Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day finding on a petition to list the Oceanic Whitetip Shark as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act

Abstract

We, NMFS, announce the 90- day finding on a petition to list the oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) range-wide, or in the alternative, as one or more distinct population segments (DPSs) identified by the petitioners as endangered or threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted for the species worldwide. Accordingly, we will initiate a status review of oceanic whitetip shark rangewide at this time. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information regarding this species.