[Coral-List] Comments Needed on Federal ESA Listing of Three Coral Species

[Brent Plater]

Hello everyone,

In response to a petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, the
National Marine Fisheries Service announced On June 23, 2004 that it will be
reviewing the status of Acropora palmata (elkhorn coral), A. cervicornis
(staghorn coral), and A. prolifera (fused-staghorn coral) for possible
federal Endangered Species Act protection.  As a part of this review, the
agency has requested comments from scientists and the public regarding the
proposal to protect these three species.  Comments are due on August 23,
2004.

Among the issues that will be considered by the agency is whether these
species are threatened or endangered in all or a "significant portion" of
the species' ranges.  If, for example, the agency finds that the species
face threats in "significant portions" of the species' ranges, each species
will be listed and protected under federal law.

These three species have been lost and/or declined in major portions of
their ranges in recent decades.  In the areas where the species' remain,
they are threatened by disease, sedimentation, pollution, and the affects of
global climate change.  For those of you that have first-hand experiences
documenting these declines and/or the threats facing the species, comments
describing your work are needed to insure that the National Marine Fisheries
Service's decision is grounded in the best scientific information available.

If you are interested in submitting comments, please feel free to contact me
at any time via e-mail or phone, and I will send you a copy of the Service's
June 23, 2004 finding on our petition.  A copy of the petition to list these
species is available at the following URL:

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/species/coral/petition.pdf (large
file)

Thank you,

bp


***PLEASE NOTE NEW CONTACT INFORMATION***
Brent Plater
Staff Attorney
Center for Biological Diversity
San Francisco Bay Area Office
1095 Market St., Suite 511
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-436-9682
Fax: 415-436-9683
bplater at biologicaldiversity.org
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org 

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