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The literature in the petition and final action resulting from this review academic and scientific community, information available in our files be as accurate and as effective as tribal and other Native American suggests that water pollution in south possible. Therefore, we open a 60-day groups, Federal and state agencies, the Florida is significantly impacting queen public comment period to solicit private sector, and public interest conch physiology and is affecting the information from the public, groups. population’s growth and impeding the government agencies, the scientific recovery of the historically overfished community, industry, and any other References Cited populations. The information provided interested parties on the status of the A complete list of references is by the petitioner and in our files is queen conch throughout its range available upon request from the limited to the south Florida including: (1) Historical and current Southeast Regional Office, Protected populations. We do not have distribution and abundance of this Resource Division (see ADDRESSES). information regarding the occurrence of species throughout its range; (2) Authority: The authority for this action is this threat in other areas of the species historical and current population the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as range. However, it is possible that trends; (3) biological information (life amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). populations may be history, genetics, population Dated: August 21, 2012. experiencing similar physiological connectivity, etc.); (4) landings and effects resulting from water pollution. trade data; (5) management, regulatory, Alan D. Risenhoover, Based on the information available to us and enforcement information; (6) any Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, at this time, we believe water pollution current or planned activities that may Performing the Functions and Duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for may pose a significant risk to the adversely impact the species; and (7) Regulatory Programs, National Marine species if it is occurring elsewhere. ongoing or planned efforts to protect Fisheries Service. In addition to the information on and restore the species and their [FR Doc. 2012–21090 Filed 8–24–12; 8:45 am] overutilization and water pollution, the habitats. We request that all information petitioner also provided information on be accompanied by: (1) Supporting BILLING CODE 3510–22–P the present and threatened destruction, documentation such as maps, modification, or curtailment of seagrass bibliographic references, or reprints of DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE nursery habitat, the inadequacy of pertinent publications; and (2) the existing regulatory mechanisms, and submitter’s name, address, and any National Oceanic and Atmospheric other natural and manmade factors association, institution, or business that Administration affecting the species existence. Because the person represents. Section 4(b)(1)(A) we have determined that the of the ESA and NMFS’ implementing [Docket No. 120705210–2210–01] information provided on overutilization regulations (50 CFR 424.11(b)) require and other natural or manmade factors that a listing determination be based RIN 0648–XC101 presents substantial information solely on the basis of the best scientific indicating the petitioned action may be and commercial data, without Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; warranted, we are not conducting a consideration of possible economic or 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List detailed analysis of this other other impacts of the determination. Five Species of as information here. During the 60-day public comment Threatened or Endangered Under the period we are seeking information Petition Finding Endangered Species Act related only to the status of the queen We have determined after reviewing conch throughout its range. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries the information contained in the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and petition, as well as information readily Peer Review Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), available in our files, that there is On July 1, 1994, NMFS, jointly with Department of Commerce. substantial information indicating that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ACTION: Ninety-day petition finding, the petitioned action may be warranted, published a series of policies regarding request for information, and initiation of based on the threats of overutilization listings under the ESA, including a status review. for commercial, recreational, scientific policy for peer review of scientific data or education purposes and other natural (59 FR 34270). The intent of the peer SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce a 90- or manmade factors. Because we have review policy is to ensure listings are day finding on a petition to list five found that substantial information was based on the best scientific and species of sturgeon ( sturio, A. presented on the above factors, we will commercial data available. The Office of naccarii, A. mikadoi, A. sinensis, and commence a status review of the Management and Budget issued its Final dauricus), or any distinct species. During our status review, we Information Quality Bulletin for Peer population segments of these species will fully address all five of the factors Review on December 16, 2004. The that the Secretary of Commerce set out in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA. At Bulletin went into effect June 16, 2005, determines may exist, as threatened or the conclusion of the status review, we and generally requires that all endangered under the Endangered will determine whether the petitioned ‘‘influential scientific information’’ and Species Act (ESA). We find that the action is warranted. ‘‘highly influential scientific petition and information in our files information’’ disseminated on or after present substantial scientific or Information Solicited that date be peer reviewed. Because the commercial information indicating that As required by section 4(b)(3)(B) of information used to evaluate this these petitioned actions may be the ESA and NMFS’ implementing petition may be considered ‘‘influential warranted. We will conduct a status regulations (50 CFR 424.14(b)(2)), we scientific information,’’ we solicit the review of these species to determine if are to commence a review of the status names of recognized experts in the field the petitioned actions are warranted. To of the species and make a determination that could take part in the peer review ensure that the status review is within 12 months of receiving the process for this status review (see comprehensive, we are soliciting petition as to whether the petitioned ADDRESSES). Independent peer scientific and commercial information action is warranted. We intend that any reviewers will be selected from the regarding these species (see below).

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DATES: Information and comments on shovelnose/large Amu-dar shovelnose the best available scientific and the subject action must be received by sturgeon/shovelfish) as threatened or commercial information. In such cases, October 26, 2012. endangered under the Endangered we shall conclude the review with a ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, Species Act (ESA). The petition states finding as to whether, in fact, the identified by the code NOAA–NMFS– that all 15 petitioned sturgeon species petitioned action is warranted within 12 2012–0142, addressed to: Dwayne are affected by similar threats: both legal months of receipt of the petition. Meadows, by any of the following and illegal exploitation for meat and/or Because the finding at the 12-month methods: ; habitat loss and degradation; stage is based on a more thorough • Electronic Submissions: Submit all or construction; water review of the available information, as electronic comments via the Federal pollution; and increased competition compared to the narrow scope of review eRulemaking Portal http:// due to habitat loss. Copies of this at the 90-day stage, a ‘‘may be www.regulations.gov. petition are available from us (see warranted’’ finding does not prejudge • Facsimile (fax): 301–713–4060. ADDRESSES, above) or at http:// the outcome of the status review. • Mail: NMFS, 1315 East-West www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/petitions/ Under the ESA, a listing Highway, Room 13632, Silver Spring, sturgeon15_petition2012.pdf. determination may address a ‘‘species,’’ MD 20910. We acknowledged receipt of this which is defined to also include • Hand delivery: You may hand petition in a letter dated April 14, 2012, subspecies and, for any deliver written comments to our office and informed the petitioners that we species, any distinct population during normal business hours at the would determine, pursuant to section 4 segment (DPS) that interbreeds when street address given above. of the ESA, whether the petition mature (16 U.S.C. 1532(16)). A joint Instructions: All comments received presents substantial scientific or NOAA–FWS policy clarifies the are a part of the public record and may commercial information indicating that agencies’ interpretation of the phrase be posted to http://www.regulations.gov the petitioned action may be warranted. ‘‘distinct population segment’’ for the without change. All personally As a result of subsequent discussions purposes of listing, delisting, and identifiable information (for example, between us and the U.S. Fish and reclassifying a species under the ESA name, address, etc.) voluntarily Wildlife Service (FWS), we have (‘‘DPS Policy’’; 61 FR 4722; February 7, submitted by the commenter may be determined that 10 of the 15 petitioned 1996). A species, subspecies, or DPS is publicly accessible. Do not submit sturgeon species are not marine or ‘‘endangered’’ if it is in danger of confidential business information or anadromous and thus not within our throughout all or a significant otherwise sensitive or protected jurisdiction; therefore, those 10 species portion of its range, and ‘‘threatened’’ if information. We will accept anonymous are the responsibility of the FWS. it is likely to become endangered within comments. Attachments to electronic Accordingly, this 90-day finding the foreseeable future throughout all or comments will be accepted in Microsoft considers whether the petitioned a significant portion of its range (ESA Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats actions may be warranted for only the sections 3(6) and 3(20), respectively; 16 only. five marine or anadromous sturgeon U.S.C. 1532(6) and (20)). Pursuant to the species included in the petition: ESA and our implementing regulations, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Acipenser naccarii () we determine whether species are Dwayne Meadows, NMFS, Office of and A. sturio (/Baltic threatened or endangered because of Protected Resources, (301) 427–8403. sturgeon/common sturgeon) in the any one or a combination of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Western , A. sinensis following five section 4(a)(1) factors: Background () in the The present or threatened destruction, region, and A. mikadoi ( modification, or curtailment of habitat On March 12, 2012, we received a sturgeon) and Huso dauricus ( or range; overutilization for commercial, petition from the WildEarth Guardians sturgeon) in the River Basin/Sea recreational, scientific, or educational and Friends of to list 15 of Japan/ region. purposes; disease or predation; species of sturgeon (Acipenser inadequacy of existing regulatory ESA Statutory and Regulatory naccarii—Adriatic sturgeon; A. sturio— mechanisms; and any other natural or Provisions and Evaluation Framework Baltic sturgeon/common sturgeon; A. manmade factors affecting the species’ gueldenstaedtii—; A. Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the ESA of 1973, existence (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1), 50 CFR nudiventris— sturgeon/bastard as amended (U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 424.11(c)). sturgeon/fringebarbel sturgeon/spiny requires, to the maximum extent ESA-implementing regulations issued sturgeon/thorn sturgeon; A. persicus— practicable, that within 90 days of jointly by NMFS and FWS (50 CFR ; A. stellatus—stellate receipt of a petition to list a species as 424.14(b)) define ‘‘substantial sturgeon/star sturgeon; A. baerii— threatened or endangered, the Secretary information’’ in the context of reviewing ; A. dabryanus— of Commerce make a finding on whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a Yangtze sturgeon/Dabry’s sturgeon/river that petition presents substantial species as the amount of information sturgeon; A. sinensis—Chinese sturgeon; scientific or commercial information that would lead a reasonable person to A. mikadoi—; A. indicating that the petitioned action believe that the measure proposed in the schrenckii—Amur sturgeon; Huso may be warranted, and to promptly petition may be warranted. In evaluating dauricus—Kaluga sturgeon; publish such finding in the Federal whether substantial information is fedtschenkoi— Register (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(3)(A)). When contained in a petition, the Secretary Syr-darya /Syr we find that substantial scientific or must consider whether the petition: (1) darya sturgeon; P. hermanni—dwarf commercial information in a petition Clearly indicates the administrative sturgeon/Little Amu-darya shovelnose/ indicates that the petitioned action may measure recommended and gives both little shovelnose sturgeon/Small Amu- be warranted (a ‘‘positive 90-day the scientific and any common name of dar shovelnose sturgeon; P. finding’’), we are required to promptly the species involved; (2) contains kaufmanni—false shovelnose sturgeon/ commence a review of the status of the detailed narrative justification for the Amu darya shovelnose sturgeon/Amu species concerned, during which we recommended measure, describing, darya sturgeon/big Amu darya will conduct a comprehensive review of based on available information, past and

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present numbers and distribution of the available in our files, indicates that the www.natureserve.org/prodServices/ species involved and any threats faced petitioned entity constitutes a ‘‘species’’ statusAssessment.jsp). Thus, when a by the species; (3) provides information eligible for listing under the ESA. Next, petition such classifications, we regarding the status of the species over we evaluate whether the information will evaluate the source information all or a significant portion of its range; indicates that the species at issue faces that the classification is based upon in and (4) is accompanied by the extinction risk that is cause for concern; light of the standards on extinction risk appropriate supporting documentation this may be indicated in information and impacts or threats discussed above. in the form of bibliographic references, expressly discussing the species’ status Sturgeon Species Descriptions reprints of pertinent publications, and trends, or in information describing copies of reports or letters from impacts and threats to the species. We All five of the petitioned species for authorities, and maps (50 CFR evaluate any information on specific which we have jurisdiction are 424.14(b)(2)). demographic factors pertinent to migratory and spawn in freshwater Court decisions clarify the evaluating extinction risk for the species habitats while spending part of their life appropriate scope and limitations of the at issue (e.g., population abundance and cycle in marine or estuarine waters (i.e., Services’ review of petitions at the 90- trends, productivity, spatial structure, they are anadromous). They are benthic day finding stage, in making a age structure, sex ratio, diversity, oriented feeders, eating mostly determination whether a petitioned current and historical range, habitat invertebrates and small fishes. All five action ‘‘may be’’ warranted. As a general integrity or fragmentation), and the of the species are protected under the matter, these decisions hold that a potential contribution of identified Convention on International Trade in petition need not establish a ‘‘strong demographic risks to extinction risk for Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and likelihood’’ or a ‘‘high probability’’ that the species. We then evaluate the Flora (CITES). Acipenser sturio has been a species is either threatened or potential links between these protected under CITES Appendix I since endangered to support a positive 90-day demographic risks and the causative 1983, and the other four species were finding. impacts and threats identified in section protected under Appendix II of CITES We evaluate the petitioner’s request 4(a)(1). in 1998. The IUCN Red list lists all five based upon the information in the Information presented on impacts or species as critically endangered from petition including its references, as well threats should be specific to the species their most recent analysis in 2010. as the information readily available in and should reasonably suggest that one A. sturio and A. naccarii in the Western our files. We do not conduct additional or more of these factors may be Europe Region research, and we do not solicit operative threats that act or have acted information from parties outside the on the species to the point that it may Acipenser sturio is a large species that agency to help us in evaluating the warrant protection under the ESA. can grow to 5 m in length and weigh up petition. We will accept the petitioner’s Broad statements about generalized to 400 kg. Lifespan may reach 100 . sources and characterizations of the threats to the species, or identification It occurred historically in the North and information presented, if they appear to of factors that could negatively impact Baltic seas, the English Channel, and be based on accepted scientific a species, do not constitute substantial most European coasts of the Atlantic principles, unless we have specific information that listing may be Ocean, the and the information in our files that indicates warranted. We look for information Black Sea. The species is tolerant of a the petition’s information is incorrect, indicating that not only is the particular wide range of salinities, spending most unreliable, obsolete, or otherwise species exposed to a factor, but that the of its life in salt water (close to the irrelevant to the requested action. species may be responding in a negative coast) and migrating up to 1000 km to Information that is susceptible to more fashion; then we assess the potential spawn in freshwaters. There is only one than one interpretation or that is significance of that negative response. extant reproductive population that contradicted by other available Many petitions identify risk breeds in the Garonne River in France, information will not be dismissed at the classifications made by other where the last known natural spawning 90-day finding stage, so long as it is organizations or agencies, such as the occurred in 1994. It is now extirpated in reliable and a reasonable person would International Union on the Conservation Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the conclude it supports the petitioner’s of Nature (IUCN), the American Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, assertions. In other words, conclusive Fisheries Society, or NatureServe, as Tunisia and the United Kingdom. information indicating the species may evidence of extinction risk for a species. According to the petitioner and IUCN, meet the ESA’s requirements for listing Risk classifications by other its overall population is decreasing, is not required to make a positive 90- organizations or made under other with more than a 90 percent population day finding. We will not conclude that Federal or state statutes may be decline in the past 75 years based a lack of specific information alone informative, but the classification alone mainly on loss of habitat, along with negates a positive 90-day finding, if a may not provide the rationale for a pollution and exploitation. No natural reasonable person would conclude that positive 90-day finding under the ESA. reproduction has been recorded since the unknown information itself suggests For example, as explained by 1994, and the current wild, native an extinction risk of concern for the NatureServe, their assessments of a population consist of about 20–750 species at issue. species’ do ‘‘not adults. To make a 90-day finding on a constitute a recommendation by Acipenser naccarii is an anadromous petition to list a species, we evaluate NatureServe for listing under the U.S. species that spawns in freshwater after whether the petition presents Endangered Species Act’’ because an estuarine period of growth during substantial scientific or commercial NatureServe assessments ‘‘have which it remains near the shore (at the information indicating that the subject different criteria, evidence mouths of the ) at a depth of 10 to species may be either threatened or requirements, purposes and taxonomic 40 m. It does not enter pure marine endangered, as defined by the ESA. coverage than government lists of waters. Historically they were found in First, we evaluate whether the endangered and , and the southern part of Europe, mostly in information presented in the petition, therefore these two types of lists should the Adriatic Sea area. They grow to 150 along with the information readily not be expected to coincide.’’ (http:// to 200 cm in length. The IUCN analysis

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estimates that this species has declined Tumnin, Viakhtu, and Tym rivers) and provided in the petition and readily more than 80 percent in the past three the Ishikari and Teshio rivers of Japan. available in our files for each species. generations, or 60 years, and it may be It also inhabited the mouths of small A. sturio and A. naccarii in the . The only remaining rivers of the Asian and Korean Region spawning sites may be at the Peninsula, as well as the Amur River, of the Po River and its in and rivers of the Sakhalin Island. Now, The IUCN first rated A. sturio as Italy, an area of occupancy reduced to it spawns persistently only in the ‘‘critically endangered’’ in 1996 and less than 10 km2. According to the Tumnin River. The IUCN analysis reconfirmed that ranking in 2010 by IUCN, there may be fewer than 250 wild documents that the species has been documenting a greater than 90% decline individuals remaining. declining over the past century. Over in the past 75 years. The petitioners argue that A. sturio is highly vulnerable A. sinensis in the Yangtze River Region the past 45 years there has been an estimated 80 percent decline in wild, to exploitation because of its life history Acipenser sinensis is divided into mature individuals. Current population and the age it must reach before it can separate populations based on the river estimates range from 10–30 adults reproduce. The species is prized for its of occurrence: the Chinese entering the Tumnin River for spawning flesh and its caviar and was an sturgeon and the Yangtze River Chinese annually. important commercial species until the sturgeon. This species was historically beginning of the 20th century. The Huso dauricus is a very large species, recorded in southwestern and in petitioners and IUCN also argue that reaching 5.6 m in length and 1000 kg in western Kyushu, Japan and in the bycatch is the major current threat. The weight. Maximum age is reported to be Yellow, Yangtze, Pear, Mingjiang, and species was added to CITES Appendix 80 years. This species historically Qingtang rivers in , but has been II in 1975 and transferred to Appendix inhabited the entire Amur River from its extirpated from all of these areas except I in 1983. According to the petitioners, to its uppermost sections and its for the two rivers noted above. It reaches the development of river systems, tributaries, including the , , over 3 m in length and weighs up to 600 particularly for hydroelectric dams, has kg. According to the IUCN, the Pearl , Nerch, Sungari, Nonni, , also negatively impacted the population River Chinese sturgeon spawns in and Neijian rivers. It is a semi- because adults are unable to return to spring and the Yangtze River Chinese anadromous species that inhabits all their natal rivers to breed. It remains in sturgeon spawns in the fall and is only types of benthic habitats in the large just one location, where 27 spawning present below the . rivers and lakes of the Amur River grounds (of less than 10 km2 total area) Adults can be found in some fishing basin. It is semi-anadromous because remain potentially accessible. The grounds of the and some populations do not migrate to the extraction of gravel in the Garonne River (IUCN, 2010). The IUCN sea as adults. According to the is a potential threat to the spawning assessment documented an estimated petitioners, multiple populations have habitat there. Dam construction, 97.5 percent decline in the spawning been documented. Spawning peaks from pollution and river regulation may have population over a 37- period. the end of May to July and young enter also led to loss and degradation of Recent surveys between 2005 and 2007 the Sea of Okhotsk during the summer. spawning sites. The petition also cites show the total spawning population to Generation length is 20 or more years the 16th Meeting of the CITES Animals be 203–257 individuals (IUCN, 2010). and it has spawning intervals of 4 to 5 Committee in December 2000, quoting a years for females and 3 to 4 years for press release (Cemagref, in litt., 26 A. mikadoi and Huso dauricus in the males (IUCN, 2010). This species has January 2000) that reported an escape of Amur River Basin/Sea of Japan/Sea of been in sharp decline in both stock and several thousand juvenile and several Okhotsk Region recruitment since the 19th century, with hundred gravid females of A. baerii into Acipenser mikadoi is historically the IUCN analysis estimating a decline the Gironde River (Bordeaux region) native to the northwest in of 80 percent. during two storms. While the survival of Japan and , with an uncertain Analysis of the Petition these escaped fish and their effect on presence in China, , and the wild population of A. sturio are not North Korea. The species had been We have determined, based on the known, the introduction of new considered conspecific with North information provided in the petition pathological germs, food competition, American (A. and readily available in our files, that and hybridization with A. sturio needs medirostris) until chromosome and the petition presents substantial to be considered. The IUCN assessment morphometric differences were found; scientific or commercial information estimates the current adult population we accepted the status of A. mikadoi as indicating that the petitioned actions may be as low as 20 to 750 individuals. a separate valid species in our 2002 may be warranted for the five species The IUCN first assessed A. naccarii as status review of green sturgeon. under our jurisdiction. The petition ‘‘vulnerable’’ in 1996 and elevated its Maximum length is about 1.5 m and the contains a detailed narrative ranking to ‘‘critically endangered’’ in species reaches maturity between 8 to justification for the recommended 2009, reporting that exploitation for 10 years of age. It spawns in June measure, species taxonomic description, food, either legal or illegal, is a major through July in the Tumnin River and geographic distribution, preferred threat to the continued survival of the in April and May in the rivers of habitat characteristics, population status species, especially exploitation of pre- Hokkaido, Japan. It is found at sea and trends, threats contributing to the reproductive fish. The species is fished throughout the Sea of Okhotsk, in the species’ decline, and is accompanied by for its meat and the is not currently Sea of Japan as far east as the eastern appropriate supporting documentation. consumed as caviar. Dams, particularly shore of Hokkaido, along the Asian We agree that each of the five petitioned hydropower dams on the Po River, coast as far south as Wonsan, North species is a valid taxonomic species. We water pollution, and competition for Korea, and to the on the have no specific information in our files habitat with an introduced coast of the . that indicates the petition’s status (Silurus glanis) also contribute to this According to the IUCN, the species information is incorrect, unreliable, or species’ decline. According to the IUCN, historically ascended Russian coastal obsolete. Below is a synopsis of our ‘‘without continuous re-stocking the rivers (the Suchan, Adzemi, Koppi, analysis of the status information survival of this species is doubtful as

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continued successful reproduction in Information Solicited ACTION: Notice of SEDAR 28 Gulf of the wild can no longer be confirmed’’. To ensure that the status review is Mexico and South Atlantic Spanish Also, A. baerii was introduced in based on the best available scientific mackerel and cobia assessment webinar. captive breeding facilities and and commercial data, we are soliciting hybridized with A. naccarii in Italy in SUMMARY: The SEDAR 28 assessment of information on whether these five the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic the 1990s. Subsequently, A. baerii has sturgeon species are endangered or also been found in the wild occasionally Spanish mackerel and cobia fisheries threatened. Specifically, we are will consist of a series of workshops and in Italy, with fish sporadically escaping soliciting information in the following from rearing plants or angling ponds, or supplemental webinars. This notice is areas throughout the range of these for a webinar associated with the being released when they become too species: (1) Historical and current large for private aquaria. These events Assessment portion of the SEDAR distribution and abundance; (2) process. may also have contributed to A. historical and current population naccarii’s decline. trends; (3) biological information (life DATES: The SEDAR 28 Assessment Workshop Webinar #8 will be held on A. sinensis in the Yangtze River Region history, genetics, population connectivity, DPS structure, etc.); (4) September 12, 2012, 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The IUCN first assessed A. sinensis as landings and trade data; (5) EDT. The established time may be ‘‘endangered’’ in 1996 and elevated its management, regulatory, and adjusted as necessary to accommodate ranking to ‘‘critically endangered’’ in enforcement information; (6) any the timely completion of discussion 2010, owing to declines in the species current or planned activities that may relevant to the assessment process. Such from overharvest, , adversely impact the species; and (7) adjustments may result in the meeting and potentially from water pollution. ongoing or planned efforts to protect being extended from, or completed prior Construction of the Gezhouba dam in and restore the species and their to, the times established by this notice. 1981 blocked the migration routes of habitats. We request that all information ADDRESSES: The webinar will be held this species to all but one of its be accompanied by: (1) Supporting via a GoToMeeting Webinar Conference. spawning grounds in the Yangtze River. documentation such as maps, The webinar is open to members of the The species has been extirpated in most bibliographic references, or reprints of public. Those interested in participating of the rest of its range. pertinent publications; and (2) the should contact Ryan Rindone at SEDAR A. mikadoi and Huso dauricus in the submitter’s name, address, and any (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Amur River Basin/Sea of Japan/Sea of association, institution, or business that below) to request an invitation Okhotsk Region the person represents. providing webinar access information. Please request meeting information at The IUCN first assessed A. mikadoi as References Cited least 24 hours in advance. ‘‘endangered’’ in 1996 and elevated its A complete list of references is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ranking to ‘‘critically endangered’’ in available upon request from NMFS 2010, owing to overharvest, poaching, Ryan Rindone, SEDAR Coordinator, Protected Resources Headquarters Office 2203 N Lois Ave, Suite 1100, Tampa FL habitat degradation and pollution. Only (see ADDRESSES). one spawning site remains. 33607; telephone: (813) 348–1630; The IUCN first assessed H. dauricus Authority email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: as ‘‘rare’’ in 1986, elevated its ranking The authority for this action is the The Gulf to ‘‘endangered’’ in 1996, and elevated Endangered Species Act of 1973, as of Mexico Fishery Management Council, it again to ‘‘critically endangered’’ in amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries, 2010, owing to overharvest, poaching, has implemented the Southeast Data, and recent pollution. The species is Dated: August 21, 2012. Assessment and Review (SEDAR) poached for caviar roe. One study Alan D. Risenhoover, process, a multi-step method for documented parasite effects on Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, determining the status of fish stocks in fecundity (CITES, 2000). According to performing the functions and duties of the the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a three- Deputy Assistant Administrator for the IUCN assessment, at the end of the step process including: (1) Data Regulatory Programs, National Marine Workshop; (2) Assessment Process 19th century annual commercial catch Fisheries Service. involving a workshop and webinars; was 500 tonnes. The species was added [FR Doc. 2012–21061 Filed 8–24–12; 8:45 am] to CITES Appendix II in 1998. and (3) Review Workshop. The product BILLING CODE 3510–22–P of the Data Workshop is a data report Petition Finding which compiles and evaluates potential After reviewing the information DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE datasets and recommends which contained in the petition, as well as datasets are appropriate for assessment information readily available in our National Oceanic and Atmospheric analyses. The product of the Assessment files, we conclude the petition presents Administration Process is a stock assessment report substantial scientific information which describes the fisheries, evaluates indicating the petitioned actions of RIN 0648–XC194 the status of the stock, estimates listing five species of sturgeon, or DPSs Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and biological benchmarks, projects future of these species, under our jurisdiction South Atlantic; Southeast Data, population conditions, and recommends as threatened or endangered may be Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); research and monitoring needs. The warranted. Therefore, in accordance Assessment Process Webinar for Gulf assessment is independently peer with section 4(b)(3)(B) of the ESA and of Mexico and South Atlantic Spanish reviewed at the Review Workshop. The NMFS’ implementing regulations (50 Mackerel and Cobia product of the Review Workshop is a CFR 424.14(b)(2)), we will commence a summary documenting panel opinions review of the status of these species and AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries regarding the strengths and weaknesses make determinations within 12 months Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and of the stock assessment and input data. of receiving the petition as to whether Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Participants for SEDAR Workshops are the petitioned actions are warranted. Commerce. appointed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery

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