Endangered Species Act 4(d) Rule for Elkhorn and Staghorn Corals

We, NOAA Fisheries, publish this final rule to apply all the prohibitions enumerated in section 9(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (A. cervicornis) corals, with limited exceptions for two specified classes of activities that contribute to the conservation of the listed corals. We have determined that extending these prohibitions with two exceptions is necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the species.