Final Rule To List the Island Grouper (Mycteroperca fusca) as Threatened and the Gulf Grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) as Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act

We, NOAA Fisheries, issue a final rule to list two foreign grouper species under the Endangered Species Act. We considered comments submitted on the proposed listing rule and have determined that the gulf grouper (Mycteroperca jordani) and the island grouper (Mycteroperca fusca) warrant listing as endangered and threatened species, respectively. We will not designate critical habitat for either of these species because the geographical areas occupied by these species are entirely outside U.S. jurisdiction, and we have not identified any unoccupied areas within U.S. jurisdiction that are currently essential to the conservation of either of these species.