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January 17, 2007
Subject:
Export Quotas for Sturgeon Caviar and Sturgeon Products
Background: On January 2, 2007, the CITES
Secretariat published the 2007 export quotas for caviar and sturgeon products
(including aquaculture).
Action:
Caspian Sea Stocks:
Under established quotas, the
United States will allow the import of wild sturgeon caviar except
for beluga harvested in 2007 and exported from Azerbaijan, Iran,
Kazakhstan (including that portion allocated to Turkmenistan), and
the Russian Federation.
Black Sea/lower Danube Stocks :
There are no established
quotas for wild sturgeon for 2007.
Heilongjiang/Amur River Stocks:
There are no established
quotas for wild sturgeon for 2007.
Endemic and Aquaculture Stocks:
The United States will allow
the import of sturgeon specimens from endemic or aquaculture stocks
except for beluga, in accordance with CITES requirements.
The Service reminds the trade community that:
- The United States no longer allows the import of sturgeon caviar
harvested from shared stocks in 2006 and exported directly from
countries bordering the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea/lower Danube,
and the Heilongjiang/Amur River.
- The United States will continue to allow the import of 2006
harvested caviar that was legally exported during 2006 and re-exported
to the United States as long as the re-export to the United States
takes place within 18 months from the date of issuance of the
original export permit.
- The United States will also continue to allow the re-export
of caviar that was legally exported during 2005 and 2006 from
the United States as long as that re-export takes place within
18 months from the date of issuance of the original export permit.
- The Service has suspended the import of, and foreign commerce
in, beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) caviar or meat originating in
Caspian Sea and Black Sea basin countries. This suspension applies
to shipments that have been exported directly from these countries,
re-exported through an intermediary country, or transported as
personal or household effects.
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