Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Representative Randy Fine (R-FL) have introduced a bicameral bill giving flexibility to sturgeon farmers.
For additional context, several species of sturgeon are listed as endangered due to overfishing for caviar, meat, and other products, or populations have been reduced due to waterway construction and pollution in their native habitats.
However, some American companies breed their own specimens in captivity, and thus, Sen. Scott's Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act clarifies the difference between wild-caught and farm-raised sturgeon.
"For years, I have heard from Florida farmers about how Biden's reckless decision to classify non-native and hybrid sturgeon as endangered species created chaos," said Sen. Scott in his press release, adding, "Farmers raising certain sturgeons' species are being forced to care for thousands of fish that can live to 100 years – unable to sell, harvest, or relocate them without facing jail time or ridiculous fines."
"The Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act fixes that by exempting captive-bred sturgeon species in the U.S., which have thriving populations, and wild populations of the same species, so we can continue our preservation efforts while preventing an unnecessary burden on our farmers," Sen. Scott continued. "I look forward to getting this bill passed in the Senate and in the House of Representatives, led by my friend, Congressman Randy Fine, and signed into law by President Trump – who understands that we can work to both protect our environment and support the success of American businesses."
Similarly, Rep. Fine said, "I am proud to fight for small businesses in the 6th Congressional District."
"That's why, when a small aquaculture business told me the federal government was trying to shut them down because they couldn't understand the difference between farm-raised and wild fish, I had to act," Rep. Fine added, "Now, I've filed the Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act under the leadership of Senator Rick Scott, which will allow these small businesses to grow and prosper."
The bill comes on the heels of Representative Kat Cammack's (R-FL) Supporting Equity for Aquaculture and Seafood (SEAS) Act, which addresses longstanding inabilities for aquaculture and seafood producers to work with the USDA, which has favored terrestrial agriculture and ranching
