indicate that elevated temperatures 
are likely to have negative consequences on those abalone species 
associated with cooler water temperatures and on abalone species that 
are particularly susceptible to withering syndrome. For example, when 
red abalone were held at elevated laboratory water temperatures over 
the course of a year (Vilchis et al., 2005), growth and reproduction 
halted and mortality due to withering syndrome rose significantly. We 
are not aware of any studies that have examined the potential effects 
of sea level rise on abalone. While the extent of future impacts 
resulting from sea level rise remains uncertain, sea level rise may 
result in loss of suitable black abalone habitat in preferred depth 
range because of increased erosion, turbidity and siltation.
    We have revised the threat assessment in the status review report 
to analyze the impacts of ocean acidification resulting from the 
elevated carbon dioxide levels in the world's oceans (VanBlaricom et 
al., 2008). Ocean acidification was assigned an overall threat level of 
medium. A few studies have examined the effects of elevated ocean 
acidity on marine gastropods and the coralline algae they graze upon at 
settlement. Reduced growth and survivorship resulted when marine 
gastropods were exposed to a small pH reduction over the course of six 
months (Shirayama and Thornton, 2005), and calcification rates dropped 
by as much as 40% in coralline algae exposed to increased partial 
pressure of CO2 (Feely et al., 2004). Thus, although the 
magnitude and timing of ocean acidification remain uncertain, reduced 
ocean pH levels may result in mortality, lower reproductive potential, 
and reduced individual growth of black abalone.
    While we recognize that long-term climate change in coastal marine 
systems will result in a number of abiotic shifts that could affect 
black abalone, the biological responses to these shifts at the 
population, species and ecosystem levels are complex and not yet 
predictable. Thus, the magnitude and timing of the risks associated 
with long-term climate change remain uncertain and require future 
studies and better predictive models (Harley et al., 2006). However, 
the overall threat rankings assigned to sea level rise, elevated water 
temperatures, and reduced pH levels are correct according to the 
criteria used in the threats assessment and described in more detail in 
the status review report (VanBlaricom et al., 2008).
    We acknowledge that entrainment or impingement of young stages of 
black abalone is possible when activities that require intake of 
seawater are conducted (e.g., desalination plants, coastal power 
generating facilities, and liquefied natural gas terminals) and have 
revised the threats assessment in the status review report accordingly 
(VanBlaricom et al., 2008). Entrainment and/or impingement were 
assigned an overall threat level of low, because their severity and 
geographic scope were considered to be low and because there is a high 
degree of uncertainty regarding whether this threat affects black 
abalone. We are unaware of any studies that have assessed the historic, 
current or future effects of entrainment and/or impingement on abalone. 
However, certain aspects of the life history of black abalone suggest 
that entrainment/impingement risk could be relatively low. Larvae and 
juveniles are not likely to be in close proximity to seawater intakes 
because black abalone adults are believed to spawn in relatively 
protected and confined rocky crevices and cracks, larval dispersal time 
is limited (about 3-10 days before settlement and metamorphosis; 
McShane, 1992), larvae may disperse over distances of only a few meters 
(Chambers et al., 2005), and genetic analyses support minimal gene flow 
among populations and a low degree of interchange via larval dispersal 
(Hamm and Burton, 2000).
    Comment 4: Two commenters felt that designating critical habitat 
should be a top priority and urged NMFS to consider designating 
critical habitat throughout the historic range of black abalone. One 
commenter suggested that sufficient higher elevation areas should be 
considered as critical habitat to account for rising sea level. Another 
commenter proposed that the Channel Islands should be included in a 
critical habitat designation for black abalone.
    Response: NMFS solicits information on critical habitat features 
and intends to proceed with a proposed designation in a subsequent 
rulemaking. A team of experts will be convened to evaluate the best 
scientific information available on geographical areas occupied by 
black abalone at the time of listing, including areas of the Channel 
Islands, that contain physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species and which may require special management 
considerations or protection. The team will also evaluate whether areas 
outside the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of 
listing, including some areas of the Channel Islands, areas within the 
historic range of the species, and higher elevation areas along the 
coast, are essential for the conservation of the species.
    Comment 5: One commenter felt that the proposed rule was not an 
accurate assessment of the extinction risk to black abalone, and to get 
an accurate assessment, epidemiologists with expertise in withering 
syndrome would need to be consulted. The commenter also questioned 
whether withering syndrome should be considered the primary threat to 
near-term extinction of black abalone given that recent literature 
suggests that infectious

[[Page 1940]]

diseases play a limited role in promoting extinction of species.
    Response: The methods used for evaluating extinction risk in black 
abalone provide an accurate assessment of the probability of near-term 
extinction. The SRT used a simple quantitative model, incorporating 
uncertainty, to assess the risk that withering syndrome poses to black 
abalone. The method relies on the expert opinions of the SRT members 
and quantitative information presented in the status review report. 
First, a range of categorical probabilities was established for two 
scenarios: (1) that the spread of withering syndrome will cease, and 
(2) that black abalone will develop resistance to withering syndrome 
over the next 30 years. After considering the data collected and 
analyzed in previous sections of the status review report, SRT members 
adjusted the probabilities according to how certain they were that a 
particular probability category would occur. Finally, a single belief-
weighted overall probability of effective extinction in 30 years of 96 
percent was determined. All of the status review team members were 
certain that the probabilities of scenario (1) or (2) occurring were 
very low (less than 15 percent).
    Although the commenter refers to recent literature suggesting that 
infectious diseases play a limited role in promoting extinction, the 
conclusions reached in the cited literature do not apply in the case of 
black abalone, as is well documented in the status review report. 
Specifically, the correlation between increased spread and 
manifestation of withering syndrome with elevated water temperatures, 
evidence of a variety of factors that can lead to rising ocean 
temperatures over large geographic scales, and the unequivocal 
empirical record of large scale population declines and little evidence 
of local recovery all suggest that withering syndrome will continue to 
play a significant role in determining the future of black abalone. In 
addition, there is now substantial concern among scientists and marine 
resource managers about the emergence of virulent diseases in marine 
organisms on a global scale in association with ocean warming in recent 
decades (e.g., Harvell et al., 1999; Harvell et al., 2002). Recent 
surveys of the literature suggest that the frequency of reporting of 
new diseases has increased for several major marine taxa, including 
mollusks (e.g., Ward and Lafferty, 2004).
    The commenter questioned whether the status review team members 
were experts in disease ecology and, if not, was concerned that the 
team might not be qualified to assess the species' risk of extinction 
due to withering syndrome. Currently, we are not aware of any 
epidemiologists that specialize in withering syndrome, as it is a 
fairly new disease. Because the etiology of the pathogen that causes 
the disease is unknown and no epidemiological expertise exists, a team 
of scientists and resource managers familiar with the demography and 
ecology of black abalone and its decline was sufficient to assess the 
near-term risk that withering syndrome poses to the species. While our 
team members may not have had expertise in the evolution of disease 
resistance, the team's assessment of near-term extinction risk due to 
withering syndrome is the best scientific information available and an 
appropriate basis upon which to list black abalone as endangered 
because: (1) the team considered all of the relevant data on risks 
associated with the spread of withering syndrome and the disease's 
prevalence; and (2) emergence of widespread disease resistance within 
the next 30 years is unlikely given that it has not occurred during the 
previous 20 years of marked recorded decline.

Consideration as a ``Species'' Under the ESA

    The ESA defines a species as ``any species or subspecies of 
wildlife or plants, or any distinct population segment of any species 
of vertebrate fish or wildlife which interbreeds when mature.'' Black 
abalone is a marine invertebrate and is not a subspecies; therefore, we 
list black abalone at the species level.

Status of Black Abalone

    Black abalone has experienced major declines in abundance that 
prompted closure of the commercial and recreational fisheries in 1993 
and resulted in local extinctions and low local densities in the 
majority of long-term monitoring studies in California (Tissot, 2007). 
These declines have been particularly severe in the Channel Islands 
which were major foci for the commercial fishery from 1970-1993 and 
where abalone densities were high (greater than 40 m-2) as late as the 
mid-1980s. Although the geographic range of black abalone extends to 
northern California, the vast majority of abalone populations have 
historically occurred south of Monterey, particularly in the Channel 
Islands (Cox, 1960; Karpov et al., 2000). Thus, black abalone 
populations have been severely reduced in areas that comprised the 
majority of the adult abalone populations in California.
    Natural recovery of severely reduced abalone populations can be a 
very slow process (e.g., Tegner, 1992). This is largely due to the low 
reproductive success of widely dispersed adult populations coupled with 
short larval dispersal distances (see ``Reproduction and Spawning 
Density'' in VanBlaricom et al., 2008). Therefore, severely reduced 
populations, in addition to providing few reproductive adults, also 
experience reduced success of fertilization and recruitment of larval 
abalone.
    Moreover, many studies have shown that abalone larvae are generally 
not widely dispersed. For example, Prince et al. (1988) and McShane 
(1992) showed a strong correlation between the abundances of adult and 
newly recruited abalone at several sites in South Australia, which 
suggests that larvae are not dispersed very far from their point of 
origin. Similarly, Tegner (1992) showed that recruitment of juvenile 
green abalone was rare in Palos Verdes, California, where adult abalone 
were very uncommon even though abundant adult stocks were found less 
that 30 km away in the Channel Islands. Thus, although more abundant 
black abalone populations occur in central and perhaps northern 
California, decimated stocks in southern California are unlikely to 
receive significant recruitment from these distant populations (Hamm 
and Burton, 2000).
    Studies indicate that a local adult density ``threshold'' exists 
and influences local recruitment. Below the critical threshold density 
gametes released by males and females into the water column do not meet 
successfully and fertilization does not take place. Recovery will 
largely depend on the density of local brood stocks and whether this 
density is below the critical value necessary for successful 
recruitment (Tegner, 1992). Based on empirical data from three long-
term studies of black abalone in California, recruitment failure 
occurred below adult densities of 0.75-1.10 m-2 (Tissot, 2007). Given 
that the majority of populations south of Cayucos in central California 
are below this threshold, many significantly so, it seems unlikely that 
these populations will be able to recover naturally to their former 
abundances, at least in the near future. Moreover, given the continued 
decline of most populations and the continued northward expansion of 
withering syndrome with warming events (Raimondi et al., 2002), it 
seems likely that black abalone populations will continue to decline 
across their range.

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Assessment of Risk of Extinction

Analysis of Demographic Risk

    The demographic risks that black abalone face were assessed by 
considering four demographic criteria (abundance, growth rate/
productivity, spatial structure/connectivity, and genetic diversity) 
and other key risks (e.g., threats). The SRT unanimously viewed black 
abalone as being at high risk of extinction throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range due to low abundance, low growth and 
productivity, compromised spatial structure and population 
connectivity, low genetic diversity, and the continued manifestation 
and spread of withering syndrome. This assessment is presented in more 
detail in the status review report (VanBlaricom et al., 2008) and in 
the proposed rule to list black abalone as endangered under the ESA (73 
FR 1986; January 11, 2008).

Quantitative Representation of Expert Opinion Incorporating Uncertainty

    VanBlaricom et al. (2008) calculated the probability of extinction 
with time using a simple formula that accounts for the main threat that 
black abalone faces: withering syndrome. The probability of extinction 
is considered as a function of two parameters (R=the probability that 
the northward spread of withering syndrome will cease very soon and 
S=the probability that resistance will emerge very soon in the host). 
If this threat alone results in a high risk of extinction in a short 
time (i.e. 30 years- the expected life span of black abalone), then 
analysis of that factor alone may suffice to evaluate whether the 
species is in danger of extinction currently or in the foreseeable 
future. Assuming R and S are independent, the overall probability of 
functional extinction (i.e. the reproductive potential of isolated 
survivors is zero and no viable populations remain) in 30 years based 
on the SRT members' best professional judgment was 96 percent.

Summary of Factors Affecting the Species

    According to section 4 of the ESA, the Secretary of Commerce 
(Secretary) determines whether a species is threatened or endangered as 
a result of any (or a combination) of the following factors: the 
present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its 
habitat or range; overutilization for commercial, recreational, 
scientific or educational purposes; disease or predation; inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or other natural or man-made factors 
affecting its continued existence. Collectively, these are often 
referred to as ``factors for decline'' or ``listing factors.
    To determine the species' present vulnerability to extinction, we 
considered the historic, current, and/or potential impact of the 
listing factors on black abalone, as these relate to current species 
distribution and abundance, and the other demographic factors discussed 
above.

Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment of its 
Habitat or Range

    Elevated water temperatures are likely to have contributed to the 
decline of black abalone and pose a serious threat to the ability of 
the species to persist, because elevated water temperatures are 
correlated with accelerated rates of withering syndrome transmission 
and disease-induced mortality. Water temperatures can become elevated 
because of anthropogenic sources of thermal effluent and long and 
short-term climate change (e.g., global climate change and El Nino 
Southern Oscillation). Although there is no explicitly documented 
causal link between the existence of withering syndrome and long-term 
climate change, patterns observed over the past three decades suggest 
that progression of ocean warming associated with large-scale climate 
change may facilitate further and more prolonged vulnerability of black 
abalone to effects of withering syndrome.
    Other activities leading to substrate destruction, such as coastal 
development, recreational access, cable repairs, nearshore military 
operations and benthic community shifts, have a narrow geographic 
scope, uncertain or indirect effects on black abalone, or occur 
infrequently. Some exceptions may exist in the cases of sedimentation 
and sea level rise, because these threats have the potential to produce 
more widespread impacts; but the certainty that these factors will 
affect black abalone are low. For example, sea level rise may result in 
loss of suitable habitat in a preferred depth range because of 
increased erosion, turbidity and siltation; but we currently lack 
information to determine whether these habitat changes will be 
important factors for further decline.
    Finally, reduced food quality and quantity were classified as 
having a relatively low impact. Studies have shown that reductions and 
increases in kelp abundance are not correlated with black abalone 
abundance (e.g., Friedman et al., 1997). Thus, reduced food quality and 
quantity has likely not played an important role in the overall decline 
of black abalone, and unless new information surfaces, this factor is 
not believed to pose a significant threat in the future.

Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific or Educational 
Purposes

    Throughout most of the species' range, local densities are below 
the critical threshold density required for successful spawning and 
recruitment. These low densities have occurred in part because of 
overutilization for commercial and recreational purposes prior to the 
California fishery closure in 1993. (The other major cause for these 
mass moralities is withering syndrome. See Disease or Predation below). 
Data from abalone fisheries in California and Baja California, Mexico 
indicate a decline in landings of at least 93 percent during the 1990s. 
These reductions, however, may not be indicative of population declines 
due only to fishing activities because mass mortalities due to 
withering syndrome had begun in many locations at approximately the 
same time. Rogers-Bennett et al. (2002) estimate that the California 
abalone fisheries may have contributed up to a 99 percent reduction in 
black abalone abundance in the USA, but the population may have already 
been declining due to the effects of withering syndrome (see Status of 
Black Abalone above). Thus, the estimated take of 3.5 million black 
abalone in California's commercial and recreational abalone fisheries 
likely contributed to the decline of local densities. This threat no 
longer exists in California because the black abalone fisheries were 
closed in 1993. The limited information we have from Mexico makes it 
difficult to ascertain the relative importance of fishing to overall 
species decline.

Disease or Predation

    Withering syndrome in black abalone is caused by a Rickettsia-like 
prokaryotic organism, ``Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis'' 
(Gardner et al., 1995; Friedman et al., 1997; Friedman et al., 2000; 
Friedman et al., 2002). Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis 
(hereafter ``abalone rickettsia'') occurs in epithelial cells of the 
gastrointestinal tract. Infected symptomatic animals are unable to 
transfer digested food materials from the gut lumen into the epithelial 
cells and beyond, resulting in malnutrition, dramatic loss of tissue 
mass, and eventual death. The same pathogen is known to cause symptoms 
of withering syndrome in red abalone, and mortality rate is positively 
associated with water temperature in both red and black

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abalone (Moore et al., 2000a, b; Vilchis et al., 2005).
    The first reported occurrence of significant numbers of black 
abalone with symptoms of withering syndrome on the California mainland 
was in San Luis Obispo County in 1988 (Steinbeck et al., 1992). 
Afflicted animals were found primarily within a cove receiving warmed 
effluent seawater from the cooling system of a nearby nuclear power 
plant. A mass mortality of black abalone occurred at the site between 
1988 and 1989, with mortality rates correlating well to local patterns 
of sea temperature elevation associated with power plant effluent 
(Steinbeck et al., 1992).
    In wild animals symptomatic for withering syndrome, weakness 
resulting from the disease may cause the individual to lose the 
typically secure grip on the rocky substratum in response to wave 
impacts, allowing attack by predators or scavengers before the 
individual succumbs to the disease itself. Transfer of pathogens from 
animal to animal is fecal to oral on a local scale, and is therefore 
likely facilitated by aggregation of abalone in natural habitats. 
Transmission pathways on large spatial scales are entirely unknown at 
present. The pathogen for withering syndrome is now reported to be 
endemic to all the coastal marine waters of central (Friedman and 
Finley, 2003) and southern California (Moore et al., 2002) south of San 
Francisco.
    In the vast majority of cases where long-term monitoring data are 
available, the appearance of animals symptomatic for withering syndrome 
in a population lead inevitably to rapid and dramatic declines in 
population size, most often in excess of 90 percent (Tissot, 2007). The 
pattern has been documented for black abalone populations throughout 
the range in California. Reports indicate similar trends for black 
abalone populations in Mexico. Exceptions exist at San Miguel Island, 
where rates of decline at some long-term study sites have been 
atypically slow, and at one location each on Santa Cruz and San Nicolas 
islands. These exceptions suggest the potential for resilience and 
recovery in populations reduced dramatically by withering syndrome. 
However, Tissot (2007) describes the negative impacts of withering 
syndrome in multiple locations across the entire range of the species, 
coupled with evidence of increasing geographic scope of impact. Tissot 
(2007) indicates that withering syndrome continues to damage the size 
and sustainability of black abalone populations on a large scale.
    We conclude that withering syndrome has been and continues to be 
the primary threat contributing to the decline of black abalone. The 
disease has caused mass mortality and near extirpation of populations 
throughout most of the species' range and the disease continues to 
spread to populations in Monterey County and to the north. The rate at 
which the disease is spreading northward will likely be exacerbated by 
warmer water temperatures that may result due to a variety of factors.
    Abalone face predatory pressure from a number of consumer species 
such as gastropods, octopuses, lobsters, sea stars, fishes and sea 
otters (Ault, 1985; Estes and VanBlaricom, 1985; Shepherd and Breen, 
1992). Despite the large number of identified abalone predators, we are 
aware of no studies that estimate mortality rates of black abalone in 
association with the predator species that have been identified. In the 
past black abalone populations were much more robust and able to absorb 
losses due to predation without compromising viability. Now that the 
few remaining populations are smaller, more isolated, and still 
declining throughout the range, predation may pose risk to the future 
survival of the species. In addition, non-anthropogenic predation could 
limit the effectiveness of future recovery efforts by interacting with 
other limiting factors.

Inadequate Regulatory Mechanisms

    Although withering syndrome is spread largely by factors other than 
aquaculture, there is evidence suggesting that aquaculture operations 
provide a pathway for the spread of the disease (Friedman and Finley, 
2003). Past State and federal regulations were not adequate to prevent 
the spread of withering syndrome within and outside the United States 
through the transfer of infected animals from one aquaculture facility 
to another and outplanting of infected animals from aquaculture 
facilities to the wild.
    Recent State regulations to carefully monitor the health of abalone 
at aquaculture facilities and control the importation/exportation of 
abalone among facilities will likely reduce the threat that the 
aquaculture industry poses in the future. Currently, the State monitors 
aquaculture facilities for introduced organisms and disease on a 
regular basis. There is also a restriction on out-planting abalone from 
facilities which have not met certification standards. If new State 
regulations to carefully monitor aquaculture facilities are effective, 
the future threat that they pose to black abalone will be limited. In 
fact, aquaculture may emerge as an important, and possibly the only 
effective recovery tool for restoring black abalone populations through 
captive propagation and outplanting efforts.
    Purposeful illegal harvest, typically termed poaching, has been a 
source of mortality for black abalone throughout their range since the 
establishment of harvesting regulations by the State of California 
(Taniguchi, unpublished data). Since the closure of the California 
black abalone fishery in 1993, a number of black abalone poaching cases 
along the California mainland coast, particularly in the northern 
portion of black abalone's geographic range, have been documented by 
the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) from 1993-2003 
(Taniguchi, unpublished data). The chronic virtual absence of black 
abalone populations from highly accessible intertidal habitats near 
human population centers in California during the twentieth century 
also supports the conclusion that poaching has been a source of abalone 
mortality.
    Enforcement effort has varied over the ten-year time period of 
1993-2003, and was increased in 2000 because of coordinated efforts 
between CDFG marine and coastal regions and planned overflights along 
the Central California coast during low tides. The problem of poaching 
persists, and existing regulatory mechanisms have not yet effectively 
reduced the risks posed by illegal take.

Other Natural or Man-made Factors

    Environmental pollutants and toxins are likely present in areas 
where black abalone have occurred and still occur, but evidence 
suggesting causal and/or indirect negative effects on black abalone due 
to exposure to pollutants or toxins is limited (e.g., Martin et al., 
1977; Miller and Lawrenz-Miller, 1993). There is ongoing concern that 
accidentally spilled oil from offshore drilling platforms or various 
types of commercial vessels could occur near shore in California and 
could affect a significant proportion of black abalone habitat; 
however, at this time we are uncertain how such an event would impact 
the species' overall status. The overall risk that environmental 
pollutants and toxins have posed is probably low given their limited 
geographic scope and uncertain effects on black abalone; however, a 
single event, depending on where it occurs, could irreparably damage 
one or more of the few remaining viable populations of black abalone.

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    A small number of studies have examined the effects of elevated 
ocean acidity on marine gastropods and the coralline algae they graze 
upon at settlement. Although the magnitude and timing of ocean 
acidification remain uncertain and no direct linkages have been 
established between ocean acidification and black abalone, reduced pH 
levels have the potential to result in mortality, lower reproductive 
potential, and reduced individual growth.
    Entrainment or impingement of young stages of black abalone may 
result when activities that require intake of seawater are conducted 
(e.g., desalination plants, coastal power generating facilities, and 
liquefied natural gas terminals). Entrainment or impingement risk is 
likely to be relatively low because larvae and juveniles are spatially 
and temporally restricted (McShane, 1992; Chambers et al., 2005, Hamm 
and Burton, 2000). Thus, the potential for large numbers of young black 
abalone to be present in a volume of water that becomes entrained at a 
sea water intake is likely low. However, until studies examine the 
potential for traditional and new power generating methods to entrain 
or impinge early life stages of black abalone, the effects of these 
activities on the species remain highly uncertain.

SRT Assessment of Overall Extinction Risk

    The SRT concluded unanimously that black abalone is in danger of 
extinction throughout all of its range. The spread of withering 
syndrome poses imminent and significant risk to the species and 
exacerbates the high levels of demographic risk to which black abalone 
are subject as a result of extremely low local densities, low levels of 
growth and productivity, limited spatial structure and connectivity, 
and loss of genetic diversity. In addition, the SRT estimated that 
there is approximately a 96 percent probability that black abalone will 
suffer functional extinction throughout its range within the next 30 
years.

Efforts Being Made to Protect the Species

    When considering the listing of a species, section 4(b)(1)(A) of 
the ESA requires consideration of efforts by any State, foreign nation, 
or political subdivision of a State or foreign nation to protect such 
species. Such efforts would include measures by Native American tribes 
and organizations and local governments, and may also include efforts 
by private organizations. Also, Federal, tribal, state, and foreign 
recovery actions developed pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1533(f) constitute 
conservation measures. On March 28, 2003, NMFS and the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) published the final Policy for Evaluating 
Conservation Efforts (PECE)(68 FR 15100). The PECE provides guidance on 
evaluating current protective efforts identified in conservation 
agreements, conservation plans, management plans, or similar documents 
(developed by Federal agencies, state and local governments, tribal 
governments, businesses, organizations, and individuals) that have not 
yet been implemented or have been implemented but have not yet 
demonstrated effectiveness. The PECE establishes two basic criteria for 
evaluating current conservation efforts: (1) the certainty that the 
conservation efforts will be implemented, and (2) the certainty that 
the efforts will be effective. The PECE provides specific factors under 
these two basic criteria that direct the analysis of adequacy and 
efficacy of existing conservation efforts. As evaluated pursuant to 
PECE, the protective efforts described below do not as yet, 
individually or collectively, provide sufficient certainty of 
implementation and effectiveness to counter the extinction risk 
assessment conclusion that the species is in danger of extinction 
throughout its range.

National Marine Fisheries Service Programs

    Black abalone was added to NMFS= Candidate Species List on June 23, 
1999 (64 FR 33466), and remained on this list after we redefined the 
term ``candidate species'' on April 15, 2004 (69 FR 19975). Candidate 
species are those petitioned species that are actively being considered 
for listing as endangered or threatened under the ESA, as well as those 
species for which we have announced initiation of an ESA status review 
in the Federal Register. Black abalone was also added to the NMFS' 
Species of Concern List, which was created on April 15, 2004 (69 FR 
19975). Species of concern are those species about which we have some 
concerns regarding status and threats, but for which insufficient 
information is available to indicate a need to list the species under 
the ESA. . Neither the ``candidate species'' nor ``species of concern'' 
classification carries any procedural or substantive protections under 
the ESA.

National Marine Sanctuaries Program

    Three coastal national marine sanctuaries in California contain 
intertidal habitat suitable for black abalone: Channel Islands National 
Marine Sanctuary (CINMS), Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary 
(MBNMS), and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS). 
These sanctuary sites, administered by NOAA, are protected by federal 
regulations pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act of 1972 as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.). See 15 CFR parts 922.71, 922.132, and 
922.91, respectively. The regulations, which are similar at all three 
sites, provide protection against some of the threats to black abalone. 
At all three sanctuaries, the inshore boundary extends to the mean high 
water line, thus encompassing intertidal habitat.
    Direct disturbance to or development of black abalone intertidal 
habitat is regulated at all three national marine sanctuaries. The 
regulations at all three sanctuaries require permits for the alteration 
of, construction upon, drilling into, or dredging of the seabed 
(including the intertidal zone), with exceptions for anchoring, 
installing navigation aids, special dredge disposal sites (MBNMS only), 
harbor-related maintenance, and bottom tending fishing gear in areas 
not otherwise restricted.
    Water quality in black abalone habitat is regulated by strict 
discharge regulations at all three national marine sanctuaries. The 
regulations require permits for the discharge or deposit of pollutants 
within or into sanctuaries, except for the discharge or deposit of 
effluents required for normal boating operations (e.g., vessel cooling 
waters and effluents from marine sanitation devices, fish wastes and 
bait).
    In addition to the permit requirement for the disturbance of the 
submerged lands of any sanctuary resource, which would be necessary to 
take black abalone, networks of marine reserves and marine conservation 
areas have been established by the CDFG and NOAA within the CINMS and 
by CDFG along portions of the MBNMS. Within these areas, especially 
within CINMS where the protected areas have been in place since 2003 
and are within the Channel Islands National Park, multi-agency patrols 
provide elevated levels of enforcement presence and increased 
protection against poaching of black abalone.
     We conclude that these regulations do not sufficiently ameliorate 
the extinction risk facing the species. Though the regulations may help 
slow the rate at which withering syndrome, the main risk facing the 
species, is progressing, they are unlikely to stop the progression of 
withering syndrome in the near future.

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State/Local Programs

    The depleted condition of abalone resources prompted the California 
Fish and Game Commission to close all abalone fisheries south of San 
Francisco by 1997, beginning with the black abalone fishery in 1993. 
The southern abalone fishery was closed indefinitely with the passage 
of the Thompson bill (AB 663) in 1997. This bill created a moratorium 
on taking, possessing, or landing abalone for commercial or 
recreational purposes in ocean waters south of San Francisco, including 
all offshore islands. The Thompson bill also mandated the creation of 
an Abalone Recovery and Management Plan (ARMP), which was finalized in 
December 2005. The bill further required the Fish and Game Commission 
to undertake abalone management in a manner consistent with the ARMP.
    The CDFG's ARMP provides a cohesive framework for the recovery of 
depleted abalone populations in southern California, and for the 
management of the northern California fishery and future fisheries. All 
of California's abalone species are included in this plan: red, green, 
pink, white, pinto (Haliotis kamtschatkana, including H.k. assimilis), 
black, and flat abalone (H. walallensis). The ARMP provides a mechanism 
for helping to slow the progression of disease and invasive/exotic 
species through better monitoring of aquaculture facilities; however, 
this effort may only make a relatively small difference to the threat 
that disease poses given that spread of withering syndrome is due 
largely to factors other than aquaculture operations. The ARMP also 
provides a framework for restoring black abalone populations through 
translocation and captive propagation and enhancement programs; 
however, detailed plans and methodologies have neither been drafted nor 
tested and therefore their effectiveness for conserving black abalone 
remains uncertain.

International Conservation Efforts

    The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural 
Resources (IUCN) publishes a Red List of species that are at high risk 
of extinction and, when data are sufficient, categorizes species as 
either Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, 
Vulnerable, Near Threatened, or of Least Concern (IUCN, 2001). In 2003 
the IUCN, based on an assessment by Smith et al. (2003), placed black 
abalone on the Red List as Critically Endangered under criterion A4e. 
Under criterion A4e, a species may be classified as Critically 
Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable when its population size, 
measured over the longer of 10 years or three generations, has declined 
greater than or equal to 80, 50, or 30 percent respectively, due to an 
``observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population 
reduction (up to a maximum of 100 years) where the time period must 
include both the past and the future, and where the causes of reduction 
may not have ceased or may not be understood or may not be reversible, 
based on the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, 
pollutants, competitors or parasites'' (IUCN, 2006). Inclusion on the 
IUCN Red List does not carry any regulatory weight with regard to 
conserving black abalone.

Final Listing Determination

    Section 4(b)(1) of the ESA requires that the listing determination 
be based solely on the best scientific and commercial data available, 
after conducting a review of the status of the species and after taking 
into account those efforts, if any, being made by any state or foreign 
nation to protect and conserve the species. We have reviewed the 
petition, the draft status report and the public comments, considered 
protective efforts being made and other available published and 
unpublished information, and consulted with species experts and other 
individuals familiar with black abalone. On the basis of the best 
available scientific and commercial information, we conclude that black 
abalone is presently in danger of extinction throughout all of its 
range. This endangered determination is based on a suite of risks that 
black abalone face especially: (1) the spread of and mortality caused 
by a disease called withering syndrome; (2) low adult densities below 
the critical threshold density required for successful spawning and 
recruitment; (3) elevated water temperatures that have accelerated the 
spread of withering syndrome; (4) reduced genetic diversity that will 
render extant populations less capable of dealing with both long- and 
short-term environmental or anthropogenic challenges; and (5) illegal 
harvest. The principal threat to black abalone is withering syndrome 
and associated conditions that may promote the spread of the disease 
(e.g., suboptimal water temperatures and introduction of infected 
animals into previously unaffected areas). Withering syndrome has 
caused mass mortality and near extirpation of populations in the recent 
past, and the spread of withering syndrome threatens the species with a 
very high probability (96 percent) of extinction within the next 30 
years. This threat is unlikely to be ameliorated sufficiently by 
current conservation efforts.

Prohibitions and Protective Measures

    Section 9 of the ESA prohibits certain activities (e.g., 
importation, exportation, take, sale, and delivery) that directly or 
indirectly affect endangered species. These activities would constitute 
a violation of section 9, and prohibitions apply to all individuals, 
organizations, and agencies subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Sections 
10(a)(1)(A) and (B) of the ESA authorize NMFS to grant exceptions to 
the ESA's section 9 take prohibitions. Section 10(a)(1)(A) scientific 
research and enhancement permits may be issued to entities (Federal and 
non-federal) for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or 
survival of a listed species. Activities potentially requiring a 
section 10(a)(1)(A) research/enhancement permit include scientific 
research that targets black abalone. Under section 10(a)(1)(B), the 
Secretary may permit takings otherwise prohibited by section 9(a)(1)(B) 
if such taking is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the carrying 
out of an otherwise lawful activity, provided that the requirements of 
section 10(a)(2) are met.
    Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA requires Federal agencies to consult 
with NMFS to ensure that activities they authorize, fund, or carry out 
are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed 
species or to destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. Under 
section 7(a)(4), Federal agencies must confer with us on any of these 
activities to ensure that any such activity is not likely to jeopardize 
the continued existence of a species proposed for listing or destroy or 
adversely modify proposed critical habitat. Examples of Federal actions 
that may affect black abalone include permits and authorizations 
relating to coastal development and habitat alteration, oil and gas 
development, military operations, coastal power plant operations, toxic 
waste and other pollutant discharges, and aquaculture operations.

Identification of Activities That Would Constitute a Violation of 
Section 9 of the ESA

    On July 1, 1994, NMFS and USFWS published a policy to identify, to 
the maximum extent possible, those activities that would or would not 
constitute a violation of section 9 of the ESA once a species is listed 
(59 FR 34272). The intent of this policy is to increase public 
awareness of the effect

[[Page 1945]]

of listings on proposed and ongoing activities within the species' 
range. We identify, to the extent known, specific activities that will 
be considered likely to result in violation of section 9, as well as 
activities that will not be considered likely to result in violation. 
Activities that we believe could result in violation of section 9 
prohibitions against ''take'' of black abalone include: (1) 
unauthorized take; (2) activities that directly result in elevation of 
sea surface temperatures (e.g. thermal effluent from power plants); (3) 
substrate destruction in intertidal habitats that adversely affects 
black abalone (e.g., coastal development, recreational access, oil 
spills, sea level rise); (4) unauthorized transfer of abalone species 
among aquaculture facilities or from aquaculture facilities to the 
wild; (5) discharging or dumping toxic chemicals or other pollutants 
into areas used by black abalone; and (6) unpermitted scientific 
research activities. We believe, based on the best available 
information, the following actions will not result in a violation of 
section 9: (1) possession of black abalone which are acquired lawfully 
by permit issued by NMFS pursuant to section 10 of the ESA, or by the 
terms of an incidental take statement pursuant to section 7 of the ESA; 
(2) federally funded or approved projects for which ESA section 7 
consultation has been completed, and when activities are conducted in 
accordance with any terms and conditions provided by NMFS in an 
incidental take statement accompanying a biological opinion. These 
lists are not exhaustive. They are intended to provide some examples of 
the types of activities that might or might not be considered by NMFS 
as constituting a take of black abalone under the ESA and its 
regulations.

Critical Habitat

    Critical habitat is defined in section 3 of the ESA as: (i) the 
specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species, at 
the time it is listed in accordance with the ESA, on which are found 
those physical or biological features (I) essential to the conservation 
of the species and (II) which may require special management 
considerations or protection; and (ii) specific areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed upon 
a determination that such areas are essential for the conservation of 
the species (16 U.S.C. 1532(5)(A)). ``Conservation'' means the use of 
all methods and procedures needed to bring the species to the point at 
which listing under the ESA is no longer necessary (16 U.S.C. 1532(3)). 
Section 4(a)(3)(A) of the ESA requires that, to the maximum extent 
prudent and determinable, critical habitat be designated concurrently 
with the listing of a species (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(3)(A)(i)). If critical 
habitat is not determinable at the time of listing, an extension of one 
year may be given, during which critical habitat must be designated (16 
U.S.C. 1533(b)(6)(C)(ii)). Designations of critical habitat must be 
based on the best scientific data available and must take into 
consideration the economic, national security, and other relevant 
impacts of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. Once 
critical habitat is designated, section 7 of the ESA requires Federal 
agencies to ensure that they do not fund, authorize or carry out any 
actions that are likely to destroy or adversely modify that habitat. 
This requirement is in addition to the section 7 requirement that 
Federal agencies ensure that their actions do not jeopardize the 
continued existence of listed species. We are currently considering 
critical habitat for black abalone, but a proposed designation is not 
yet determinable because: (1) we lack information sufficient to perform 
required analyses of the impacts of the designation; and (2) the 
habitat requirements of the species are not sufficiently well known to 
permit identification of an area as critical habitat. Thus, we seek 
public input to assist in gathering and analyzing the best available 
scientific data and information to support a critical habitat 
designation, which will be proposed in a subsequent Federal Register 
notice. Specifically, we seek information regarding: (1) current or 
planned activities within the range of black abalone, their possible 
impact on black abalone, and how those activities could be affected by 
a critical habitat designation; (2) quantitative evaluations describing 
the quality and extent of marine intertidal or subtidal habitats 
occupied in the past or presently by black abalone; and (3) the 
economic costs and benefits likely to result from the designation of 
critical habitat. We will continue to meet with co-managers and other 
stakeholders throughout the designation process.
    Joint NMFS/USFWS regulations for listing endangered and threatened 
species and designating critical habitat at section 50 CFR 424.12(b) 
state that the agency ``shall consider those physical and biological 
features that are essential to the conservation of a given species and 
that may require special management considerations or protection'' 
(hereafter also referred to as ``essential features''). Pursuant to the 
regulations, such requirements include, but are not limited to the 
following: (1) space for individual and population growth, and for 
normal behavior; (2) food, water, air, light, minerals, or other 
nutritional or physiological requirements; (3) cover or shelter; (4) 
sites for breeding, reproduction, rearing of offspring, germination, or 
seed dispersal; and generally; (5) habitats that are protected from 
disturbance or are representative of the historic geographical and 
ecological distributions of a species. These regulations go on to 
emphasize that the agency shall focus on essential features within the 
specific areas considered for designation. These features ``may 
include, but are not limited to, the following: spawning sites, feeding 
sites, seasonal wetland or dryland, water quality or quantity, 
geological formation, vegetation type, tide, and specific soil types.''

Information Solicited

    To ensure that a designation of critical habitat will be as 
accurate and effective as possible, we solicit information from the 
public, other governmental agencies, the scientific community, 
industry, and any other interested parties. Specifically, we are 
interested in any information that will inform the designation 
including: (1) quantitative evaluations describing the quality and 
extent of marine intertidal or subtidal habitats (occupied currently or 
occupied in the past, but no longer occupied) for black abalone as well 
as information on areas that may qualify as critical habitat for black 
abalone in the future; (2) biological or other relevant data concerning 
threats to black abalone including, but not limited to: toxicological 
studies on the adverse effects of chemicals on black abalone and 
epidemiological data relating to withering syndrome; (3) current or 
planned activities within the range of black abalone and their possible 
impact on black abalone; (4) efforts being made to protect black 
abalone; (5) activities that could be affected by a critical habitat 
designation; and (6) the economic costs and benefits of additional 
requirements of management measures likely to result from the 
designation of critical habitat (see DATES and ADDRESSES).

References

    A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon 
request (see ADDRESSES section).

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Classification

National Environmental Policy Act

    The 1982 amendments to the ESA, in section 4(b)(1)(A), restrict the 
information that may be considered when assessing species for listing. 
Based on this limitation of criteria for a listing decision and the 
opinion in Pacific Legal Foundation v. Andrus, 675 F. 2d 825 (6th Cir. 
1981), NMFS has concluded that ESA listing actions are not subject to 
the environmental assessment requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA; See NOAA Administrative Order 216 6.)

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Flexibility Act and Paperwork 
Reduction Act

    As noted in the Conference Report on the 1982 amendments to the 
ESA, economic impacts cannot be considered when assessing the status of 
a species. Therefore, the economic analysis requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act are not applicable to the listing process. 
In addition, this rule is exempt from review under Executive Order 
12866. This proposed rule does not contain a collection-of-information 
requirement for the purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Federalism

    NMFS has conferred with the State of California in the course of 
assessing the status of black abalone through quarterly coordination 
meetings between the CDFG and NMFS and CDFG technical peer review of 
the black abalone draft status review report. The coordination meetings 
contributed to our consideration of Federal, state and local 
conservation measures. The CDFG technical peer review comments were 
considered and comments and information were incorporated into the 
final version of the status review report. As subsequent issues with 
ESA compliance and rulemaking arise (e.g., issuance of permits, 
critical habitat designation, recovery planning), we will continue to 
communicate with the States, and other affected local or regional 
entities, giving careful consideratio