66652 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 234 / Thursday, December 5, 2019 / Notices closing period for their receipt is Background This finding describes information on January 14, 2020. On January 22, 2018, we published a the biology, distribution, and habitat use A copy of the notification will be final rule to list the giant manta ray of the giant manta ray and the methods available for public inspection in the (Manta birostris) as a threatened species used to identify areas that may meet the ‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the Board’s under the Endangered Species Act definition of critical habitat. In this website, which is accessible via (ESA) (83 FR 2916). Section 4(b)(6)(C) of determination, we focus on information www.trade.gov/ftz. the ESA requires the Secretary of directly relevant to the designation of For further information, contact Commerce (Secretary) to designate critical habitat for giant manta rays. Juanita Chen at [email protected] critical habitat concurrently with Giant Manta Ray Biology and Status making a determination to list a species or 202–482–1378. The following discussion of the life as threatened or endangered unless it is Dated: December 2, 2019. history and status of giant manta ray is not determinable at that time, in which based on the best scientific data Elizabeth Whiteman, case the Secretary may extend the available, including the ‘‘Endangered Acting Executive Secretary. deadline for this designation by 1 year. Species Act Status Review Report: Giant [FR Doc. 2019–26272 Filed 12–4–19; 8:45 am] At the time of listing, we concluded that Manta Ray (Manta birostris) and Reef BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P critical habitat was not determinable Manta Ray (Manta alfredi)’’ (Miller and because sufficient information was not Klimovich 2017). available to: (1) Identify the physical DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Manta rays are large bodied, and biological features essential to the planktivorous rays, considered part of conservation of the species at an National Oceanic and Atmospheric the Mobulidae subfamily. Manta species appropriate level of specificity, Administration are distinguished from other Mobula particularly given the uncertainty rays in that they tend to be larger, with regarding habitats required to support a terminal mouth, and have long [Docket No. 191127–0095; RTID 0648– its life history (e.g., pupping and XR030] cephalic fins (Evgeny 2010); however, nursery grounds were unknown) and misidentifications are common both Endangered and Threatened Species; migratory movements, (2) determine the between Manta species (i.e., between M. Determination on the Designation of specific geographical areas that contain alfredi and M. birostris) as well as Critical Habitat for Giant Manta Ray the physical and biological features between Manta and Mobula rays. In essential to conservation of the species, addition, recent taxonomic studies have AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries particularly given the global range of the suggested that Manta birostris and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and species, and (3) assess the impacts of the Manta alfredi may actually be closely Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), designation. We requested relevant related to the giant devil ray (Mobula Commerce. information from interested persons to mobular) (White et al. 2017), with help us identify and describe the genetic analyses that demonstrate ACTION: Notice of critical habitat physical and biological features determination. support for nesting these species under essential to the conservation of the giant the genus Mobula rather than Manta manta ray, and assess the economic SUMMARY: We, NMFS, have determined (White et al. 2017; Hosegood et al. consequences of designating critical that a designation of critical habitat is 2019). The studies still recognize both habitat for the species. We solicited not prudent at this time. Based on a manta rays as distinct species, but refer input from the public, other concerned comprehensive review of the best to them as Mobula birostris and Mobula government agencies, the scientific scientific data available, we find that alfredi. community, industry and any other there are no identifiable physical or The giant manta ray, M. birostris, can interested party on features and areas biological features that are essential to be found in all ocean basins, while the that may meet the definition of critical reef manta ray, M. alfredi, is currently the conservation of the giant manta ray habitat for the giant manta ray within only observed in the Indian Ocean and within areas under U.S. jurisdiction. We U.S. waters. We received information the western and south Pacific. also find that there are no areas outside regarding giant manta ray occurrence in Additionally, we note that a third, of the geographical area occupied by the the Flower Garden Banks National putative manta ray species has been species under U.S. jurisdiction that are Marine Sanctuary (Stewart et al. 2018b) identified (referred to here as M. cf. essential to its conservation. As such, as well as off the coast of Florida. We birostris), with its range extending along we find that there are no areas within reviewed this information and the Atlantic coast, Gulf of Mexico, and the jurisdiction of the United States that considered it along with other available Caribbean, based on research conducted meet the definition of critical habitat for information we compiled. Together, this in the western Atlantic (A. Marshall, the giant manta ray. information comprises the best available MMF, pers. comm. to M. Miller, NMFS DATES: This finding is made on scientific data for use in the OPR, 2019). A manuscript identifying December 5, 2019. identification of critical habitat for the this third species is expected in the near ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the giant manta ray. However, as discussed future; however, according to Dr. determination, list of references, and below, based on these data we find that Andrea Marshall, this newly identified supporting documents prepared for this there are no identifiable physical or manta species is highly abundant off the action are available from the NMFS biological features that are essential to U.S. east coast, with a large population Office of Protected Resources website at the conservation of the giant manta ray also found off the Yucata´n peninsula (A. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/ within areas under U.S. jurisdiction, or Marshall, MMF, pers. comm. to M. giant-manta-ray. unoccupied areas under U.S. Miller, NMFS OPR, 2019). This new jurisdiction that are essential to the species looks very similar to M. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: conservation of the species. Therefore, birostris, with only a few diagnostic Maggie Miller, NMFS, Office of at this time we find no areas within U.S. features that could potentially Protected Resources, (301) 427–8403. jurisdiction that meet the definition of distinguish the two (mainly small SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: critical habitat for the giant manta ray. morphological and meristic ones; A. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:38 Dec 04, 2019 Jkt 250001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05DEN1.SGM 05DEN1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 234 / Thursday, December 5, 2019 / Notices 66653 Marshall, MMF, pers. comm. to M. less than 3,800 mm DW possessed either and juvenile giant mantas may use Miller, NMFS OPR, 2019). Without non-calcified or partially calcified similar offshore pelagic habitats, but genetic testing, species identification claspers. In the same study, White et al. that the juveniles may avoid cleaning cannot be completely validated (2006) found that females 2,732 to 3,774 stations and other near-shore areas (Hinojosa-Alvarez et al. 2016; Kashiwagi mm DW were immature and females where adults are more commonly et al. 2017; Hosegood et al. 2019). measuring 4,126 mm DW and greater observed to reduce predation risk. In Therefore, for purposes of this critical were mature. White and Last (2016) fact, results from stable isotope analyses habitat determination, we will consider report similar ranges, with males of muscle tissues collected from both any records of manta rays in the maturing between approximately 3,750 adult and juvenile M. birostris off Peru, Atlantic to be M. birostris (even though and 4,000 mm DW and females Sri Lanka, and the Philippines appear to an unknown proportion may comprise maturing between approximately 4,100 provide further confirmation that the M. cf. birostris) and will continue to and 4,700 mm DW. In the Flower species may not undergo an ontogenetic recognize Manta birostris as a species Gardens Banks National Marine shift in feeding behavior or trophic under the genus Manta. Sanctuary (FGBNMS), Stewart et al. level, with both adults and juveniles The genus Manta has a complex (2018b) observed a mature male M. sharing the same habitats and targeting taxonomic history due partially to the birostris with an estimated size of 3,600 the same prey (Stewart et al. 2017). difficulty of preserving such large mm. The age that M. birostris matures is In terms of prey, giant manta rays specimens and also the conflicting not known, but it may be similar to that primarily feed on planktonic organisms historical reports of taxonomic of reef mantas, with males maturing at such as euphausiids, copepods, mysids, characteristics (Couturier et al. 2012; 3–6 years and females at 8–10 years decapod larvae, and shrimp, with some Kitchen-Wheeler 2013). Prior to 2009, (Stewart et al. 2018a). studies noting their consumption of most manta rays were categorized as Gestation time is also not known for small and moderate sized fishes as well Manta birostris, but Marshall et al. this species, and parturition has only (Bigelow and Schroeder 1953; Carpenter (2009) presented new data that been witnessed once and under and Niem 2001; Graham et al. 2012; supported the splitting of the Manta unnatural conditions (Coles 1916).