Congressional Bill Threatens Fish Owners Rights

There is a new bill making its way through congress that could impact what people keep in their fish tanks. This bill is seen as an effort to keep the aquarium hobbyist from keeping many different types of fish among other things. It is committee right now.

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



Although on the surface, the bill looks to protect the US from non-native species "invading" our habitats, it will ultimately pose restrictions on the hobbyist.

Since virtually all of our aquarium fish are non-native species, this bill, if passed as is, would severely restrict the fish we can keep in our tanks. The bill would allow the US Fish and Wildlife Service to determine on a species by species basis which animals US citizens would be allowed to keep based on their potential to threaten native species.

While we can be sensitive to the idea that some tropical fish could survive in sub-tropical areas of the country (e.g. South Florida), limiting someone in Minnesota from keeping a fish that could only survive in Florida doesn't seem to make sense. Legislation of this kind, if at all, should be left to the states. Plus, it's assuming that these species are being let go in the wild, which is already known to be dangerous, and illegal.

Currently, the bill is in committee and a long way from passage. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council has set up a HR669 page and is working with industry to combat this bill. At this point, they do not feel that a letter writing campaign is necessary, or maybe even the best thing to do.

The situation will be monitored, but if you ever get the ear of any of your local congress people, let them know the danger of passing this bill.