MEDIA RELEASE

On Nov. 30, 2012, NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office announced the proposed listing of 66 coral species under the U.S.Endangered Species Act (ESA), 59 of which occur in the waters of theUS Pacific Islands Region (Hawaii, Guam, CNMI, American Samoa, and Pacific Island Remote Areas).

The proposal was published Dec. 7 2012 in the Federal Register and a 90-day public comment period is open through March 7, 2013.

During the public comment period, there will be 11 town hall meetings and public hearings throughout the Pacific Islands Region.

Each town hall meeting and public hearing runs 5 p.m. to approximately 9:30 p.m., and include an open house where information on the proposal will be available, a presentation on the proposal, a question and answer session, and the formal public comments.

Coral Town Hall and Public Hearing Schedule:

Hilo, HI: Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

Kona, HI: Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, at the Kahakai Elementary School

Molokai, HI: Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, at the Mitchell Pauole Center, Kaunakakai

Maui, HI: Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, at the J. Walter Cameron Center, Wailuku

Kauai, HI: Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at the Kauai Veteran’s Center, Lihue

Oahu, HI: Feb. 7, 2013, at Tokai University, Honolulu

Guam: Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at the Guam Hilton, Tumon Bay

Saipan, CNMI: Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, at the Multipurpose Center

American Samoa: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at Sadie’s by the Sea

Tinian, CNMI: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at the Fleming Hotel

Rota, CNMI: Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at the Mayor’s Office

For further information contact one of the following staff from the NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office:

Lance Smith – Deputy Division Chief, Protected Resources Division, (808) 944-2258, Lance.Smith@noaa.gov

Chelsey Young – Coral Specialist, Protected Resources Division, (808) 944-2137, Chelsey.Young@noaa.gov

— Find out more:
www.fpir.noaa.gov/PRD/prd_coral.html