Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Conference of the Parties, Twentieth Regular Meeting; Request for Information and Recommendations on Species Proposals, Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items for Consideration, 20489-20492 [2024-06064]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 57 / Friday, March 22, 2024 / Notices
The National Commercial Fishing Safety
Advisory Committee provides advice
and recommendations to the Secretary
of Homeland Security through the
Commandant of the U. S. Coast Guard,
on matters relating to the safe operation
of vessels including the matters of:
(A) navigation safety;
(B) safety equipment and procedures;
(C) marine insurance;
(D) vessel design, construction,
maintenance, and operation; and
(E) personnel qualifications and
training;
Additionally, the Committee will
review regulations proposed under
chapter 45 of title 46 of U.S Code
(during preparation of the regulations)
and review marine casualties and
investigations of vessels covered by
chapter 45 of title 46 U.S. Code and
make recommendations to the Secretary
to improve safety and reduce vessel
casualties.
Agenda
Day 1
The agenda for the National
Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory
Committee is as follows:
I. Opening
a. Call to Order/Designated Federal
Officer (DFO) Remarks.
b. Roll Call/Determination of Quorum.
c. Swear in New Members (as
applicable).
d. U.S. Coast Guard Leadership
Remarks.
II. Administration
a. Review and Adoption of Meeting
Agenda.
b. Meeting Goals.
c. Roberts Rules Simplified.
III. General Updates
a. Old Business.
b. New Business.
IV. Information Session
a. Shipboard Communication
Technologies: CG–672.
b. Mariner Credentials: CG–MMC.
c. Liferaft Service Intervals: CG–ENG.
d. Marine Casualty Case
Familiarization. CG–INV.
V. Public Comment period.
VI. Meeting Recess.
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Day 2
VII. U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
Committee Tasking
a. Task Statement #11–23 (ongoing
initiative from Fall 2023 NCFSAC
meeting). Review and provide
recommendations on the development
of a publicly accessible website that
contains all information related to
fishing industry activities, including
vessel safety, inspections enforcement,
hazards, training, regulations (including
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proposed regulations), outages of the
Rescue 21 system in Alaska and similar
outages, and any other fishing-related
activities.
b. Task Statement #14–24: Committee
make recommendations on processes to
assess, document, and maintain mariner
competency to operate CFVs of less than
200 GRT, including local knowledge
and recency.
c. Task Statement #15–24: Committee
make recommendations regarding
whether the USCG should explore
obtaining legislative authority to require
CFV operators of less than 200 GT hold
a valid USCG issued Merchant
Mariner’s Credential (MMC), and
additional measures to require
crewmembers on CFVs hold crew
competency certificates or Merchant
Mariner’s Document.
d. Task Statement #16–24: Committee
make recommendations on the
feasibility of a multi-year phase-in
implementation that all CFV mariners
on CFVs of less than 200 GT and
operating three miles beyond the
baseline in a near-coastal zone obtain
and maintain a Merchant Mariner
Credential (without a Transportation
Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
requirement).
e. Task Statement #17–24: Committee
make recommendations on the
feasibility of a multi-year phase-in
implementation that all CFV mariners
serving as a Master/Operator of a CFVs
of less than 200 GT and operating three
miles beyond the baseline in a nearcoastal zone obtain and maintain an
Operator of Uninspected Passenger
Vessels (OUPV) Merchant Mariner
Credential (without a TWIC
requirement).
f. Task Statement #18–24: Committee
make recommendations on liferaft
service interval impacts with the
commercial fishing industry and make
recommendations to the USCG.
g. Task Statement #19–24: Make
recommendations to the USCG on a
Committee Special Recognition Award
that acknowledges substantial
accomplishments and contributions to
fishing industry safety.
h. Task Statement #20–24: Committee
make recommendations on processes to
review and implement commercial
fishing vessel mariner fitness-for-duty
for service onboard CFVs of less than
200 GT fitness for duty and service
should include an assessment of overall
health and physical fitness and contain
provisions for the elimination drug and
alcohol usage and management of
fatigue.
i. Task Statement #21–24: Committee
develop guidance and make
recommendations on fatigue limiting
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20489
strategies as well as work/rest hour
logging requirements.
j. Task Statement #22–24: Committee
analyze fatigue and sleep deprivation
impacts with the commercial fishing
industry and make recommendations to
the USCG.
VIII. Formation of Subcommittee(s)
Break Out and Discussions.
a. Action Items by Task.
IX. Public Comment Period.
X. Committee Discussion/Actions.
XI. Meeting Recess.
Day 3
XII. Subcommittee Break Out and
Discussions.
a. Action Items by Task.
XIII. Recommendations and Committee
Actions.
XIV. Full Committee Open Discussion.
XV. Public Comment Period.
XVI. Plans for Next Meeting.
XVII. Closing Remarks/Committee and
USCG.
XVIII. Adjournment of Meeting.
A copy of pre-meeting documentation
will be available at https://
www.dco.uscg.mil/NCFSAC2024/ no
later than April 3, 2024. Alternatively,
you may contact Mr. Jonathan
Wendland as noted in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section above.
There will be a public comment
period scheduled each day of the
meeting. Speakers are requested to limit
their comments to 3 minutes. Please
note that the public comment period
may end before the period allotted,
following the last call for comments.
Please contact the individual listed in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section to register as a speaker.
Dated: March 18, 2024.
Amy M. Beach,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of
Inspections and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2024–06106 Filed 3–21–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS–HQ–IA–2024–0033;
FXIA16710900000–245–FF09A10000]
Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora, Conference of the Parties,
Twentieth Regular Meeting; Request
for Information and Recommendations
on Species Proposals, Resolutions,
Decisions, and Agenda Items for
Consideration
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
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20490
ACTION:
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 57 / Friday, March 22, 2024 / Notices
Notice.
To implement the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES
or the Convention), the Parties to the
Convention meet periodically to review
what species in international trade
should be regulated as well as other
aspects of CITES implementation. The
twentieth regular meeting of the
Conference of the Parties (CoP20) is
tentatively scheduled to be held in the
second half of 2025. The specific date
and location of CoP20 are yet to be
determined. With this notice, we are
soliciting recommendations to amend
Appendices I and II of CITES at CoP20
as well as recommendations for
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items
for discussion at CoP20. We invite you
to provide us with information and
recommendations on animal and plant
species for which the United States
should consider submitting proposals to
amend Appendices I and II. Such
proposals may concern the addition of
species to Appendix I or Appendix II,
the transfer of species from one
Appendix to another, or the removal of
species from the Appendices. We also
invite you to provide us with
information and recommendations on
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items
that the United States might consider
submitting for discussion at CoP20.
Finally, with this notice, we also
describe the United States’ approach to
preparations for CoP20.
DATES: We will consider all information
and comments that we receive on or
before May 21, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by one of the following methods:
(1) Electronically: Using the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov, search for FWS–
HQ–IA–2024–0033, which is the docket
number for this notice.
(2) U.S. mail: Mail comments to:
Public Comments Processing, Attn:
FWS–HQ–IA–2024–0033; U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, MS: PRB (JAO/3W),
5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
22041–3803.
We will not accept email or faxes.
Comments and materials we receive, as
well as supporting documentation, will
be available for public inspection on
https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information pertaining to species
proposals, contact Rosemarie Gnam,
Head, Division of Scientific Authority,
703–358–1708 (phone); 703–358–2276
(fax); or scientificauthority@fws.gov
(email). For information pertaining to
resolutions, decisions, and agenda
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SUMMARY:
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items, contact Naimah Aziz, Head,
Division of Management Authority, at
703–358–2493 (phone); or
managementauthority@fws.gov (email).
Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have
a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY,
TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services.
Individuals outside the United States
should use the relay services offered
within their country to make
international calls to the point of
contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Convention is an international
treaty aimed at ensuring that
international trade in animal and plant
species does not threaten their survival.
Species are included in the Appendices
to CITES and can be found on the CITES
Secretariat’s website at https://cites.org/
eng/app/appendices.php.
Currently there are 184 Parties to
CITES: 183 countries, including the
United States, and the European
Union—a regional economic integration
organization. The Convention calls for
regular meetings of the Conference of
the Parties (CoP). The CoP has decided
that these meetings should be held
every 2–3 years. At the CoP meetings,
the Parties review the implementation
of CITES, make decisions regarding the
financing and function of the CITES
Secretariat located in Switzerland,
consider amendments to Appendices I
and II, consider reports presented by the
Secretariat, and adopt recommendations
for the improved effectiveness of CITES.
Any Party to CITES may propose
amendments to Appendices I and II,
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items
for consideration by all the Parties at the
meeting.
This is our first in a series of Federal
Register notices that, together with at
least one public meeting (time and
location to be announced), provide you
with an opportunity to provide input
into the development of the United
States’ submissions to and negotiating
positions for CoP20. In our second
CoP20 Federal Register notice, we will
announce tentative species proposals
and documents related to resolutions,
decisions, and agenda items that the
United States is considering submitting
for CoP20 and will solicit further
information and comments on them.
Our regulations guiding this public
process can be found in title 50 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at
23.87.
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Announcement of the Twentieth
Meeting of the Conference of the Parties
We hereby notify all interested
entities of the convening of CoP20,
which is tentatively scheduled to be
held in the second half of 2025 at a
location to be determined. The CITES
Secretariat is currently seeking
expressions of interest from Parties to
host CoP20.
United States Approach for CoP20
What are the priorities for United States
submissions to CoP20?
Priorities for United States
submissions to CoP20 continue to be
consistent with the overall objective of
United States participation in CITES: To
maximize the effectiveness of the
Convention in the conservation and
sustainable use of species subject to
international trade. With that in mind,
we consider the following factors in
determining what issues to submit for
inclusion in the agenda at CoP20:
(1) Does the proposed action address
a serious wildlife or plant trade issue
that the United States is experiencing as
a range country for the species in trade
or as a major trader for the species?
Since the primary responsibility of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the
conservation of our domestic wildlife
resources, we will give native species
the highest priority. We will place
particular emphasis on terrestrial and
freshwater species with the majority of
their range in the United States and its
territories that are or may be traded in
significant numbers; marine species that
occur in United States waters or for
which the United States is a major
trader; and threatened and endangered
species for which we and other Federal
and State agencies already have
statutory responsibility for protection
and recovery. We also consider CITES
listings as a proactive measure to
monitor and manage trade in native
species to preclude the need for the
application of stricter measures, such as
listing under the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.), or inclusion in CITES Appendix
I.
(2) Does the proposed action address
a serious wildlife or plant trade issue for
species not native to the United States?
As a major importer of wildlife, plants,
and their products, the United States
has taken responsibility, by working in
close consultation with range countries,
for addressing cases of potential overexploitation of foreign species in the
wild. In some cases, the United States
may not be a range country or a
significant trading country for a species,
but we will work closely with other
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 57 / Friday, March 22, 2024 / Notices
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countries to conserve species being
threatened by unsustainable
exploitation for international trade. We
will consider CITES listings for species
not native to the United States if these
listings will assist in addressing cases of
known or potential over-exploitation of
foreign species in the wild, and in
preventing illegal, unregulated trade,
especially if the United States is a major
importer. These species will be
prioritized based on the extent of trade
and status of a species and also the role
the species plays in the ecosystem, with
emphasis on those species for which
CITES inclusion would provide the
greatest conservation benefits to the
species, associated species, and their
habitats.
(3) Does the proposed action provide
additional conservation benefit for a
species already covered by another
international agreement? The United
States will consider the inclusion of
such a species in the CITES Appendices
when such inclusion would enhance the
conservation of the species by ensuring
that international trade is effectively
regulated and not detrimental to the
survival of the species.
Request for Information and
Recommendations for Amending
Appendices I or II
Through this notice, we solicit
information and recommendations that
will help us identify species that the
United States could propose for
addition to, removal from, or
reclassification in the CITES
Appendices, or to identify issues
warranting attention by the CITES
specialists on zoological and botanical
nomenclature. This request is not
limited to species occurring in the
United States. We encourage the
submission of information on any
species for possible inclusion in,
transfer between, or removal from the
Appendices, including if those species
are subject to international trade that is,
or may become, detrimental to the
survival of the species. We also
encourage you to keep in mind the
approach to CoP20, described above in
this notice, when considering what
proposals the United States should
submit to amend the Appendices.
We ask that you submit robust
information describing: (1) The status of
the species, especially trend
information; (2) conservation and
management programs for the species,
including the effectiveness of
implementation and enforcement
efforts; and (3) the level of international
as well as domestic trade in the species,
especially trend information. Please also
provide any other relevant information,
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including a list of references. Although
not required, we appreciate receiving
complete proposals.
The term ‘‘species’’ is defined under
CITES as ‘‘any species, subspecies, or
geographically separate population
thereof.’’ Each species for which trade is
controlled under CITES is included in
one of three Appendices, either as a
separate listing or incorporated within a
higher taxonomic listing. The basic
standards for inclusion of species in the
Appendices are contained in Article II
of CITES (text of the Convention is on
the CITES Secretariat’s website at
https://cites.org/eng/disc/text.php).
Appendix I includes species threatened
with extinction that are or may be
affected by trade. Appendix II includes
species that, although not necessarily
now threatened with extinction, may
become so unless trade in them is
strictly controlled. Appendix II also
includes species that must be subject to
regulation in order that trade in other
CITES-listed species may be brought
under effective control. Inclusion of
such ‘‘look alike’’ species is usually
necessary because of the difficulty
inspectors have at ports of entry or exit
in distinguishing one species from other
species. Because Appendix III includes
species that have been included in the
Appendix unilaterally by a Party, we are
not seeking input on possible United
States Appendix-III listings with this
notice, and we will not consider or
respond to comments received
concerning Appendix-III listings.
CITES regulates international trade in
whole animals and plants (whether
alive or dead) as well as in any readily
recognizable parts or derivatives of
animals included in Appendices I or II,
and plants included in Appendix I.
With certain exclusions formally
approved by the Parties through the
adoption of annotations, the same
applies to the readily recognizable parts
and derivatives of plant species
included in Appendix II. In summary,
when a species is included in Appendix
I or II, the whole, live or dead, animal
or plant is always included. In addition,
all parts and derivatives thereof are also
included in the same Appendix unless,
for plant species included in Appendix
II, the species is annotated to indicate
that only specific parts and derivatives
are included. Parts and derivatives often
not included (i.e., not regulated) for
Appendix-II plants include: seeds,
spores, pollen (including pollinia),
leaves, and fruit. Please refer to the
CITES Appendices on the Secretariat’s
website at https://cites.org/eng/app/
appendices.php for information on
further exceptions and limitations.
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20491
In 1994, the CITES Parties adopted
criteria for inclusion of species in
Appendices I and II (in Resolution Conf.
9.24 (Rev. CoP17); see https://cites.org/
sites/default/files/documents/COP/19/
resolution/E-Res-09-24-R17.pdf. These
criteria apply to all proposals to amend
the CITES Appendices I and II and are
available from the CITES Secretariat’s
website at https://www.cites.org/eng/res/
index.php or upon request from the
Division of Scientific Authority (contact
information provided above in FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP17) also
provides a format for proposals to
amend the Appendices. This
information is available upon request
from the Division of Scientific Authority
(contact information provided above in
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
What information should be submitted
for proposals to amend Appendices I
and II?
In any recommendations you submit
for possible proposals to amend
Appendices I and II, please include as
much of the following information
about the species as possible in your
submission:
(1) Scientific name and common
name;
(2) Population size estimates
(including references if available);
(3) Population trend information;
(4) Threats to the species (other than
trade);
(5) The level or trend of international
trade (be as specific as possible, but
without a request for new searches of
our records);
(6) The level or trend in total take
from the wild (as specific as reasonable);
and
(7) A short summary statement clearly
presenting the rationale for inclusion in,
or removal or transfer from, one of the
Appendices, including which of the
criteria in Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev.
CoP17) are met.
If you wish to submit more complete
proposals for us to consider, please
consult Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev.
CoP17) for the format for proposals and
a detailed explanation of each of the
categories. Proposals to transfer a
species from Appendix I to Appendix II,
or to remove a species from the
Appendices, must also be in accordance
with the precautionary measures
described in Annex 4 to Resolution
Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP17).
What will we do with information we
receive?
The information that you submit will
help us decide if we should submit, or
co-sponsor with one or more other
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 57 / Friday, March 22, 2024 / Notices
Parties, a proposal to amend the CITES
Appendices. However, there may be
species that qualify for inclusion in
CITES Appendices I or II for which we
decide not to submit a proposal to
CoP20. Our decision will be based on
several factors, including the priorities
we outlined above in the United States’
approach to CoP20. We will consult
range countries for foreign species, and
for species whose range the United
States shares with one or more other
countries.
One important function of the CITES
Scientific Authority of each Party
country is monitoring international
trade in plant and animal species, and
ongoing scientific assessments of the
impact of such trade on species. For
United States native species included in
Appendices I and II, we monitor trade
through export permits issued so that
we can prevent over-utilization and
restrict exports if necessary. We work
closely with States and Native American
Tribes to ensure that species are
appropriately listed in the CITES
Appendices. For these reasons, we
actively seek information about United
States and foreign species subject to
international trade.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Request for Information and
Recommendations on Resolutions,
Decisions, and Agenda Items
Although we have not yet received
formal notice of the provisional agenda
for CoP20, we invite your input on
possible agenda items that the United
States could recommend for inclusion
on the agenda, and on possible
resolutions and decisions of the CoP
that the United States could submit for
consideration. Copies of the agenda and
the results of the last meeting of the CoP
(CoP19), as well as copies of all
currently valid Resolutions and
Decisions of past CoPs, are available on
the CITES Secretariat’s website (https://
www.cites.org/) or from the Division of
Management Authority (contact
information provided above in FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Future Actions
As stated above, CoP20 is tentatively
scheduled to be held in the second half
of 2025, with a location to be
determined. The United States must
submit all proposals to amend
Appendix I or II, and draft resolutions,
decisions, or agenda items for
discussion at CoP20, to the CITES
Secretariat 150 days prior to the start of
the meeting. To meet this deadline and
to prepare for CoP20, we plan to keep
the public informed about the CoP
through a series of additional Federal
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Register notices and website postings in
advance of CoP20. We will announce
the tentative species proposals and
proposed resolutions, decisions, and
agenda items that the United States is
considering submitting to CoP20 and
solicit further information and
comments on them. We will post on our
website an announcement of the species
proposals, draft resolutions, draft
decisions, and agenda items submitted
by the United States to the CITES
Secretariat for consideration at CoP20.
Finally, we will inform you about
preliminary negotiating positions on
resolutions, decisions, and amendments
to the Appendices proposed by other
Parties for consideration at CoP20, and
about how to obtain observer status. We
will also publish an announcement of a
public meeting tentatively to be held
approximately 2–3 months prior to
CoP20, which will provide an
opportunity to receive public input on
our positions regarding CoP20 issues.
The procedures for developing United
States’ documents and negotiating
positions for a meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to CITES are
outlined in 50 CFR 23.87. As noted, we
may modify or suspend the procedures
outlined there if they would interfere
with the timely or appropriate
development of documents for
submission to the CoP and U.S.
negotiating positions.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, please be aware that your
entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available. If you
submit a hardcopy comment that
includes personal identifying
information, you may request at the top
of your document that we withhold this
information from public review;
however, we cannot guarantee that we
will be able to do so.
Author
The primary authors of this notice are
Thomas Leuteritz, Division of Scientific
Authority, and Mark Hofberg, Division
of Management Authority, United States
Fish and Wildlife Service.
Authority
The authority for this action is the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Martha Williams,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–06064 Filed 3–21–24; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[245A2100DD/AAKC001030/
A0A501010.999900]
Indian Gaming; Approval by Operation
of Law of Tribal-State Class III Gaming
Compact (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
of North & South Dakota and the State
of South Dakota)
AGENCY:
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION:
Notice.
This notice publishes the
approval by operation of law of the
Tribal-State Gaming Compact between
the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North
& South Dakota and the State of South
Dakota.
SUMMARY:
The Compact takes effect on
March 22, 2024.
DATES:
Ms.
Paula L. Hart, Director, Office of Indian
Gaming, Office of the Assistant
Secretary—Indian Affairs, Washington,
DC 20240, (202) 219–4066.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988,
25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq., (IGRA) provides
the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary)
with 45 days to review and approve or
disapprove the Tribal-State compact
governing the conduct of Class III
gaming activity on the Tribe’s Indian
lands. See 25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(8). If the
Secretary does not approve or
disapprove a Tribal-State compact
within the 45 days, IGRA provides the
Tribal-State compact is considered to
have been approved by the Secretary,
but only to the extent the compact is
consistent with IGRA. See 25 U.S.C.
2710(d)(8)(D). The IGRA also requires
the Secretary to publish in the Federal
Register notice of the approved TribalState compacts for the purpose of
engaging in Class III gaming activities
on Indian lands. See 25 U.S.C. (d)(8)(D).
The Department’s regulations at 25 CFR
293.4 require all compacts and
amendments to be reviewed and
approved by the Secretary prior to
taking effect. The Secretary took no
action on the Compact between the
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North &
South Dakota and the State of South
Dakota within the 45-day statutory
review period. Therefore, the Compact
is considered to have been approved,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 57 (Friday, March 22, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20489-20492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06064]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2024-0033; FXIA16710900000-245-FF09A10000]
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora, Conference of the Parties, Twentieth Regular Meeting;
Request for Information and Recommendations on Species Proposals,
Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items for Consideration
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
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ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: To implement the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or the Convention),
the Parties to the Convention meet periodically to review what species
in international trade should be regulated as well as other aspects of
CITES implementation. The twentieth regular meeting of the Conference
of the Parties (CoP20) is tentatively scheduled to be held in the
second half of 2025. The specific date and location of CoP20 are yet to
be determined. With this notice, we are soliciting recommendations to
amend Appendices I and II of CITES at CoP20 as well as recommendations
for resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for discussion at CoP20.
We invite you to provide us with information and recommendations on
animal and plant species for which the United States should consider
submitting proposals to amend Appendices I and II. Such proposals may
concern the addition of species to Appendix I or Appendix II, the
transfer of species from one Appendix to another, or the removal of
species from the Appendices. We also invite you to provide us with
information and recommendations on resolutions, decisions, and agenda
items that the United States might consider submitting for discussion
at CoP20. Finally, with this notice, we also describe the United
States' approach to preparations for CoP20.
DATES: We will consider all information and comments that we receive on
or before May 21, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
(1) Electronically: Using the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov, search for FWS-HQ-IA-2024-0033, which is the
docket number for this notice.
(2) U.S. mail: Mail comments to: Public Comments Processing, Attn:
FWS-HQ-IA-2024-0033; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB (JAO/3W),
5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
We will not accept email or faxes. Comments and materials we
receive, as well as supporting documentation, will be available for
public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information pertaining to species
proposals, contact Rosemarie Gnam, Head, Division of Scientific
Authority, 703-358-1708 (phone); 703-358-2276 (fax); or
[email protected] (email). For information pertaining to
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items, contact Naimah Aziz, Head,
Division of Management Authority, at 703-358-2493 (phone); or
[email protected] (email). Individuals in the United States
who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability
may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications
relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the
relay services offered within their country to make international calls
to the point of contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Convention is an international treaty aimed at ensuring that
international trade in animal and plant species does not threaten their
survival. Species are included in the Appendices to CITES and can be
found on the CITES Secretariat's website at https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php.
Currently there are 184 Parties to CITES: 183 countries, including
the United States, and the European Union--a regional economic
integration organization. The Convention calls for regular meetings of
the Conference of the Parties (CoP). The CoP has decided that these
meetings should be held every 2-3 years. At the CoP meetings, the
Parties review the implementation of CITES, make decisions regarding
the financing and function of the CITES Secretariat located in
Switzerland, consider amendments to Appendices I and II, consider
reports presented by the Secretariat, and adopt recommendations for the
improved effectiveness of CITES. Any Party to CITES may propose
amendments to Appendices I and II, resolutions, decisions, and agenda
items for consideration by all the Parties at the meeting.
This is our first in a series of Federal Register notices that,
together with at least one public meeting (time and location to be
announced), provide you with an opportunity to provide input into the
development of the United States' submissions to and negotiating
positions for CoP20. In our second CoP20 Federal Register notice, we
will announce tentative species proposals and documents related to
resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States is
considering submitting for CoP20 and will solicit further information
and comments on them. Our regulations guiding this public process can
be found in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 23.87.
Announcement of the Twentieth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties
We hereby notify all interested entities of the convening of CoP20,
which is tentatively scheduled to be held in the second half of 2025 at
a location to be determined. The CITES Secretariat is currently seeking
expressions of interest from Parties to host CoP20.
United States Approach for CoP20
What are the priorities for United States submissions to CoP20?
Priorities for United States submissions to CoP20 continue to be
consistent with the overall objective of United States participation in
CITES: To maximize the effectiveness of the Convention in the
conservation and sustainable use of species subject to international
trade. With that in mind, we consider the following factors in
determining what issues to submit for inclusion in the agenda at CoP20:
(1) Does the proposed action address a serious wildlife or plant
trade issue that the United States is experiencing as a range country
for the species in trade or as a major trader for the species? Since
the primary responsibility of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the
conservation of our domestic wildlife resources, we will give native
species the highest priority. We will place particular emphasis on
terrestrial and freshwater species with the majority of their range in
the United States and its territories that are or may be traded in
significant numbers; marine species that occur in United States waters
or for which the United States is a major trader; and threatened and
endangered species for which we and other Federal and State agencies
already have statutory responsibility for protection and recovery. We
also consider CITES listings as a proactive measure to monitor and
manage trade in native species to preclude the need for the application
of stricter measures, such as listing under the Endangered Species Act
of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), or inclusion in CITES
Appendix I.
(2) Does the proposed action address a serious wildlife or plant
trade issue for species not native to the United States? As a major
importer of wildlife, plants, and their products, the United States has
taken responsibility, by working in close consultation with range
countries, for addressing cases of potential over-exploitation of
foreign species in the wild. In some cases, the United States may not
be a range country or a significant trading country for a species, but
we will work closely with other
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countries to conserve species being threatened by unsustainable
exploitation for international trade. We will consider CITES listings
for species not native to the United States if these listings will
assist in addressing cases of known or potential over-exploitation of
foreign species in the wild, and in preventing illegal, unregulated
trade, especially if the United States is a major importer. These
species will be prioritized based on the extent of trade and status of
a species and also the role the species plays in the ecosystem, with
emphasis on those species for which CITES inclusion would provide the
greatest conservation benefits to the species, associated species, and
their habitats.
(3) Does the proposed action provide additional conservation
benefit for a species already covered by another international
agreement? The United States will consider the inclusion of such a
species in the CITES Appendices when such inclusion would enhance the
conservation of the species by ensuring that international trade is
effectively regulated and not detrimental to the survival of the
species.
Request for Information and Recommendations for Amending Appendices I
or II
Through this notice, we solicit information and recommendations
that will help us identify species that the United States could propose
for addition to, removal from, or reclassification in the CITES
Appendices, or to identify issues warranting attention by the CITES
specialists on zoological and botanical nomenclature. This request is
not limited to species occurring in the United States. We encourage the
submission of information on any species for possible inclusion in,
transfer between, or removal from the Appendices, including if those
species are subject to international trade that is, or may become,
detrimental to the survival of the species. We also encourage you to
keep in mind the approach to CoP20, described above in this notice,
when considering what proposals the United States should submit to
amend the Appendices.
We ask that you submit robust information describing: (1) The
status of the species, especially trend information; (2) conservation
and management programs for the species, including the effectiveness of
implementation and enforcement efforts; and (3) the level of
international as well as domestic trade in the species, especially
trend information. Please also provide any other relevant information,
including a list of references. Although not required, we appreciate
receiving complete proposals.
The term ``species'' is defined under CITES as ``any species,
subspecies, or geographically separate population thereof.'' Each
species for which trade is controlled under CITES is included in one of
three Appendices, either as a separate listing or incorporated within a
higher taxonomic listing. The basic standards for inclusion of species
in the Appendices are contained in Article II of CITES (text of the
Convention is on the CITES Secretariat's website at https://cites.org/eng/disc/text.php). Appendix I includes species threatened with
extinction that are or may be affected by trade. Appendix II includes
species that, although not necessarily now threatened with extinction,
may become so unless trade in them is strictly controlled. Appendix II
also includes species that must be subject to regulation in order that
trade in other CITES-listed species may be brought under effective
control. Inclusion of such ``look alike'' species is usually necessary
because of the difficulty inspectors have at ports of entry or exit in
distinguishing one species from other species. Because Appendix III
includes species that have been included in the Appendix unilaterally
by a Party, we are not seeking input on possible United States
Appendix-III listings with this notice, and we will not consider or
respond to comments received concerning Appendix-III listings.
CITES regulates international trade in whole animals and plants
(whether alive or dead) as well as in any readily recognizable parts or
derivatives of animals included in Appendices I or II, and plants
included in Appendix I. With certain exclusions formally approved by
the Parties through the adoption of annotations, the same applies to
the readily recognizable parts and derivatives of plant species
included in Appendix II. In summary, when a species is included in
Appendix I or II, the whole, live or dead, animal or plant is always
included. In addition, all parts and derivatives thereof are also
included in the same Appendix unless, for plant species included in
Appendix II, the species is annotated to indicate that only specific
parts and derivatives are included. Parts and derivatives often not
included (i.e., not regulated) for Appendix-II plants include: seeds,
spores, pollen (including pollinia), leaves, and fruit. Please refer to
the CITES Appendices on the Secretariat's website at https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php for information on further exceptions and
limitations.
In 1994, the CITES Parties adopted criteria for inclusion of
species in Appendices I and II (in Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP17);
see https://cites.org/sites/default/files/documents/COP/19/resolution/E-Res-09-24-R17.pdf. These criteria apply to all proposals to amend the
CITES Appendices I and II and are available from the CITES
Secretariat's website at https://www.cites.org/eng/res/index.php or upon
request from the Division of Scientific Authority (contact information
provided above in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Resolution Conf.
9.24 (Rev. CoP17) also provides a format for proposals to amend the
Appendices. This information is available upon request from the
Division of Scientific Authority (contact information provided above in
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
What information should be submitted for proposals to amend Appendices
I and II?
In any recommendations you submit for possible proposals to amend
Appendices I and II, please include as much of the following
information about the species as possible in your submission:
(1) Scientific name and common name;
(2) Population size estimates (including references if available);
(3) Population trend information;
(4) Threats to the species (other than trade);
(5) The level or trend of international trade (be as specific as
possible, but without a request for new searches of our records);
(6) The level or trend in total take from the wild (as specific as
reasonable); and
(7) A short summary statement clearly presenting the rationale for
inclusion in, or removal or transfer from, one of the Appendices,
including which of the criteria in Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP17)
are met.
If you wish to submit more complete proposals for us to consider,
please consult Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP17) for the format for
proposals and a detailed explanation of each of the categories.
Proposals to transfer a species from Appendix I to Appendix II, or to
remove a species from the Appendices, must also be in accordance with
the precautionary measures described in Annex 4 to Resolution Conf.
9.24 (Rev. CoP17).
What will we do with information we receive?
The information that you submit will help us decide if we should
submit, or co-sponsor with one or more other
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Parties, a proposal to amend the CITES Appendices. However, there may
be species that qualify for inclusion in CITES Appendices I or II for
which we decide not to submit a proposal to CoP20. Our decision will be
based on several factors, including the priorities we outlined above in
the United States' approach to CoP20. We will consult range countries
for foreign species, and for species whose range the United States
shares with one or more other countries.
One important function of the CITES Scientific Authority of each
Party country is monitoring international trade in plant and animal
species, and ongoing scientific assessments of the impact of such trade
on species. For United States native species included in Appendices I
and II, we monitor trade through export permits issued so that we can
prevent over-utilization and restrict exports if necessary. We work
closely with States and Native American Tribes to ensure that species
are appropriately listed in the CITES Appendices. For these reasons, we
actively seek information about United States and foreign species
subject to international trade.
Request for Information and Recommendations on Resolutions, Decisions,
and Agenda Items
Although we have not yet received formal notice of the provisional
agenda for CoP20, we invite your input on possible agenda items that
the United States could recommend for inclusion on the agenda, and on
possible resolutions and decisions of the CoP that the United States
could submit for consideration. Copies of the agenda and the results of
the last meeting of the CoP (CoP19), as well as copies of all currently
valid Resolutions and Decisions of past CoPs, are available on the
CITES Secretariat's website (https://www.cites.org/) or from the
Division of Management Authority (contact information provided above in
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Future Actions
As stated above, CoP20 is tentatively scheduled to be held in the
second half of 2025, with a location to be determined. The United
States must submit all proposals to amend Appendix I or II, and draft
resolutions, decisions, or agenda items for discussion at CoP20, to the
CITES Secretariat 150 days prior to the start of the meeting. To meet
this deadline and to prepare for CoP20, we plan to keep the public
informed about the CoP through a series of additional Federal Register
notices and website postings in advance of CoP20. We will announce the
tentative species proposals and proposed resolutions, decisions, and
agenda items that the United States is considering submitting to CoP20
and solicit further information and comments on them. We will post on
our website an announcement of the species proposals, draft
resolutions, draft decisions, and agenda items submitted by the United
States to the CITES Secretariat for consideration at CoP20. Finally, we
will inform you about preliminary negotiating positions on resolutions,
decisions, and amendments to the Appendices proposed by other Parties
for consideration at CoP20, and about how to obtain observer status. We
will also publish an announcement of a public meeting tentatively to be
held approximately 2-3 months prior to CoP20, which will provide an
opportunity to receive public input on our positions regarding CoP20
issues. The procedures for developing United States' documents and
negotiating positions for a meeting of the Conference of the Parties to
CITES are outlined in 50 CFR 23.87. As noted, we may modify or suspend
the procedures outlined there if they would interfere with the timely
or appropriate development of documents for submission to the CoP and
U.S. negotiating positions.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, please be aware
that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available. If you submit a hardcopy
comment that includes personal identifying information, you may request
at the top of your document that we withhold this information from
public review; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do
so.
Author
The primary authors of this notice are Thomas Leuteritz, Division
of Scientific Authority, and Mark Hofberg, Division of Management
Authority, United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Martha Williams,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-06064 Filed 3-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
