This week, U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., introduced a bill to “amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to allow American farmers to continue their sturgeon operations while also ensuring the longevity of the species across the globe.”
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., brought out the “Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act” back in September with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla, co-sponsoring it.
“The Biden administration’s recent decision to name non-native and hybrid sturgeon as endangered species is causing immense harm to farmers in Florida and across the country. Farmers who were raising these sturgeon are now forced to care for thousands of fish that can live to 100 years without any ability to sell, harvest, or relocate them. We can’t force our farmers to either face prison time, or pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to simply keep fish alive on their property. The Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act allows farmers to continue their sustainable fishery practices for farmed sturgeon, which both protects these fish and the livelihoods of these hardworking aquaculture farmers,” Scott said.
“It doesn’t make sense for the Biden administration to prevent American small businesses from harvesting non-native and hybrid sturgeon they breed and own in their facilities. Doing so will unnecessarily harm American livelihoods and incentivize the poaching of Eurasian species of sturgeon. The Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act will ensure a balanced solution that supports our domestic industry while simultaneously protecting these species,” said Rubio.
Scott’s bill has been before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee since he introduced it. Rubio is the only co-sponsor.
Waltz brought out the companion bill this week with U.S. Reps. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., Neal Dunn, R-Fla., and Scott Franklin, R-Fla., co-sponsoring it.
“Thanks to the Biden administration’s decision to place non-native and hybrid sturgeon on the endangered species list, farmers in Florida and across the country are now being forced to care for thousands of fish without any hope of selling, harvesting, or relocating them,” said Waltz. “These fish can live upwards of 100 years and will cost farmers thousands of dollars to keep alive. We must protect these fish and the livelihoods of Florida’s farmers. That’s why I am proud to introduce legislation in the House to allow the continuation of sustainable fishery practices for farmed sturgeon.”
Waltz’s bill was sent to the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee on Monday.
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