СITES

In 1999, Ukraine joined the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - CITES.

 Since all species of sturgeon fish and paddlefish (a representative of the sturgeon family of the sturgeon family, which lives in the natural environment in America and is the object of aquaculture in Ukraine and other countries of the world) are objects (specimens) of SITES, foreign trade operations with them, including transit transportation and re-export, as well as entry into the customs territory of Ukraine, should be carried out only on condition of the presence of accompanying documents of a permissive nature (permits/certificates) issued by the relevant SITES administrative bodies.

 In accordance with the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 13.12.2000 No. 1822, the State Fisheries Agency of Ukraine performs the functions of the Administrative Body of SITES of Ukraine regarding sturgeon species of fish and products produced from them.

 The scientific body of SITES of Ukraine regarding sturgeon species of fish and their products is the Southern Scientific Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography - PIVDENNIRO (Kerch).

A separate CITES permit/certificate is issued for each batch of CITES samples.

 CITES samples mean: live or dead animal and any easily recognizable part or derivative thereof (live fish, including larvae; live fertilized caviar; edible caviar; carcasses; meat; fins; other parts and other products) .

 It should be noted that the effect of SITES extends not only to species of sturgeon fish and their products originating from natural reservoirs, but also to those grown in artificial conditions (in conditions of aquaculture).

 Regarding personal dismissals.
 In accordance with CITES requirements defined in Resolution Conf. 12.7, regarding personal exemptions from CITES requirements for edible sturgeon caviar, it is established that these restrictions should not exceed 125 grams per person, i.e. the export/import of the specified amount of edible caviar (in most cases for personal use) is carried out without a permit CITES. This norm applies, including to postal shipments, because postal forwarding in larger quantities is export or re-export.

 Only in the presence of approved national export quotas, which are posted on the official website of СИTES (www.cites.org), the country can carry out export deliveries of sturgeon species of fish harvested (removed) from natural populations and products from them.

 We should note that in Ukraine since 2000 a complete ban on commercial fishing of sturgeon fish species has been introduced. All types of sturgeon fauna of Ukraine have a special protection status - they are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

 Therefore, trade in sturgeon species of fish originating from natural populations (caught from natural reservoirs of Ukraine) and their products is considered illegal and prohibited both on the domestic market and for export.

 To prevent illegal trade, Ukraine annually sets zero export quotas for products of sturgeon species of fish from natural populations.

 However, this ban does not apply to aquaculture products. Export or re-export of this product is completely legal, but must, like products from natural populations, be accompanied by an appropriate CITES permit/certificate.
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