Designation of Critical Habitat for Five Species of Threatened Indo-Pacific Corals (Draft)
Jul. 15, 2025
NMFS designate critical habitat for five threatened Indo-Pacific coral species, Acropora globiceps, A. retusa, A. speciosa, Fimbriaphyllia paradivisa (formerly Euphyllia paradivisa), and Isopora crateriformis, pursuant to section 4 of the ESA. Final critical habitat includes 18 specific areas encompassing approximately 237 square kilometers (km2; 92 square miles, mi2) of marine habitat in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Pacific Remote Island Areas, and Hawai'i. We have considered economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the designations, but are not excluding any areas from the critical habitat designations due to anticipated impacts. This rule is effective 14 August 2025. POC is Lance Smith, NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, tele 808-725-5131, email Lance.Smith@noaa.gov. (Federal Register 15 July 2025 Pages 31800-31851)