August 2, 2007

US Fish & Wildlife Service Publishes Final Rule on Silver Carp

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule July 10 to add all forms of live silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids; and all forms of live largescale silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys harmandi), gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids to the list of injurious fish, mollusks, and crustaceans under the Lacey Act. The best available information indicates that this action is necessary to protect the interests of human beings, and wildlife and wildlife resources, from the purposeful or accidental introduction, and subsequent establishment, of silver carp and largescale silver carp populations in ecosystems of the United States. Live silver carp and largescale silver carp, gametes, viable eggs, and hybrids can be imported only by permit for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes, or without a permit by Federal agencies solely for their own use; permits will also be required for the interstate transportation of live silver or largescale silver carp, gametes, viable eggs, or hybrids currently within the United States. Interstate transportation permits may be issued for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes.

To view the Federal Register Notice go to:

http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=07765914877+0+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve