NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Tuesday, Jan. 26 on its proposal to designate ~5,900 square miles of critical habitat for the following threatened Caribbean corals: Orbicella annularis, O. faveolata, O. franksi, Dendrogyra cylindrus, and Mycetophyllia ferox. The proposed critical habitat includes areas extending from off Southeast Florida to the Dry Tortugas, the Flower Garden Banks, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Navassa Island.
Comments are sought on all aspects of the proposal, including NMFS’ identification of the geographical area and depths occupied by the species, the physical and biological features essential to the coral species’ conservation and identification, areas not included and excluded, and consideration of impacts of the proposed action.
