Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review of Northwest Atlantic Ocean and Seven Foreign Distinct Population Segments of Loggerhead Sea Turtle

A Notice by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 12/26/2019. Document Citation: 84 FR 70958 .

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce, and Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.

SUMMARY: NMFS and USFWS announce the initiation of a 5-year review for the following distinct population segments (DPS) of loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta): The Mediterranean Sea DPS, the Northeast Atlantic Ocean DPS, the North Indian Ocean DPS, the South Pacific Ocean DPS, the Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS, the South Atlantic Ocean DPS, the Southeast Indo-Pacific Ocean DPS, and the Southwest Indian Ocean DPS. NMFS and USFWS are required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such information on these loggerhead DPSs, particularly information on the status, threats, and recovery of the DPSs that has become available since their listing on September 22, 2011 (76 FR 58868).

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive your information no later than February 24, 2020.

You may submit information on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2019-0150, by either of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit electronic information via the Federale-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2019-0150. Click on the “Comment Now!” icon and complete the required fields. Enter or attach your comments.

• Mail: Submit written comments to Adrienne Lohe, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13626, Silver Spring, MD 20910.