50 CFR 23 - CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES)

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS or Service), propose to revise the regulations that implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or Treaty or Convention) by incorporating certain provisions adopted at the fourteenth and fifteenth meetings of the Conference of the Parties (CoP14 and CoP15) to CITES and clarifying and updating certain other provisions. These changes would bring U.S. regulations in line with revisions adopted at the most recent meetings of the Conference of the Parties, which took place in June 2007 (CoP14) and March 2010 (CoP15). The revised regulations would help us more effectively promote species conservation, help us continue to fulfill our responsibilities under the Treaty, and help those affected by CITES to understand how to conduct lawful international trade.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are listing the hellbender ( Cryptobranchus alleganiensis ), a large aquatic salamander, including its two subspecies, the eastern hellbender ( Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis ) and the Ozark hellbender ( Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi ), in Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or Convention). This listing includes live and dead whole specimens, and all readily recognizable parts, products, and derivatives of this species and its subspecies. Listing hellbenders in Appendix III of CITES is necessary to allow us to adequately monitor international trade in the taxon; to determine whether exports are occurring legally, with respect to State law; and to determine whether further measures under CITES or other laws are required to conserve this species and its subspecies.