ACTION NEEDED IMMEDIATELY
(Part 2: Federal Register Notice)
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[Federal Register: June 2, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 107)]
[Proposed Rules] [Page 35314-35315]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jn00-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 16
Injurious Wildlife; Review of Information Concerning Black Carp
(Mylopharyngodon piceus)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing available economic
and biological information on the black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) for
possible addition to the list of injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act.
The importation and introduction of M. piceus into the natural ecosystem of
the United States may pose a threat to native mollusk and fish populations.
Listing M. piceus as injurious would prohibit its importation into, or
transportation between, the continental United States, the District of
Columbia, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or
possession of the United States, with limited exceptions. This notice seeks
comments from the public to aid in determining if a proposed rule is
warranted.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before August 1, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or sent by fax to the Chief, Division of
Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
1849 C Street, NW, Mail Stop 840 ARLSQ, Washington, DC 20240, of FAX (703)
358-2044. e-mail [log in to unmask]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Mangin, Division of Fish and
Wildlife Management Assistance at (703) 358-1718.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a February 24, 2000, letter to the Director
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Mississippi Interstate
Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA) expressed concern that
Mylopharyngodon piceus posed a threat to native fish and mollusk
populations. MICRA requested that the Director take the necessary steps to
list M. piceus as an injurious species of wildlife.
M. piceus is a freshwater fish that inhabits lakes and lower reaches of
rivers. It is native to most major Pacific drainages of eastern Asia and
highly esteemed as a food fish in China. M. piceus was introduced into the
United States in the early 1970s as a ``contaminant'' in imported grass
carp stocks. A second introduction occurred in the 1980s for yellow grub
control and as a food fish. M. piceus larvae and fingerlings feed on
zooplankton, while larger M. piceus feed on benthic organisms with shells.
Because the species commonly feeds on mollusks, M. piceus is considered an
effective method of biological control of snails. M. piceus spawn in
rivers, and their eggs are pelagic or semipelagic and drift downstream.
They are annual spawners, with spawning triggered by water temperature,
rising water levels, and availability of food. Research has indicated that
pond-cultured females can produce an average of 65,000 eggs per kg (29,000
per lb.) of body weight.
The Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42) and implementing regulation in 50 CFR part 16
restrict the importation into or the transportation of live wildlife or
eggs thereof between the continental United States, the District of
Columbia, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or
possession of the United States of any nonindigenous
species of wildlife determined to be injurious or potentially injurious to
certain interests, including those of agriculture, horticulture, forestry,
the health and welfare of human beings, and the welfare and survival of
wildlife and wildlife resources in the United States. However, injurious
wildlife may be imported by permit for zoological, educational, medical, or
scientific purposes in accordance with permit regulations at 50 CFR 16.22,
or by Federal agencies without a permit solely for their own use. If the
process initiated by this notice results in the addition of M. piceus to
the list of injurious wildlife contained in 50 CFR part 16, their
importation into the United States would be prohibited except under the
conditions, and for the purposes, described above.
This notice solicits economic, biologic, or other information concerning M.
piceus. The information will be used to determine if the species is a
threat, or potential threat, to those interests of the United States
delineated above, and thus warrants addition to the list of injurious
wildlife in 50 CFR 16.13. The information will also assist us in preparing
impact analyses and examining alternative protective measures under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601).
Authority: This notice is issued under the authority of the
Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42).
Dated: May 16, 2000.
Jamie Rappaport-Clark,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 00-13557 Filed 6-1-00; 8:45 am]
Kevin S. Cummings
Research Scientist
Illinois Natural History Survey
607 E. Peabody Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
[log in to unmask]
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/collections/mollusk.html
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