Three Foreign Corals 5-Year Review

In 2020, NOAA Fisheries announced the initiation of a 5-year review for three foreign corals (Cantharellus noumeae, Siderastrea glynni, and Tubastraea floreana). NOAA Fisheries is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We requested submission of any such information on these three coral species, particularly information on the status, threats, and recovery of the species that has become available since their listing, effective November 6, 2015 (80 FR 60560).

We have now completed the 5-year review and conclude that no change to the listing status of C. noumeae or T. floreana is warranted at this time. We recommend delisting S. glynni because we find that it does not meet the statutory definition of a species under the Endangered Species Act.