DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT 4(D) REGULATIONS FOR THE THREATENED OCEANIC WHITETIP SHARK (CARCHARHINUS LONGIMANUS)

Under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) shall issue regulations deemed necessary and advisable for the conservation of species listed as threatened. The Secretary may also apply any of the prohibitions in Section 9(a)(1) of the ESA, including prohibiting import, export, take, and interstate commerce. This proposed ESA 4(d) rule would apply protective regulations to the threatened oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus). This is the accompanying EA to this Proposed Rule.