[Federal Register: June 29, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 124)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 38863-38873]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AT54
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Special Rule To
Control the Trade of Threatened Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are
proposing to establish a special rule under Section 4(d) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), to exempt the
international, foreign, and interstate commerce in certain beluga
sturgeon (Huso huso) products from threatened species permits normally
required under 50 CFR 17.32. Beluga sturgeon occur in the Caspian and
Black Seas, and are found in the territorial waters of 11 countries
(i.e., the range countries). Over-harvest, severe habitat degradation,
and other factors have led to the listing of beluga sturgeon as
threatened throughout its range under the Act and in Appendix II of the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES). In our final listing rule, we delayed the effective
date of the threatened listing for 6 months in order to promulgate a
4(d) rule. After the listing becomes effective, the Act will prohibit
all trade (foreign, international, and interstate) in beluga sturgeon
and beluga sturgeon products, except as provided in the special rule or
with permits under the provision of Section 10 of the Act. This
proposed special rule initially allows range countries 6 months from
the rule's effective date to submit a suite of reports and management
measures to us for review. During this initial waiting period, imports,
re-exports, and interstate and foreign commerce of certain beluga
sturgeon products will continue without a requirement for threatened
species permits. This is intended to provide the range countries time
to submit the required documents. CITES documentation will still be
required.
Under this proposed rule, beluga caviar and beluga sturgeon meat
originating from wild-caught fish or range country hatcheries may be
transferred into and out of the United States without threatened
species permits. We will also exempt interstate and foreign commerce in
these products from permit requirements, if that trade occurs in the
United States or involves U.S. citizens. However, after an initial 6
months of information gathering in the range states, these exemptions
will occur only after the range countries have fulfilled certain
requirements as described below. In addition, all relevant provisions
of CITES will continue to govern the international trade in all beluga
sturgeon products. We are proposing to allow this conditional trade to
promote effective conservation of Huso huso in the range countries,
through demonstrable law enforcement and cooperative management
activities.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 29, 2004. Public hearing
requests must be received by July 14, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit any comments, information, and questions by mail
to the Chief, Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 750, Arlington, Virginia 22203, or
by fax, 703-358-2276, or by e-mail, Scientificauthority@fws.gov.
Comments and supporting information will be available for public
inspection, by appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Field at the above address,
or by phone, 703-358-1708; fax, 703-358-2276; or e-mail,
Scientificauthority@fws.gov .
For detailed SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Go to the
Federal Register Online
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