The Department of Commerce’s National Marine Fisheries Service is proposing to ban imports and exports of Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni). Comments are due no later than Oct. 6.
NMFS states that the Banggai cardinalfish is a popular marine ornamental fish that has been heavily traded in the aquarium trade since the mid-1990s. An estimated 120,000 are imported into the U.S. each year and this number is anticipated to remain fairly stable over the foreseeable future.
However, a recent review of this species’ classification under the Endangered Species Act concluded that it is at risk of extinction, primarily because its populations have been reduced by anthropogenic stressors that include international trade and disease linked to high mortality of wild-caught fish imported for the ornamental trade.
NMFS is therefore proposing to make it unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. to import this species into, or export it from, the U.S. This rule would apply to all commercial and noncommercial international shipments of live and dead Banggai cardinalfish and parts and products, including the import and export of personal pets and research samples. The import and export of wild-caught and captive-bred Banggai cardinalfish into and from the U.S. and its territories would be prohibited.
NMFS notes that under Section 11 of the ESA civil and criminal penalties could be imposed for any violations of this rule.
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