FWS Finalizes Ban on Imports of Salamanders, Publishes New Interim Rule
The Fish and Wildlife Service is affirming as final a 2016 interim rule that would essentially ban the import of all species of salamanders because of a lethal fungus that the salamanders can carry and spread among the salamander population, it said in a Federal Register notice.
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The 2016 interim rule, which has been in effect since Jan. 28, 2016, added all species of salamanders from 20 genera to the list of injurious amphibians. Under the Lacey Act, imports of animals under injurious wildlife provisions are banned, as well as the interstate shipment of salamanders and shipments between U.S. states and any U.S. territory. The import of salamanders includes imports of alive or dead specimens, including hybrids and parts, according to FWS.
By way of the same notice, FWS is publishing a new interim rule to add to the injurious amphibians list 16 genera "that recent studies determined are also carriers of the fungus and to clarify some provisions from the final rule." This interim rule includes any live or dead specimen, hybrid, or parts of the 16 genera and opens a public comment period.
The fungus that the salamanders can spread is the lethal chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, or Bsal, which FWS says is not yet known to be found in the U.S.
The second interim rule is effective Jan. 27. Comments on issues raised in the second interim rule are due by March 11.