Proposed Rule to Designate Critical Habitat for the Threatened Nassau Grouper

We, NMFS, propose to designate critical habitat for the threatened Nassau grouper pursuant to section 4 of the Endangered Species Act. Specific occupied areas proposed for designation as critical habitat contain approximately 2,353.19 sq. kilometers (908.57 sq. miles) of aquatic habitat located in waters off the coasts of southeastern Florida, Puerto Rico, Navassa, and the United States Virgin Islands. We have considered positive and negative economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of the proposed critical habitat.

We are soliciting comments from the public on all aspects of the proposal, including our identification and consideration of impacts of the proposed action.