[Coral-List] NOAA Invites Comment on Coral Status Review Report and Draft Management Report

[Jon Corsiglia]

*NOAA Invites Comment on Coral Status Review Report and Draft Management
Report*
As part of our ongoing process to evaluate 82 species of coral from the
Caribbean and Pacific for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA),
NOAA is inviting public review of two reports, a scientific Status Review
Report<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/exec_sum_and_intro_corals_status%20review%20report.pdf>
and
a draft Management
Report<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/exec%20summ_corals_draft%20management%20report.pdf>.
Our review of these 82 species of corals has been the most complex ESA
listing process NOAA Fisheries has ever undertaken. NOAA will use the
additional input to ensure that the best scientific information available
will be considered as we develop our 12-month finding. Please note that
releasing these documents is not a part of the normal rulemaking process –
it is an engagement process that allows us to be transparent and open in
our decision making. Should NOAA Fisheries determine that a listing is
warranted, we will publish a proposed rule in December 2012 for additional
public comment.

*Important Dates*
The public review process began on April 13, 2012, and ends on July 31,
2012.  Instructions on how to submit comments and/or information is listed
below.

*What Additional Information is NOAA Interested In?*
We are particularly interested in receiving information on the following:

   - Relevant scientific information collected or produced since the
   completion of the Status Review Report in 2011, or any relevant scientific
   information not included in the Report.
   - Relevant management information not included in the draft Management
   Report.

*Engagement Opportunities*
As part of this review, NOAA also plans to host two regional public
listening sessions and two scientific workshops focused on corals this
summer. The specific dates, times, and location for the regional listening
sessions and scientific workshops will be announced in May.

*Corals Reports*
Status Review Report – this report examines the biology of, threats to, and
extinction risk of 82 coral species.

   - Executive Summary<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/exec_sum_and_intro_corals_status%20review%20report.pdf>
of
   Status Review Report of 82 Candidate Coral Species (pdf)
   - Full Document<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/full%20doc_corals_status%20review%20report.pdf>
-
   Status Review Report of 82 Candidate Coral Species (pdf) Note: This file is
   35MB.

Draft Management Report – this report describes existing regulatory
mechanisms and ongoing conservation efforts to manage and conserve the 82
coral species throughout the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific.

   - Executive Summary<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/exec%20summ_corals_draft%20management%20report.pdf>
of
   Draft Management Review document (pdf)
   - Full Document<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/full%20doc_corals_draft%20management%20report.pdf>
-
   Draft Management Review document (pdf) Note: This file is 2.3 MB.

*Other Materials*

   - Federal Register
Notice<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/corals%20fed_reg_%20041212.pdf>
    (pdf)
   - Center for Independent Experts reports
      - Report #1—Hughes<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/review_of_noaa_status_review_report_hughes.pdf>
      - Report #2—McManus<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/review_of_noaa_status_review_report_mcmanus.pdf>
      - Report #3—Riegl<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/review_of_noaa_status_review_report_riegl.pdf>
      - Review team
response<http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/04/docs/brt_responses_to_cie_comments.pdf>


*How to Submit Comments*

You may submit comments on the Status Review Report and the draft
Management Report and/or additional papers, reports, and information by any
of the following methods. If possible, comments should be grouped according
to the heading of the relevant section of the reports.

   - Electronic Submission— submit all electronic information via
   electronic mail to: NMFS.82Corals at noaa.gov
   - Mail—submit written comments to:

Regulatory Branch Chief
Protected Resources Division
Attn: 82 coal species
National Marine Fisheries Service
Pacific Islands Regional Office
1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110
Honolulu, HI  96814
- or -
Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources
Attn: 82 coral species
National Marine Fisheries Service
Southeast Regional Office
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL  33701


   - Fax—808-973-2941; Attn: Protected Resources Regulatory Branch Chief,
   or 727-824-5309; Attn: Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected
   Resources