Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review for the Non-U.S. Distinct Population Segment of Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata), 38873-38874 [2024-10031]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38873-38874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10031]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD937]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-
Year Review for the Non-U.S. Distinct Population Segment of Smalltooth 
Sawfish (Pristis pectinata)

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

ACTION: Notice of initiation; request for information.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the non-
U.S. distinct population segment (DPS) of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis 
pectinata). NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to 
conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of 
species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best 
scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We 
request submission of any such information on the non-U.S. DPS of 
smalltooth sawfish, particularly information on the status, threats, 
and recovery of the species, that has become available since it was 
listed in 2015.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must 
receive your information no later than July 8, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2024-0062, by the following method:
     Electronic Submission: Submit electronic information via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
enter NOAA-NMFS-2024-0062 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Instructions: Information sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the specified 
period, may not be considered by NMFS. All information received is a 
part of the public record and will generally be posted for public 
viewing on https://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal 
identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential 
business information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information 
submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS 
will accept anonymous submissions (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields 
if you wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adrienne Lohe, Office of Protected 
Resources, (301) 427-8442, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our review of the non-
U.S. DPS of smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) listed as endangered 
under the ESA. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a 
review of listed species at least once every 5 years. This will be the 
first review of this species since it was listed in 2015 under the ESA 
(79 FR 73977, December 12, 2014). The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 
require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing 
species currently under active review. On the basis of such reviews 
under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any species should be 
removed from the list (i.e., delisted) or reclassified from endangered 
to threatened or from threatened to endangered (16 U.S.C. 
1533(c)(2)(B)). As described by the regulations in 50 CFR 424.11(e), a 
species will be delisted if the Secretary determines, based on 
consideration of the factors and standards set forth in 50 CFR 
424.11(c), that the best scientific and commercial data available 
substantiate that: (1) the species is extinct; (2) the species has 
recovered to the point at which it no longer meets the definition of an 
endangered species or a threatened species; (3) new information that 
has become available since the original listing decision shows the 
listed entity does not meet the definition of an endangered species or 
a threatened species; or (4) new information that has become available 
since the original listing decision shows the listed entity does not 
meet the definition of a species. Any change in Federal classification 
would require a separate rulemaking process.
    Background information on the species is available on the NMFS 
website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/smalltooth-sawfish.

Public Solicitation of New Information

    To ensure that the review is complete and based on the best 
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new 
information from the public, governmental agencies, tribes, the 
scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other 
interested parties concerning the status of the DPS. Categories of 
requested information include: (1) species biology including, but not 
limited to, population trends,

[[Page 38874]]

distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; (2) habitat 
conditions including, but not limited to, amount, distribution, and 
important features for conservation; (3) status and trends of threats 
to the DPS and its habitats; (4) conservation measures that have been 
implemented that benefit the DPS, including monitoring data 
demonstrating effectiveness of such measures; and (5) other new 
information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to, 
taxonomic or nomenclatural changes and improved analytical methods for 
evaluating extinction risk.
    If you wish to provide information for the review, you may submit 
your information and materials electronically (see ADDRESSES section). 
We request that all information be accompanied by supporting 
documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or reprints of 
pertinent publications.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: May 3, 2024.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-10031 Filed 5-7-24; 8:45 am]
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