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Courtesy of NAA:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is extending the public comment period on their May 25, 2022, proposed rule to list the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), ship sturgeon (A. nudiventris), Persian sturgeon (A. persicus), and stellate sturgeon (A. stellatus), all large fish native to the Black, Azov, Aral, Caspian, and northern Aegean Sea basins and their rivers in Europe and western Asia, as endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA).

FWS is extending the proposed rule’s comment period for 30 days, until August 25, 2022, to conduct a public hearing on the petition to list these four species of sturgeon. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.

On August 11, 2022, FWS will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule to list the Russian, ship, Persian, and stellate sturgeons under the ESA from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, using the Zoom platform. For security purposes, registration is required. All participants must register in order to listen and view the hearing via Zoom, listen to the hearing by telephone, or provide oral public comments at the hearing by Zoom or telephone. For information on how to register, or if technical problems occur joining Zoom on the day of the hearing, visit Public Hearing for the Proposed Listing of the Ponto-Caspian Sturgeon | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov).

To read or download the Federal Register notice extending the public comment period click here.  To read or download the May 25, 2022 Federal Register notice announcing the proposed listing click here.

The National Aquaculture Association is developing a comment letter opposing the listing of Russian and stellate sturgeons that are farmed in the United States.  If you farm these sturgeons, we welcome your insights or comments to inform the draft letter.  Please contact the NAA Office at naa@thenaa.net.