The National Park Service announced its decision to request that the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia prepare a draft nomination for inclusion on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage List.
NMFS proposed to extend the current regionwide moratorium on the harvest of gold corals in the U.S. Pacific Islands through June 30, 2028, in order to prevent overfishing and stimulate research on the species.
FWS announced findings that delisting the southern sea otter is not warranted at this time, and that listing the Cascades frog, plains spotted skunk, sicklefin chub, sturgeon chub, Tennessee cave salamander, and Yazoo crayfish as endangered or threatened species under the ESA is not warranted at this time.
FWS proposed to list the Miami cave crayfish as a threatened species under the ESA, with a rule issued under §4(d) of the Act.
FWS proposed updated planning policies for the National Wildlife Refuge System to incorporate landscape conservation plans and consideration of climate change and other anthropogenic forces in refuge management.
FWS proposed to list the Quitobaquito tryonia as an endangered species under the ESA, and to designate approximately 6,095 square feet in Arizona as critical habitat for the species.
NOAA created a temporary special use area for coral restoration located approximately five miles southeast of Tavernier, on the island of Key Largo, within federal waters of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from September 6, 2023, to November 6, 2023.
Since 2017, 115 North Atlantic right whales (NARWs) have been documented dead, seriously injured, or sporting sublethal injuries and illnesses. Scientists refer to this phenomenon as an unusual mortality event, and assert that entanglement and vessel strikes are the leading causes. Fewer than 350 NARWs remain, and it is estimated that only one-third of their deaths are documented. Experts claim that only “quick and decisive action from humans” can ensure the species’ survival. Some proposed regulations will affect where and how the relevant fisheries are able to operate.
NMFS proposed to change the status of pillar coral from threatened to endangered under the ESA, based on population declines and susceptibility to a recently emerged coral disease.
FWS determined endangered status for the South Sierra and South Coast distinct population segments (DPSs) of the foothill yellow-legged frog and threatened status for the species’ North Feather and Central Coast DPSs under the ESA.