NOAA: 12-Month Finding for 7 Foreign Elasmobranch Species Under the Endangered Species Act

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

50 CFR Parts 223 and 224
[Docket No. 150909839–5839–01]
RIN 0648–XE184

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants;
12-Month Finding for 7 Foreign Species of Elasmobranchs Under the Endangered Species Act

A Proposed Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 12/07/2015

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

Action: Proposed Rule; 12 Month Petition Finding; Request For Comments.

Summary:

We, NMFS, have completed comprehensive status reviews under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for seven foreign marine elasmobranch species in response to a petition to list those species. These seven species are the daggernose shark (Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus), Brazilian guitarfish (Rhinobatos horkelii), striped smoothhound shark (Mustelus fasciatus), narrownose smoothhound shark (Mustelus schmitti), spiny angel shark (Squatina guggenheim), Argentine angel shark (Squatina argentina), and graytail skate (Bathyraja griseocauda). Based on the best scientific and commercial information available, and after taking into account efforts being made to protect these species, we have determined that the daggernose shark (I. oxyrhynchus), Brazilian guitarfish (R. horkelii), striped smoothhound shark (Mustelus fasciatus), and Argentine angel shark (S. argentina) meet the definition of an endangered species under the ESA. We have determined that the narrownose smoothhound shark (M. schmitti) and spiny angel shark (S. guggenheim) meet the definition of a threatened species under the ESA. Therefore, we propose to list these six species under the ESA. Additionally, we have determined that the graytail skate (B. griseocauda) does not warrant listing under the ESA at this time. We are not proposing to designate critical habitat for any of the species proposed for listing because the geographical areas occupied by these species are entirely outside U.S. jurisdiction, and we have not identified any unoccupied areas within U.S. jurisdiction that are currently essential to the conservation of any of these species. We are soliciting comments on our proposal to list these six foreign marine elasmobranch species.

Dates: Comments on this proposed rule must be received by February 5, 2016. Public hearing requests must be made by January 21, 2016.

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