NMFS Proposes to Prohibit Import, Export of Largetooth Sawfish
The National Marine Fisheries Service has issued a proposed rule to list largetooth sawfish (Pristis perotteti)1 as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, which would prohibit its import, export, use in foreign commerce, or take1.
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Comments are due by July 6, 2010, and public hearing requests by June 21, 2010.
(According to NMFS, the largetooth sawfish faces ongoing threats from habitat alteration, bycatch, trade (on shark fins), and the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms to address and reduce habitat alterations, bycatch, and trade.)
Endangered Listing Would Prohibit U.S. Import, Export, Etc.
Because NMFS is proposing to list this species as endangered, all of the take prohibitions of Section 9(a)(10) of the ESA of the act would apply, which include prohibitions against the import, export, use in foreign commerce, or take of the species.
These prohibitions would apply to all persons subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S., including in the U.S. or on the high seas.
NMFS Request Comments/Information on Species
NMFS request comments or information from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested party containing:
(1) Information concerning the location(s) of any sightings or captures of the species;
(2) Information concerning the threats to the species;
(3) Taxonomic information on the species; and/or
(4) Efforts being made to protect the species throughout its current range.
1Take is defined as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.''
NMFS contact -- Dwayne Meadows (301) 713-1401
NMFS proposed rule (D/N 0906221082-0122-02, FR Pub 05/07/10) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-10874.pdf