SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose of This Rule

The purpose of our direct final rule is to notify the public that we are revising the Enumeration of threatened marine and anadromous species (50 CFR 223.102(e)) to reflect the scientifically accepted taxonomy and nomenclature of one fish species, the giant manta ray, listed under section 4 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The change reflects the most recently accepted scientific name in accordance with 50 CFR 223.102(b).

We are publishing this rule as a direct final rule because this is a noncontroversial action that reflects decisions already taken in the scientific community, such that prior notice and an opportunity to comment is unnecessary. This rule does not change the listing status of the species under the ESA and does not alter any protections afforded the species or any other legal requirements arising from the species' listing under the ESA. This change should be undertaken in as timely a manner as possible. This rule will be effective, as published in this document on the effective date specified in DATES , unless we receive significant adverse comments on or before the comment due date specified in DATES . Significant adverse comments are comments that provide strong scientific justification as to why the taxonomic and nomenclature changes to the Enumeration of the listed entity should not be adopted or why the rule should be changed. Please include sufficient scientific information with your comments that will allow us to verify the basis for any significant adverse comments.

If we receive significant adverse comments, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register withdrawing this rule before the effective date, and we will engage in notice and comment rulemaking under the applicable requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act to promulgate these changes to 50 CFR 223.102(e).

Background

Under 50 CFR 223.102(b), we use the most recently accepted scientific name of any species that we have determined to be threatened under the ESA. The ESA likewise requires that listing decisions be based solely on the best scientific and commercial data available (see 16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(1)(A)). Using the best available scientific information, our direct final rule documents a taxonomic change (scientific name) to the giant manta ray. This change is supported by a study published in a peer-reviewed journal as well as acceptance by scientists and a number of national and international renowned organizations. We revise the scientific name of the giant manta ray listed under section 4 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) as follows: Mobula birostris. We make this change to the Enumeration of threatened marine and anadromous species (50 CFR 223.102(e)) to reflect the most recently accepted scientific name in accordance with 50 CFR 223.102(b).

Taxonomy Classification

Mobula Birostris

The scientific name change to Mobula birostris (giant manta ray) from Manta birostris is supported by genetic and morphological evidence (White et al. 2018). White et al. (2018) used molecular data from giant manta ray muscle tissues in Indonesia and the Philippines to describe the relationship of this species to ten other mobulid rays. Results from the phylogenetic analysis identified giant manta rays, as well as reef manta rays (previously Manta alfredi), to be nested within the genus Mobula, forming a sister relationship with Mobula mobular (White et al. 2018). Prior to this comprehensive genetic analysis, both manta rays were considered to be under a separate genus, Manta, as they both had a distinct morphological character—a terminal mouth. The other mobulid rays, under the genus Mobula, all had subterminal ( printed page 81352) mouths. However, the mitochondrial genome and nuclear exon data show the inclusion of Manta under the genus Mobula, suggesting the terminal mouth is a derived character within Mobula (White et al. 2018). Additionally, White et al. (2018) point out that another morphological character, the spiracle position relative to the plane of the disc, is dorsal for the manta rays but also for the sister species, Mobula mobular, whereas the remaining smaller Mobula species have it located ventrally. As such, this morphological distinction also supports the finding of the genetic analysis that M. birostris forms a clade with M. mobular. Based on this study, many scientists have accepted the taxonomic change for giant manta rays and used the updated taxonomy in recent research publications ( e.g., Cabral et al. 2023; Carpenter et al. 2023; Garzon et al. 2023; Rambahiniarison et al. 2023). Additionally, many national and international organizations have adopted the taxonomy, including the American Fisheries Society, Eshmeyer's Catalog of Fishes, FishBase, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

NMFS, therefore, recognizes the taxonomic change and is making technical revisions to 50 CFR 223.102(e) to reflect the most recently accepted scientific name based on the best available scientific information about the listed species. Once the changes to 50 CFR 224.102(3) take effect, the taxonomic change will be incorporated into all new NMFS publications pertaining to the species. This species will continue to be listed as threatened and is subject to the same protections as existed prior to these changes. No other aspect of the entry for this species in 50 CFR 223.102(e) will change as a result of this rule.

Required Determinations

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries finds that good cause exists to waive the requirement for prior notice and opportunity for public comment, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Such procedures would be unnecessary as the taxonomic change made in this rule is technical and reflects decisions already taken in the scientific community. This rule does not change the listing status of the giant manta ray under the ESA, and therefore does not alter the legal protections afforded to the species or any other requirements arising from its listing under the ESA or add any new requirements.

This action is not subject to review under Executive Order (E.O.) 12866. Because a general notice of proposed rulemaking is not required, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., are inapplicable.

This final rule does not contain policies with federalism implications under E.O. 13132. Policies that have federalism implications refers to regulations, legislative comments or proposed legislation, and other policy statements or actions that have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. This final rule does not have federalism implications; therefore, the agency did not follow the additional consultation procedures outlined in E.O. 13132.

This rule does not contain any collections of information that require approval by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This rule will not impose recordkeeping or reporting requirements on State or local governments, individuals, businesses, or organizations.

E.O. 12898 requires that Federal actions address environmental justice in the decision-making process. In particular, the environmental effects of the actions should not have a disproportionate effect on minority and low-income communities. This rule is not expected to have a disproportionate effect on minority populations or low-income populations.

This final rule makes a taxonomic change relative to a previous listing determination under the ESA to reflect the most recently accepted scientific name based on the best available scientific information about the species' taxonomy and nomenclature. NMFS has concluded that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) does not apply to ESA listing actions, and we conclude that NEPA does not apply to this correction to the identification of the listed species to reflect the best available scientific information (see NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A and the Companion Manual for NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A, regarding Policy and Procedures for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related Authorities).

References Cited

A complete list of references is available on our website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/​action/​final-rule-list-giant-manta-ray-threatened-under-endangered-species-act.

For the reasons set out in the preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part 223 as follows: