SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

We are initiating the 5-year reviews of six foreign elasmobranch species, including three endangered species (Argentine angelshark, spiny angelshark, and striped smoothhound shark) and three threatened species (narrownose smoothhound shark, common guitarfish, and blackchin guitarfish). Section 4(c)(2) of the ESA requires us to conduct a review of listed species at least once ( printed page 16110) every 5 years to determine whether species should be removed from the list, changed in status from an endangered species to a threatened species, or changed in status from a threatened species to an endangered species (16 U.S.C. 1533(c)(2)). Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA requires us to determine whether any species is an endangered or threatened species because of any of the following factors: (A) the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or (E) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1)). Section 4(b)(1)(A) of the ESA requires us to make the determination based solely on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review and after taking into account efforts to protect the species (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(1)(A)). Regulations (50 CFR 424.21) require us to publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing species under active review.

In 2015, we published status reviews of the Argentine angelshark, spiny angelshark, striped smoothhound shark, and narrownose smoothhound shark. In 2017, we published a status review of the common and blackchin guitarfishes. These status reviews and additional information on the species are available on NMFS' website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/​national/​endangered-species-conservation/​foreign-species. After reviewing information available since the publication of these status reviews, we will make our determinations regarding the classification of these species and publish them on NMFS' website. Any recommended changes ( i.e., delistings and/or reclassifications) would require a separate rulemaking process.

Public Solicitation of Relevant Information

To ensure that the 5-year reviews are based on the best scientific and commercial data available, we are soliciting information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental organizations, and other interested parties. We request information that has become available since the previous reviews were published in 2015 (Argentine and spiny angelsharks and striped and narrownose smoothhound sharks) and 2017 (common and blackchin guitarfishes). Categories of requested information include: (1) species biology including, but not limited to, abundance, population trends, demographics, distribution, and diversity; (2) habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, distribution, suitability, and important features for conservation; (3) degree, nature, and trends of threats to the species and its habitats, especially those factors described in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA; (4) conservation efforts that have been implemented to benefit the species, including monitoring data demonstrating the effectiveness of such efforts; and (5) other information, data, or corrections including taxonomic or nomenclatural changes and improved analytical methods for evaluating extinction risk.

We request that all information be accompanied by supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or reprints of pertinent publications. Please submit all information and supporting documentation electronically (see ADDRESSES section).

Authority:16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.