Corals: Proposed ESA Listing • On December 7, 2012, we published a Proposed Rule to list 12 corals as

Endangered • 5 Caribbean: Montastraea annularis, M. faveolata, M. franksi, Dendrogyra cylindrus, and

Mycetophyllia ferox • 7 Indo-Pacific

• We are also Proposing to reclassify elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (A. cervicornis) corals from Threatened to Endangered

• We are also Proposing to list 54 corals as Threatened• 2 Caribbean: Agaricia lamarcki and Dichocoenia stokesi• 52 Indo-Pacific

•We determined listing of 16 species in Indo-Pacific are Not Warranted•Opened 90-day comment period: submit comments by March 7, 2013. •7 public hearings for Caribbean

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 1

Corals: Public Hearing SchedulePuerto RicoMondayFebruary 46-8 p.m.

DNER4th Floor Conference RoomRoad 8838, km. 6.3, Sector El Cinco Río Piedras, Puerto Rico

FloridaMondayJanuary 147-9 p.m.

Nova Southeastern UniversityCenter of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystem Science8000 North Ocean DriveDania Beach, FL

TuesdayFebruary 5 6-8 p.m.

UPR - Mayagüez CampusSalas Eugene Francis, Physics Building, Room # 229Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

TuesdayJanuary 157-9 p.m.

John Pennekamp State Park Visitors Ctr 102601 Overseas HighwayKey Largo, FL

U.S. Virgin IslandsWednesdayFebruary 67-9 p.m.

Buck Island Reef National Monument2100 Church Street, #100Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI

WednesdayJanuary 167-9 p.m.

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center35 East Quay RoadKey West, FL

ThursdayFebruary 77-9 p.m.

Windward Passage HotelVeterans DriveCharlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2

Queen Conch (Strombus gigas)Endangered Species Act Status Review

• In response to petition from WildEarth Guardians, we published a positive 90-day finding saying we will conduct a status review (August 27, 2012).

• We received public comments through October 26, 2012.

• Dr. Richard Appeldoorn (University of Puerto Rico) is conducting a biological assessment for the queen conch. This biological assessment will be used to inform the ESA status review.

• The Fisheries Management Councils and Scientific and Statistical Committees can participate by providing

scientific and commercial information to Dr. Appeldoorn.

• The 12-month Determination is anticipated in Fall 2013: • Possible Decisions: Propose for listing (T or E) or Not Warranted

• Any Proposed Listing would include a 60-day public comment period.

• Public hearings may also be held to solicit public comment.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3

Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus)Endangered Species Act Status Review

• In response to petition from WildEarth Guardians, we published a positive 90-day finding saying we will conduct a status review (October 10, 2012)

• We received public comments through December 10, 2012.

• Dr. Ron Hill (SEFSC) is conducting a biological assessment for Nassau grouper. This biological assessment will be used to inform the ESA status review.

• The Fisheries Management Councils and Scientific and Statistical Committees can participate by providing scientific and commercial information to Dr. Hill.

• The 12-month Determination is anticipated Fall 2013: • Possible Decisions: Propose for listing (T or E) or Not Warranted

• Any Proposed Listing would include a 60-day public comment period.

• Public hearings may also be held to solicit public comment.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4

Yellowtail damselfish (Microspathodon chrysurus) Petition

• We received a petition from WildEarth Guardians to list 8 species of Damselfish. One species (Yellowtail damselfish) is present the Caribbean and the other 7 are in the Pacific.

• We are working on developing a 90-day finding in response to the petition• Possible Decisions: negative or positive indicating if the petition and information in our files suggests a listing may

be warranted.

• We CANNOT accept any comments on this petition at this time.• We CANNOT accept any information on the status of the yellowtail damselfish in the Caribbean at this time.

• We CAN request and accept comments and information if we respond to the petition with a POSITIVE 90-day finding. A 90-day finding indicates we will initiate an ESA status review .

• We will publish a finding in the Federal Register and identify any information we seek.

• The 90-day finding is anticipated in March 2013.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 5

Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) Petition

• We received a petition from WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals to list the scalloped hammerhead either worldwide or as one or more distinct population segments on August 14, 2011.

• In response to the petition we published a positive 90-day finding saying we will conduct a status review (on November 28, 2011).

• Headquarters is working on developing the 12-month Determination. They anticipate a Notice in the Federal Register by February 2013. • Possible Decisions: Identify one worldwide species or split into distinct population segments.

Then propose for listing (T or E), or Not Warranted for species or each DPS.

• Any Proposed Listing would include a 60-day public comment period.

• Public hearings may also be held to solicit public comment.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 6