March 10, 2005

Subject:  2004 Sturgeon Caviar Stocks Exported in 2005

Background:  At the 13 th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the CITES countries agreed to limit the time in which remaining sturgeon caviar stocks could be exported. CITES Notification No. 2005/008, issued March 10, 2005, reminds the CITES countries that all remaining stocks of specimens obtained under the 2004 catch or export quotas that were not exported in 2004 should be exported by March 31, 2005. The Notification states that CITES Parties should not import caviar harvested in 2004 if it is exported after that date.

The Endangered Species Act prohibits trade in specimens contrary to the CITES Convention. Articles II and VIII of CITES require that we take appropriate measures to enforce the provisions of the treaty and to prohibit trade in specimens that are in violation of the treaty. As a member of CITES, the United States is committed to carrying out decisions and policies approved by CITES countries that reflect appropriate interpretations of the treaty.

Action: Effective April 1, 2005, the United States will prohibit the import of sturgeon caviar harvested in 2004 if it was exported from the country of origin after March 31, 2005. The caviar trade community should be aware of the time limitations placed on the export of caviar harvested in 2004 and plan shipments accordingly.

Contact:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Office of Law Enforcement
703-358-1949 703-358-2271 (fax)