Congress is ready to kill our hobby

[RobTop]

On April 23rd congress will be voting on the The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (HR 669) This will take away our ability to own saltwater fish and coral. This will completely kill our hobby. We have all heard over many years that this could happen. This act could make it happen, and fast. I have yet to dive into all the details, but here is what I have.

If you do nothing but skim this and contact your rep that will help. Doing nothing will kill our hobby. We have all heard the saying

"All evil needs to succeed is for good people to do nothing" This, to me is evil, do SOMETHING!

The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act

STOP CONGRESS FROM TAKING

YOUR PETS

Join PIJAC in opposing HR 669



WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

Anyone with pet fish, birds, reptiles, or small mammals will be affected by this bill. Any
company selling product or services for pet fish, birds, reptiles or small mammals will be
affected by this bill. Would you be impacted by “The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act”?

• Virtually all fish in an aquarium are not native to the United States
• Most pet birds are species not native to the US
• Most reptiles kept as pets are not native to the US
• Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and ferrets are not native to the US




This bill would ban nonnative species not specifically approved by US Fish & Wildlife Service. AND, it does NOT
only ban their importation, it also bans sales, transportation and breeding of these animals

• If you own a bird or reptile, and your specialized veterinarian is located across the state line from your
home, you would be prohibited from taking your pet to its veterinarian
• If you own two fish and they have babies, you would be in violation of this law and your pets could be
confiscated and destroyed
• Don’t plan on moving to another state with your pet. Crossing state lines with your hamster, fish, bird,
snake or other nonnative animal will be illegal




ANY animal except dogs, cats and goldfish will need to go through a costly, extensive study to prove they will not
cause harm AND be approved by the US Fish and Wildlife Service before they can be pets. The proposed
congressional ban on “nonnative species” will affect hundreds of millions of animals currently kept as pets.



PIJAC supports managing invasive species, but this bill is not the answer. Simply enhancing and improving
existing laws and regulations would meet the goal of preventing/minimizing the introduction of potentially
invasive species.



Under HR669, ANY animal not native to the U.S. would have to be placed on an “Approved” list created by the
Fish and Wildlife Service, which does not have the manpower or financial resources to do it. Nonnative species
includes virtually every bird, reptile, fish, and small mammal commonly kept as pets. Until an animal is placed
on the “Approved” list, you would be banned from adopting, purchasing, selling, transporting across state lines,
or breeding these animals.



WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Pet owners and the pet industry needs to be heard NOW

• Contact members of the subcommittee â€"œ both in Washington, DC AND in their district offices. Let them
know you don’t want them to ban your pets
• Attend your representatives Town Hall meeting during the Congressional Spring Break (April 6-17) and
ask them WHY THEY WANT TO TAKE AWAY YOUR PETS
• Alert everyone you know and ask them to stand up and be counted.
• Become a member of PIJAC and help us defeat this bill (www.pijac.org)




1220 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, www.pijac.org PIJAC Logo_CMYK_rev.jpg



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[Rich D]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1611822

Is this the same topic? If not its similar

 

[ostrow]

Rob:

Since you acknowledge you have not read the bill, a link to it would be most helpful.

Here it is: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-669

If you read the first substantive paragraph, "Purpose", you will see that much of the hysterics you present are just that: hysterics.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a risk assessment process to prevent the introduction into, and establishment in, the United States of nonnative wildlife species that will cause or are likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to other animal species’ health or human health.

Anyone with minimal knowledge of the status of the Great Lakes, most of our largest rivers, of the vegetation across the Southeast (being systematically obliterated by the pest vine kudzoo, or pests affecting trees right in our home state -- in short anyone with a basic concern for our broader environment -- will appreciate the broader seriousness of the problem and support efforts to address it. Indeed, it is high time there were more limitations on the removal of corals and fish from the dwindling reefs; we in the hobby should embrace this as we move to do more propogation ourselves.

If you read down the bill itself, you will see that the law calls on the Secretary of the Interior to develop a process for evaluation and for creating a system whereby those animals that can destroy our own environment would be restricted.

You will also see the language is quite specific on the conditions under which such determinations are to be made.

Our precious acroporas, montiporas, etc do not fit in this category. Just read this small segment from the bill:

(b) Factors To Be Considered- The regulations promulgated under subsection (a) shall include consideration of--

(1) the identity of the organism to the species level, including to the extent possible specific information on its subspecies and genetic identity;

(2) the native range of the species;

(3) whether the species has established or spread, or caused harm to the economy, the environment, or other animal species or human health in ecosystems in or ecosystems that are similar to those in the United States;

(4) the likelihood that environmental conditions suitable for the establishment or spread of the species exist in the United States

It is real easy to get alarmed about legislation and exceedingly rarely the case that excessive alarm is warranted, particularly on issues such as this.

 

[CoralBeautyII]

its the end of the world

 

[Bluespot22]

So what exactly does this bill mean for us? To my understanding, I think it is saying that any species that have the potential to negatively affect native species would not be allowed in except for approved species? What about corals? I can understand certain fish, such as lion fish, which is a problem in Florida, but does this mean all saltwater fish except for a few approved ones? Tell me if I am reading this wrong...

 

[CoralBeautyII]

the whole thing is just rediculous and doesnt even deserve a reply
its not gonna happen..just another internet scare tactic

 

[ostrow]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14773869#post14773869 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CoralBeautyII
just another internet scare tactic

Well, there certainly is a bill. And the purpose behind it is solid. Before it gets out of the House and Senate there will be hearings in both chambers, then a conference between the two to work out final kinks, then passage and to the White House.

Ample time for all interests, including the pet industry, to chime in to make sure the bill achieves its purpose without needlessly encroaching on areas irrelevant to that purpose. That's how the legislative process works.

 

[CoralBeautyII]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14773948#post14773948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ostrow
Well, there certainly is a bill. And the purpose behind it is solid. Before it gets out of the House and Senate there will be hearings in both chambers, then a conference between the two to work out final kinks, then passage and to the White House.

Ample time for all interests, including the pet industry, to chime in to make sure the bill achieves its purpose without needlessly encroaching on areas irrelevant to that purpose. That's how the legislative process works.

Its just kinda laughable. Theres no way this will ever happen, theres way too much money in the pet industry. Take away our hobby (just fish and coral) and think about how much money will be lost, not only in the livestock but in the equipment that keeps it alive, supplements, foods, the list is endless. Then add birds and reptiles to the list and it will send the economy into a meltdown.
Its not gonna happen, crazy bills try and get passed all the time, and this is just another wacky one.
So what will happen? the fish and game commision or who ever is in charge, will come knocking on peoples doors checking to see if they are harboring fish and coral?
Lets just discuss WHEN it does happen, not IF it will happen.

I dont mean to ruffle anyones feathers, but ya gotta admit this post is kinda frivolous.
whats the next topic, 2012?
:lol:

 

[JPSKI25]

I'm kinda in aggrement with both sides here. I don't think they should have the right to just destroy our hobby but on the same aspect look how many times you hear of people fishing and catching Pacu and Pirahnas that outgrew there home aquarium and were released into the wild. Who knows how many other fish have been released. Also whoever said scare tactics remember the PATRIOT ACT? There was no warning of that and was snuck in attached to an education and health standards bill. In my opinion it seems that it doesn't quite matter how the law is written, but how whomever enforces it interprets it. If they see it as illegal everything gets confiscated, and you can guarantee they aren't going to take care of them until a court hears your case. So everything will die! Yeah once you go to court and find out you did nothing wrong, by that time they will have already been long gone.

But my question is how will they enforce it? Will someone go out and knock on every door to see what kind of livestock they have if any?

 

[luther1200]

It is only to be more strict about importing endander species, or invasive species. Like the Snakehead fish, that has now spread over half the country, and certain Carp, or Coy fish who wipe out the native forage and lead to native predators demise. Also the zebra mussel which is a huge problem also. They are not going to ban coral,and all fish period.

 

[CoralBeautyII]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14774475#post14774475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luther1200
It is only to be more strict about importing endander species, or invasive species. Like the Snakehead fish, that has now spread over half the country, and certain Carp, or Coy fish who wipe out the native forage and lead to native predators demise. Also the zebra mussel which is a huge problem also. They are not going to ban coral,and all fish period.

Thank you

 

[JNye]

i agree this bill is far fetched and likely won't affect us as reef keepers BUT it does not hurt to get out and voice your opinion and be heard, if nothing else for the future bill's they'll try and pass. in the end it is laughable to think they'll shut down the pet industry overnight.

 

[Mister Scopas]

To think that our hobby won't be effected is naive. The Government knows what is good for us.

In the EU its already illegal to possess many of the fish and coral that we take for granted here in the USA. It would be nice for the party to go on forever, but it won't.

When corals are outlawed, only outlaws will have corals.

 

[JPSKI25]

Guys in trenchcoats whispering "hey man I have some really nice acans and sps"

 

[RobTop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14773869#post14773869 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CoralBeautyII
the whole thing is just rediculous and doesnt even deserve a reply
its not gonna happen..just another internet scare tactic

Certainly you do not know me, if you did you would know that is not my style...internet scare tactic.

Joel, I haven't had the chance to review this completely, with your involvement in IMAC over the years, you certainly can understand how busy I am with FragFest being 3 weeks away. That aside this was brought to my attention by four differant people in the industry over the last 72 hours. Seems concerning when a VP of a reef product company, manager of R&D at another, a LFS owner and an author/speaker in the hobby all comment about it, are concerned and calling hobbyists to action.

Perhaps it is nothing and wont effect our hobby, I am sure you are right. However for the few minutes of my life it will take to contact the people on the list, why risk it.

Further why would Pet Industry Advisory Council (lobbyists for the industry) be so concerned and issue a warning if it was nothing? Pet Advisory

Perhaps I have no clue. That has happened before

 

[Mister Scopas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14774759#post14774759 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JPSKI25
Guys in trenchcoats whispering "hey man I have some really nice acans and sps"

Keep an eye out for the Tang Police. :eek2:

 

[Mister Scopas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14773948#post14773948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ostrow
Well, there certainly is a bill. And the purpose behind it is solid. Before it gets out of the House and Senate there will be hearings in both chambers, then a conference between the two to work out final kinks, then passage and to the White House.

Ample time for all interests, including the pet industry, to chime in to make sure the bill achieves its purpose without needlessly encroaching on areas irrelevant to that purpose. That's how the legislative process works.

Unfortunately, the passage of seemingly harmless, well-intentioned bills and their implementation by numbskull Washington bureaucrats is precisely the mechanism through which legislation gets out of hand. The Orwellian Nightmare that resulted from the Patriot Act is a pretty good example of this principle.

Sure, at first glance the bill sounds totally reasonable, and people will have no problems with it being passed. After all, what harm could come from protecting our native species from being ravaged by some exotic species that could out-compete them? Clearly, we need to protect our domestic species, so we appoint an all-powerful government bureaucrat to take care of the problem. That's when a good idea turns bad.

I can see where this is going:

We won't be able to import the Red Sea Purple Tang because its a non-native species that could potentially be released into the environment to endanger the domestic Hawaiian Yellow Tang.

We won't be able to import Aussie Acans because they're non-native corals that could potentially be released to sting and harm native corals that exist on reefs in American Samoa.

We won't be able to import damsels because somebody has already released them into the Everglades after using them to cycle their tank, and they've already upset the ecosystem there.

Unfortunately, none of our reef species are inert, and the regulatory possibilities are endless...

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

Something needs to be done. We can't fix the idiocy of Americans who introduce non native species into the wild, so unfortunately legislation of this nature becomes necessary to protect our environment. What will probably happen is compromise between the two sides, let's all hope it's not too far swayed away from responsible pet owners -- but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Never underestimate the power of idiocy -- it's not the importer of the pets, it's not the issuer of the credit card, it's not fast food employee serving extra hot coffee creating the problems. It's the self righteous idiot on the receiving end who refuses to take accountability.

 

[Otto2]

Your so smart Mister Scopas.

 

[Miasma_F]

The one way it will most likely impact the hobby is outlawing the import and sale of lionfish. Lionfish have been identified as a severe threat to Florida.

http://keysnews.com/node/10749

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article4974396.ece