Injurious Wildlife Species; Snakeheads (family Channidae)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service adds all species of snakehead fishes in the Channidae family to the list of injurious fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. By this action, the Service prohibits the 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. The best available information indicates that this action is necessary to protect wildlife and wildlife resources from the purposeful or accidental introduction and subsequent establishment of snakehead populations in ecosystems of the United States. Live snakehead fishes or viable eggs can be imported only by permit for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes, or without a permit by Federal agencies solely for their own use; permits will also be required for the interstate transportation of live snakeheads or viable eggs currently held in the United States, for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes. This final rule becomes effective immediately upon publication.