Availability of Mediterranean Monk Seal 5-Year Review (2017)

A 5-year review is a periodic analysis of a species’ status conducted to ensure that the listing classification of a species as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) (50 CFR 17.11 – 17.12) is accurate. The 5-year review is required by section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA) and was prepared pursuant to the joint National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife 5­ year Review Guidance and template (USFWS and NMFS 2006). The NMFS Office of Protected Resources led the 5-year review with input from NMFS regional offices and science centers. We relied on peer-reviewed publications, government and technical reports, conference papers, dissertations, and theses. We gathered information through March 2017. This review relies heavily on two documents: a review paper by Karamanlidis et al. (2015) and on the 2015 IUCN assessment (Karamanlidis and Dendrinos 2015). The information on the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) biology and habitat, threats, and conservation efforts were summarized and analyzed in light of the ESA section 4(a)(1) factors (see Section 2.3.2.1) to determine whether a reclassification or delisting may be warranted (see Section 3.0). NMFS initiated a 5-year review of the Mediterranean monk seal and solicited information from the public on September 1, 2016 (81 FR 60347). NMFS received no public comments on this species.