Draft Policy for Conserving Species Listed or Proposed for Listing Under the Endangered Species Act While Providing and Enhancing Recreational Fisheries Opportunities; Request for Public Comment

Résumé

The Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (Services) propose to issue a policy that will address the conservation needs of species listed, or proposed to be listed, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA) while providing for the continuation and enhancement of recreational fisheries. This proposed policy identifies measures the Services will take to ensure consistency in the administration of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended between and within the two agencies, promote collaboration with other Federal, State, and Tribal fisheries managers, and improve and increase efforts to inform nonfederal entities of the requirements of the ESA while enhancing recreational fisheries. This policy meets the requirements set forth in Section 4 of Executive Order 12962, Recreational Fisheries.