Effective May 15, 2004 FWS Announces: 1. Seahorses Require CITES Documentation, Etc. 2. Separate Reporting of Marine & Freshwater Tropical Fish
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has issued a notice on certain changes which take effect on May 15, 2004 regarding the import and export of seahorses and other tropical fish.
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According to FWS, the following changes will become effective May 15, 2004:
- CITES export permits/re-export certificates required for seahorses. According to FWS, CITES has listed all 32 species of seahorses (Hippocampus sp.) on Appendix II. As a result, shipments containing seahorses will require CITES export permits or re-export certificates.
CITES has previously stated that for Appendix II-listed specimens: (a) an export permit or re-export certificate issued by the Management Authority of the State of export or re-export is required; (b) in the case of a live animal or plant, it must be prepared and shipped to minimize any risk of injury, damage to health, or cruel treatment; and (c) no import permit is needed, unless required by national law. FWS sources have confirmed that import permits are not required for the U.S. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/28/03 news, 03052825, for BP summary of CITES Appendix II listing of seahorses and documentation requirements.)
Each species of seahorse must be separately declared on FWS form. In addition to requiring a valid CITES permit or certificate, all seahorses must be separately declared at the species level on the declaration form (Form 3-177, Declaration for the Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife).
- Marine tropical fish must be separated from freshwater tropical fish on FWS form. FWS states that all importers and exporters must separate marine tropical fish from fresh water topical fish on different lines of the declaration form (Form 3-177). FWS states that declarations received beginning May 15, 2004 that combine freshwater and marine tropical fish as one line item will be rejected for correction.
(Currently, FWS allows importers and exporters to combine all tropical fish, both freshwater and marine, into one record on the Form 3-177 provided the invoice contains the more detailed information that is required. However, FWS now states that this consolidation hinders its ability to distinguish between freshwater and marine tropical fish.
FWS explains that the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force is charged with determining the U.S. role in the international trade of coral reef species. As part of this effort, FWS was tasked to analyze data on international trade in coral reef species, particularly the trade in marine fish)
CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
FWS Contact - Office of Law Enforcement (703) 358-1949
FWS Notice (dated 04/15/04) available at http://www.le.fws.gov/PBSeahorsesTropicalFish.htm