Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Decision on Designation of Critical Habitat for the Gulf Sturgeon

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), collectively the Services, announce a decision on designation of critical habitat for the Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi), a federally listed threatened species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Based on lack of benefit to the species, the Services have determined that critical habitat designation is not prudent. This constitutes the Services' not prudent finding for the designation of critical habitat for the Gulf sturgeon.