Critical Habitat for Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), NMFS is designating critical habitat for the threatened green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) to include coastal waters surrounding Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, and the endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) to include coastal waters surrounding Mona and Monito Islands, Puerto Rico. This designation of critical habitat provides explicit notice to Federal agencies and to the public that these areas and features are vital to the conservation of the species.