[Coral-List] Final 4(d) Rule for Elkhorn & Staghorn Corals Files

Sarah Heberling Sarah.Heberling at noaa.gov
Tue Oct 28 13:14:32 EDT 2008


Greetings, and apologies for cross/multiple postings of the following 
announcement.

Today NOAA Fisheries Service filed a final rule with the /Federal 
Register/ to protect elkhorn and staghorn corals, which were listed as 
threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on May 9, 2006.  The 
final rule will publish in the /Federal Register/ tomorrow, October 29, 
2008.  This final rule, called a 4(d) rule (after section 4(d) of the 
ESA), prohibits import, export, take, and all commercial activities 
involving either of these threatened species.  This rule was originally 
proposed on December 14, 2007, and included a 90-day public comment 
period, which closed on March 13, 2008.

The prohibitions of the 4(d) rule become effective on Friday, November 
21, 2008. 

Additional information, including the final rule (as filed), FAQs, and a 
guide for scientific researchers seeking permits, is available on our 
website at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/esa/acropora.htm.  If you would 
like a copy of any of these documents emailed, mailed, or faxed to you, 
please contact me with your request (see contact information below).  
Additionally, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,
Sarah E. Heberling
Natural Resource Specialist
***
Protected Resources Division
NOAA Fisheries Service
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
***
Phone: (727) 824-5312
Fax: (727) 824-5309
Email: Sarah.Heberling at noaa.gov
Web: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/esa/acropora.htm




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