Removal of the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin Canary Rockfish DPS From the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species; and Update and Amendment to the Listing Descriptions for the Yelloweye Rockfish and Bocaccio DPS

We, NOAA Fisheries, are issuing a final rule to remove the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin canary rockfish (Sebastes pinniger) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) from the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species and remove its critical habitat designation. We proposed these actions based on newly obtained samples and genetic analysis that demonstrates that the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin canary rockfish population does not meet the DPS criteria and therefore does not qualify for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Following public and peer review of the proposed rule and supporting scientific information, this final rule implements the changes to the listing and critical habitat for canary rockfish.