NOAA Fisheries seeking comments

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on their proposal to designate critical habitat for corals listed under the Endangered Species Act in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), American Samoa, the Pacific Remote Island Area (PRIA), and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hawai’i.

The proposal includes specific areas with suitable substrate and suitable water quality in nearshore waters around islands in the five jurisdictions.

In American Samoa. NOAA Fisheries is hosting two in-person informational meetings and public hearings on January 18, for Manu’a at the Tradewinds Hotel and January 23, for Tutuila at the Lee Auditorium.

Doors open at 5:30 pm. From 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the informational meeting will include presentations and time for questions and answers. You can provide oral comments on the proposed rule at the public hearing, which will be held from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

You may also provide comments online at https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/NOAA NMFS-2016-0131-0070.

For more information, you may contact Lance Smith, Ph.D, at [email protected].