Listing the Yangtze Sturgeon as an Endangered Species; Proposed rule.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a proposed rule and a 12-month finding on a petition to list the Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Loss of individuals due to overharvesting on the Yangtze River is the main factor that contributed to the historical decline of the species. Despite conservation efforts, this species is still currently in decline due primarily to the effects of dams and bycatch. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species. We seek information from the public on this proposed rule and the status review for this species.