Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Most Recent

Florida’s Senators, Mike Waltz Team Up on the Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act

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.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Author

  • Kevin Derby

    Originally from Jacksonville, Kevin Derby is a contributing writer for Florida Daily and covers politics across Florida. View all posts

Share Story Via Text, E-Mail, Facebook or Twitter

Follow Us on Social Media

Related Stories

Story 2

Florida’s U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging his immediate approval of the State of Florida’s...

Military

Conservative Congressman Mike Waltz’s new book, “HARD TRUTHS: Think and Lead Like a Green Beret,” will be released on October 22. Waltz has represented...

Elections

The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) Center for Political Strategy released the initial findings from its Q4 2024 Statewide General Election Poll, which will...

Florida Politics

As communities across Florida’s Gulf Coast recover from Hurricane Helene, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Rick Scott are meeting with...

Elections

A series of September polling data shows Florida Senator Rick Scott outperforming his Democratic opponent, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, for the Senate seat. National polling company 538 compiles the averages...

Stories 11-14

Less than ten days after Ryan Routh was arrested while carrying a rifle near former President Donald Trump‘s golf course in Palm Beach, the...

Elections

On Thursday, the Florida Fraternal Order of Police announced its endorsement of Senator Rick Scott (R) for re-election to the U.S. Senate. “The Office of U.S. Senator...

Crime

Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) hosted a press conference with Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo), Ron Johnson (R-Wis), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo) to bring attention...