1. Corals: Proposed ESA Listing On December 7, 2012, we published a Proposed Rule to list 12 corals as Endangered 5 Caribbean: Montastraea annularis, M. faveolata, M. franksi, Dendrogyra cylindrus, and Mycetophyllia ferox 7 Indo-Pacific We are also Proposing to reclassify elkhorn ( Acropora palmata ) and staghorn ( A. cervicornis ) corals from Threatened to Endangered We are also Proposing to list 54 corals as Threatened 2 Caribbean: Agaricia lamarcki and Dichocoenia stokesi 52 Indo-Pacific We determined listing of 16 species in Indo-Pacific are Not Warranted Opened 90-day comment period: submit comments by March 7, 2013. 7 public hearings for Caribbean U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 1

2. Corals: Public Hearing Schedule Puerto Rico Monday February 4 6-8 p.m. DNER 4th Floor Conference Room Road 8838, km. 6.3, Sector El Cinco Río Piedras, Puerto Rico Florida Monday January 14 7-9 p.m. Nova Southeastern University Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystem Science 8000 North Ocean Drive Dania Beach, FL Tuesday February 5 6-8 p.m. UPR - Mayagüez Campus Salas Eugene Francis, Physics Building, Room # 229 Mayagüez, Puerto Rico Tuesday January 15 7-9 p.m. John Pennekamp State Park Visitors Ctr 102601 Overseas Highway Key Largo, FL U.S. Virgin Islands Wednesday February 6 7-9 p.m. Buck Island Reef National Monument 2100 Church Street, #100 Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI Wednesday January 16 7-9 p.m. Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center 35 East Quay Road Key West, FL Thursday February 7 7-9 p.m. Windward Passage Hotel Veterans Drive Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2

3. Queen Conch ( Strombus gigas ) Endangered Species Act Status Review In response to petition from WildEarth Guardians, we published a positive 90-day finding saying we will conduct a status review (August 27, 2012). We received public comments through October 26, 2012. Dr. Richard Appeldoorn (University of Puerto Rico) is conducting a biological assessment for the queen conch. This biological assessment will be used to inform the ESA status review. The Fisheries Management Councils and Scientific and Statistical Committees can participate by providing scientific and commercial information to Dr. Appeldoorn. The 12-month Determination is anticipated in Fall 2013: Possible Decisions: Propose for listing (T or E) or Not Warranted Any Proposed Listing would include a 60-day public comment period. Public hearings may also be held to solicit public comment. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3

4. Nassau Grouper ( Epinephelus striatus) Endangered Species Act Status Review In response to petition from WildEarth Guardians, we published a positive 90-day finding saying we will conduct a status review (October 10, 2012) We received public comments through December 10, 2012. Dr. Ron Hill (SEFSC) is conducting a biological assessment for Nassau grouper. This biological assessment will be used to inform the ESA status review. The Fisheries Management Councils and Scientific and Statistical Committees can participate by providing scientific and commercial information to Dr. Hill. The 12-month Determination is anticipated Fall 2013: Possible Decisions: Propose for listing (T or E) or Not Warranted Any Proposed Listing would include a 60-day public comment period. Public hearings may also be held to solicit public comment. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4

5. Yellowtail damselfish ( Microspathodon chrysurus ) Petition We received a petition from WildEarth Guardians to list 8 species of Damselfish. One species (Yellowtail damselfish) is present the Caribbean and the other 7 are in the Pacific. We are working on developing a 90-day finding in response to the petition Possible Decisions: negative or positive indicating if the petition and information in our files suggests a listing may be warranted. We CANNOT accept any comments on this petition at this time. We CANNOT accept any information on the status of the yellowtail damselfish in the Caribbean at this time. We CAN request and accept comments and information if we respond to the petition with a POSITIVE 90-day finding. A 90-day finding indicates we will initiate an ESA status review. We will publish a finding in the Federal Register and identify any information we seek. The 90-day finding is anticipated in March 2013. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 5

6. Scalloped hammerhead ( Sphyrna lewini ) Petition We received a petition from WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals to list the scalloped hammerhead either worldwide or as one or more distinct population segments on August 14, 2011. In response to the petition we published a positive 90-day finding saying we will conduct a status review (on November 28, 2011). Headquarters is working on developing the 12-month Determination. They anticipate a Notice in the Federal Register by February 2013. Possible Decisions: Identify one worldwide species or split into distinct population segments. Then propose for listing (T or E), or Not Warranted for species or each DPS. Any Proposed Listing would include a 60-day public comment period. Public hearings may also be held to solicit public comment. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 6