17.44—Special rules—fishes.

(a) Lahontan cutthroat trout, Paiute cutthroat trout, and Arizona trout (Salmo clarki henshawi, Salmo clarki seleniris, and Salmo apache ). (1) All the provisions of § 17.31 apply to these species, except that they may be taken in accordance with applicable State law.

(2) Violation of State law will also be a violation of the Act.

(b) Bayou darter (Etheostoma rubrum ). (1) All the provisions of § 17.31 apply to this species, except that they may be taken in accordance with applicable State law.

(2) Any violation of State law will also be a violation of the Act.

(c) Slender chub (Hybopsis cahni ), spotfin chub (Erimonax monachus ), slackwater darter (Etheostoma boschungi ), and yellowfin madtom (Noturus flavipinnis ). (1) All the provisions of § 17.31 apply to these species, except that they may be taken in accordance with applicable State law.

(2) Any violation of State law will also be a violation of the Act.

(d) Leopard darter (Percina pantherina ). (1) All provisions of § 17.31 apply to this species, except that it may be taken in accordance with applicable State law.

(2) Any violation of State law will also be a violation of the Act.

(e) Little Kern golden trout (Salmo aguabonita whitei ). (1) All provisions of § 17.31 apply to this species, except that it may be taken in accordance with applicable State law.

(2) Any violation of State law will also be a violation of the Act.

(f) Greenback cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki stomias ). (1) All provisions of § 17.31 apply to this species, except that it may be taken in accordance with applicable State law.

(2) Any violation of State law will also be a violation of the Act.

(g) Chihuahua chub (Gila nigrescens). (1) All provisions of § 17.31 apply to this species, except that it may be taken in accordance with applicable State law.

(2) Any violation of State law will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(h) Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) and beautiful shiner (Notropis formosus ). (1) All provisions of § 17.31 apply to these species, except that they may be taken for educational, scientific, or conservation purposes in accordance with applicable Arizona State laws and regulations.

(2) Any violation of State law will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(i) Big Spring spinedace (Lepidomeda mollispinis pratensis ). (1) All the provisions of § 17.31 apply to this species, except that it may be taken in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances: educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to this species will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(j) Hutton tui chub (Gila bicolor subspecies) and Foskett speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus subspecies). (1) No person shall take these species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances: for educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of these species will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(3) No person shall possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, ship, import, or export, by any means whatsoever, any such species taken in violation of these regulations or in violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (j) (1) through (3) of this section.

(k) Niangua darter, Etheostoma nianguae. (1) No person shall take the species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances: educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of this species will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (k) (1) through (3) of this section.

(l) Warner sucker (Catostomus warnerensis ). (1) No person shall take the species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances:

(i) For educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act;

(ii) Incidental to State-permitted recreational fishing activities, provided that the individual fish taken is immediately returned to its habitat.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of this species will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (l) (1) through (3) of this section.

(m) Desert dace (Eremichthys acros ). (1) No person shall take the species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances: For educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of this species will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(3) No person shall possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, ship, import, or export, by any means whatsoever, any such species taken in violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (m) (1) through (3) of this section.

(n) Railroad Valley springfish (Crenichthys nevadae ). (1) No person shall take the species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances: for educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of this species will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (n) (1) through (3) of this section.

(o) Sonora chub (Gila ditaenia ). (1) No person shall take the species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances:

(i) For educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act; or,

(ii) Incidental to State-permitted recreational fishing activities, provided that the individual fish taken is immediately returned to its habitat.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of this species will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (o) (1) through (3) of this section.

(p) Spikedace (Meda fulgida ). (1) No person shall take the species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances:

(i) For educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act; or,

(ii) Incidental to State permitted recreational fishing activities, provided that the individual fish taken is immediately returned to its habitat.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to taking of this species is also a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(3) No person shall possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, ship, import, or export, by any means whatsoever any such species taken in violation of these regulations or in violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (p) (1) through (3) of this section.

(q) Loach minnow (Rhinicthys (=Tiaroga) cobitis ). (1) No person shall take the species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances: (i) For educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act or, (ii) incidental to State permitted recreational fishing activities, provided that the individual fish taken is immediately returned to its habitat.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of this species is also a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (q) (1) through (3) of this paragraph.

(r) Pecos bluntnose shiner (Notropis simus pecosensis ). (1) No person shall take the species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances:

(i) For educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act; or,

(ii) Incidental to State permitted recreational fishing activities, provided that the individual fish taken is immediately returned to its habitat.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to taking of this species will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (r) (1) through (3) of this section.

(s) Waccamaw Silverside (Menidia extensa ). (1) No person shall take the species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of this species will also be a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (s) (1) through (3) of this section.

(t) Little Colorado spinedace (Lepidomeda vittata ). (1) No person shall take this species, except in accordance with applicable State Fish and Wildlife conservation laws and regulations in the following instances: for educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of this species is also a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (t) (1) through (3) of this section.

(u) Pygmy sculpin (Cottus pygmaeus ). The City of Anniston Water Works and Sewer Board will continue to use Coldwater Spring as a municipal water supply. Pumpage may remove all spring flow in excess of 3 cubic feet per second (1,938,000 gallons per day).

(v) Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus desotoi ). (1) No person shall take this species, except in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations for educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, or other conservation purposes consistent with the Act.

(2) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to taking of this species is also a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(3) No person shall possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, ship, import, or export, by any means whatever, any of this species taken in violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (v)(1) through (3) of this section.

(5) Taking of this species for purposes other than those described in paragraph (v)(1) of this section, including taking incidental to otherwise lawful activities, is prohibited except when permitted under 50 CFR 17.32.

(w) What species are covered by this special rule? Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus ), wherever found in the coterminous lower 48 States, except in the Jarbidge River Basin in Nevada and Idaho (see 50 CFR 17.44(x) ).

(1) What activities do we prohibit? Except as noted in paragraph (w)(2) of this section, all prohibitions of 50 CFR 17.31 and exemptions of 50 CFR 17.32 shall apply to the bull trout in the coterminous United States as defined in paragraph (w) of this section.

(i) No person may possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, ship, import, or export, by any means whatsoever, any such species taken in violation of this section or in violation of applicable State, National Park Service, and Native American Tribal fish and conservation laws and regulations.

(ii) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense listed in this special rule.

(2) What activities do we allow? In the following instances you may take this species in accordance with applicable State, National Park Service, and Native American Tribal fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations, as constituted in all respects relevant to protection of bull trout in effect on November 1, 1999:

(i) Educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act; or

(ii) Fishing activities authorized under State, National Park Service, or Native American Tribal laws and regulations;

(3) How does this rule relate to State protective regulations? Any violation of applicable State, National Park Service, or Native American Tribal fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of this species is also a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(x) Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus ), Jarbidge River population segment. (1) Prohibitions. Except as noted in paragraph (x)(2) of this section, all prohibitions of 50 CFR 17.31 and exemptions of 50 CFR 17.32 apply to the bull trout in the Jarbidge River population segment within the United States.

(2) Exceptions. No person may take this species, except in the following instances in accordance with applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws and regulations relevant to protection of bull trout in effect on April 8, 1999.

(i) For educational purposes, scientific purposes, the enhancement of propagation or survival of the species, zoological exhibition, and other conservation purposes consistent with the Act;

(ii) Incidental to State-permitted recreational fishing activities, provided that any bull trout caught are immediately returned to the stream.

(iii) The exceptions in paragraphs (x)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section will be in effect until April 9, 2001. At that time, all take prohibitions of the Act will be reinstated for the Jarbidge River population segment unless exceptions to take prohibitions are otherwise provided through a subsequent special rule.

(3) Any violation of applicable State fish and wildlife conservation laws or regulations with respect to the taking of this species is also a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

(4) No person may possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, ship, import, or export, any means whatsoever, any such species taken in violation of this section or in violation of applicable State fish and conservation laws and regulations.

(5) It is unlawful for any person to attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed, any offense defined in paragraphs (x)(2) through (4) of this section.

(y) Beluga sturgeon. This paragraph applies to the threatened beluga sturgeon (Huso huso ).

(1) How are various terms defined in this special rule? In addition to the definitions specified in § 10.12 of subchapter B of this chapter, we define certain terms that specifically apply to beluga sturgeon trade and this special rule as follows:

Aquacultured beluga sturgeon products. Eggs, larvae, fingerlings, or other products derived from Huso huso captive-bred or grown in captivity for commercial purposes starting at least at the F1 generation in captivity (i.e., captive-bred for at least one generation).

Beluga caviar. Processed unfertilized eggs from female Huso huso intended for human consumption, including products containing such eggs (e.g., cosmetics).

Beluga meat. Excised muscle tissue of Huso huso destined for human consumption.

Black Sea. The contiguous waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

CITES. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Export. The transport of a beluga sturgeon specimen out of its country of origin.

Hatchery-origin beluga sturgeon. Specimens of Huso huso captive-bred solely in the littoral states, primarily for reintroduction and stock enhancement purposes. Such specimens can occur in the natural marine environment of the littoral states.

Live or living beluga sturgeon. Any living specimen of Huso huso, including viable unfertilized or fertilized eggs, larvae, fingerlings, juveniles, and adults.

Littoral states. Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia and Montenegro, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.

Re-export. Export of beluga sturgeon specimens that were previously imported.

Wild beluga sturgeon. Specimens of Huso huso born and reared in the natural marine environment within the current or former geographic range of the species.

(2) What activities involving beluga sturgeon are affected by this rule? (i) International trade in beluga sturgeon. Except as provided in paragraphs (y)(3) and (y)(5) of this section, all prohibitions and provisions of §§ 17.31(a) and 17.32 apply to the international trade in beluga sturgeon, including its parts and derivatives. Live beluga sturgeon remain subject to all the prohibitions and provisions of §§ 17.31(a) and 17.32.

(ii) Trade without CITES documents. Except as provided in paragraph (y)(3) of this section, you may not import, export, or re-export, or present for export or re-export, beluga sturgeon or beluga sturgeon products without valid CITES permits and other permits and licenses issued under parts 13, 17, and 23 of this chapter.

(iii) Commercial activity. Except as provided in paragraphs (y)(3) and (5) of this section and § 17.32, you may not sell or offer for sale, deliver, receive, carry, transport, or ship in interstate or foreign commerce in the course of a commercial activity any beluga sturgeon or beluga sturgeon products.

(iv) It is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to commit, attempt to commit, solicit to commit, or cause to be committed any acts described in paragraphs (y)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section.

(3) What activities are exempted from threatened species permits by this rule? (i) Import, export or re-export, and interstate and foreign commerce involving certain caviar and meat obtained from beluga sturgeon. You may import, export or re-export, or conduct interstate or foreign commerce in beluga sturgeon caviar and meat without a threatened species permit issued according to § 17.32 only if the caviar and meat are derived from wild or hatchery-origin beluga sturgeon that were caught and processed in the littoral states, or the caviar and meat are exempt from permits because they originate from qualifying aquaculture facilities outside of littoral states (see paragraph (y)(5) of this section). Also, the provisions in parts 13, 14, and 23 of this chapter and the following requirements must be met:

(A) Except for caviar contained in cosmetics, any beluga caviar must comply with all CITES labeling requirements, as defined in relevant Resolutions or Decisions of the Conference of the Parties, including beluga caviar in interstate commerce in the United States. All individuals or businesses in the United States wishing to engage in domestic interstate commerce of beluga sturgeon caviar must follow the CITES caviar-labeling requirements.

(B) The shipment must be accompanied by a valid CITES permit or certificate upon import, export, or re-export.

(C) For each shipment covered by this exemption, the country of origin and each country of re-export, and the country of import involved in the trade of a particular shipment, must have designated both a CITES Management Authority and Scientific Authority, and have not been identified by the CITES Conference of the Parties, the CITES Standing Committee, or in a Notification from the CITES Secretariat as a country from which Parties should not accept permits for beluga sturgeon or all CITES-listed species in general.

(D) The littoral state from which the beluga sturgeon caviar or meat originated has complied with all of the requirements shown in paragraph (y)(4) of this section, and none of the exporting, importing, or re-exporting countries involved in the commercial activity has been subject to an administrative trade restriction or suspension as outlined in paragraphs (y)(6) and (7) of this section.

(E) Any relevant aquaculture facility located outside of a littoral state has complied with all of the requirements shown in paragraph (y)(5) of this section.

(ii) Import and re-export of non-commercial personal or household effects. You may import, export or re-export, or conduct interstate or foreign commerce in beluga sturgeon personal or household effects without a threatened species permit issued according to § 17.32. Also, for CITES permits, Article VII.3. of CITES recognizes a limited exemption for the international movement of personal and household effects, including specimens of beluga sturgeon.

(A) Stricter national measures. The exemption for personal and household effects does not apply if a country prohibits or restricts the import, export, or re-export of the item.

(1) You or your shipment must be accompanied by any document required by a country under its stricter national measures.

(2) In the United States, you must obtain any permission needed under other regulations in this subchapter.

(B) Required CITES documents. You must obtain a CITES document for personal or household effects and meet the requirements of this part if one of the following applies:

(1) The Management Authority of the importing, exporting, or re-exporting country requires a CITES document.

(2) You or your shipment does not meet all of the conditions for an exemption as provided in paragraphs (y)(3)(ii)(C) and (D) of this section.

(3) The personal or household effect exceeds 250 grams of beluga caviar. To import, export, or re-export more than 250 grams, you must have a valid CITES document for the entire quantity.

(C) Personal effects. You do not need a CITES document to import, export, or re-export any part, product, derivative, or manufactured article of a legally acquired beluga sturgeon specimen to or from the United States if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) No living beluga sturgeon is included.

(2) You personally own and possess the item for non-commercial purposes, including any item intended as a personal gift.

(3) The item and quantity of items are reasonably necessary or appropriate for the nature of your trip or stay.

(4) You are either wearing the item as clothing or an accessory or taking it as part of your personal baggage, which is being carried by you or checked as baggage on the same plane, boat, car, or train as you.

(5) The item was not mailed or shipped separately.

(D) Household effects. You do not need a CITES document to import, export, or re-export any part, product, derivative, or manufactured article of a legally acquired beluga sturgeon specimen that is part of a shipment of your household effects when moving your residence to or from the United States, if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) No living beluga sturgeon is included.

(2) You personally own the item and are moving it for non-commercial purposes.

(3) The item and quantity of items are reasonably necessary or appropriate for household use.

(4) You import, export, or re-export your household effects within 1 year of changing your residence from one country to another.

(5) The shipment, or shipments if you cannot move all of your household effects at one time, contains only items purchased, inherited, or otherwise acquired before you moved your residence.

(E) Trade restrictions. Regardless of the provisions above for personal and household effects, any trade suspension or trade restriction administratively imposed by the Service under paragraphs (y)(6) or (7) of this section could also apply to personal and household effects of beluga caviar.

(4) What must beluga sturgeon littoral states do to be authorized under the special rule to export to the United States? The following requirements apply to the littoral states wishing to export beluga caviar or beluga meat to the United States without the need for a threatened species permit issued under § 17.32. These requirements apply to all shipments of beluga caviar and beluga meat that originate in the littoral states, even if the shipments are re-exported to the United States via an intermediary country. (See paragraph (y)(7) of this section for more information on the Service's biennial reviews under the special rule.)

(i) Basin-wide beluga sturgeon management plans. By September 6, 2005, each littoral state wishing to export beluga caviar or beluga meat to the United States without the need for a threatened species permit issued under § 17.32 must submit to the Service's Division of Scientific Authority a copy of a cooperative management plan for its respective basin (i.e., Black Sea or Caspian Sea) that addresses Huso huso conservation. Each of these two basin-wide management plans must be agreed to by all of the littoral states (not just exporting nations) in the Black Sea or the Caspian Sea, as appropriate. Upon receipt, the Division of Scientific Authority will review these basin-wide management plans within 90 days for completeness and clarity. If any elements of the management plans are missing or unclear, we will ask the appropriate littoral states to provide additional information within 60 days of the date we contact them. If the littoral states fail to respond or fail to submit basin-wide management plans by the specified deadline, or if we are unable to confirm that all littoral states are signatories to those plans, we will immediately suspend trade with all littoral states in the given basin (Caspian Sea or Black Sea) until we are satisfied that such management plans exist. Submission of documents in English may help expedite the Service's review. These cooperative management plans must contain the following elements:

(A) A clear statement of the recovery and management objectives of the plan, including a specification of the stock(s) concerned, a definition of what constitutes over-fishing for that stock, and a rebuilding objective and schedule for that stock;

(B) A statement of standard regulations and habitat improvement strategies (e.g., size limits, target harvest rates, quotas, seasons, fishing gear, effort caps, fish passage improvement, water quality controls) to be utilized by the nations involved;

(C) A complete statement of the specific regulatory, monitoring, and research requirements that each cooperating nation must implement to be in compliance with the management plan;

(D) A complete description of how stock survey data and fisheries data are used to establish annual catch and export quotas, including a full explanation of any models used and the assumptions underlying those models;

(E) Procedures under which the nations may implement and enforce alternative management measures that achieve the same conservation benefits for beluga sturgeon as the standards mentioned in paragraph (y)(4)(i)(B) of this section; and

(F) A complete schedule by which nations must take particular actions to be in compliance with the plan.

(ii) National regulations. By September 6, 2005, each littoral state wishing to export beluga caviar or beluga meat to the United States under this special rule must provide the Service's Division of Scientific Authority with copies of national legislation and regulations that implement the basin-wide cooperative management plan described in paragraph (y)(4)(i) of this section, including regulations pertaining to the harvest, trade, aquaculture, restocking, and processing of beluga sturgeon. Upon receipt, the Division of Scientific Authority will review these national laws and regulations within 90 days for completeness and clarity. If any elements of the national legislation or national fishery regulations are missing or unclear, we will ask the appropriate littoral states to provide additional information within 60 days of the date we contact them. If the littoral states fail to respond or fail to submit copies of national laws and regulations by the specified deadline, we will immediately suspend trade with the given littoral states until we are satisfied that such laws and regulations are in effect. Submission of documents in English may help expedite the Service's review.

(iii) Caviar labeling. All caviar shipments imported into the United States must follow the CITES caviar-labeling requirements as agreed to in the relevant Resolutions and Decisions of the CITES Parties. Current labeling requirements can be obtained by contacting the Division of Management Authority, Branch of Permits—International, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, VA 22203.

(iv) CITES compliance. Except as provided in paragraph (y)(3)(ii) of this section, all shipments of beluga sturgeon specimens, including those exempted from threatened species permits under this special rule, will require accompanying valid CITES permits and certificates upon import, export, or re-export.

(v) Initial reporting period. Until September 6, 2005, no threatened species permits will be required for the import, export, re-export, or interstate or foreign commerce of beluga sturgeon caviar and meat that originated in the littoral states, in order to provide the littoral states time to submit the required documentation. After this 6-month period, the exemption from threatened species permits will continue only while the Service reviews littoral state compliance with paragraphs (y)(4)(i) through (iv) of this section. If this review demonstrates that the provisions of this special rule are not met, the Service will announce and institute trade restrictions or suspensions in beluga sturgeon caviar or meat with one or more littoral states as per paragraph (y)(7) of this section.

(vi) Biennial reports. Littoral state governments wishing to export specimens of beluga sturgeon caviar or meat to the United States under this special rule must provide to the Service's Division of Scientific Authority reports containing the most recent information available on the status of the species, following the information guidelines specified below. The Service must receive the first report no later than December 1, 2005, and every 2 years thereafter on the anniversary of that date. Starting in December 2005, and thereafter on a biennial basis, the Service will review the national reports within 90 days of receiving them and any other pertinent information on wild beluga sturgeon conservation. If any elements of the biennial reports are missing or unclear, the Service will ask the appropriate littoral states to provide additional information within 60 days of the date we contact them. If the littoral states fail to respond or fail to submit biennial reports by the specified deadline, we will immediately suspend trade with the given littoral states (see paragraph (y)(7) of this section for details on how such a suspension would be instituted and announced). Submission of documents in English may help expedite the Service's review. We propose to use these reviews to determine whether littoral state management programs are leading to recovery of wild beluga sturgeon stocks. For each littoral state, the following information must be provided in the biennial reports:

(A) A description of the specific fishery regulations that affect the harvest of Huso huso in the respective littoral state, with any changes from the previous report highlighted;