Do you think bichirs will be affected by the bill?

[uting]

All in the title.

 

[uting]

just add "if the bill takes effect" in the question

 

[Lupin]

Yes, they will be affected. They are part of the import ban.

 

[uting]

do you think it will be in the Approved list?

 

[Cohazard]

I'm not picking an answer in the poll because what I think is irrelevant if the act passes, because it will be at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior based on 'sound scientific evidence' (so we hope).

Section 3 (b), lists the factors which will be taken into consideration in determining whether a non native species would be banned from import or not, which reads as follows:

• (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;

• • (5) the likelihood of establishment of the species in the United States;

• • (6) the likelihood of spread of the species in the United States;

• • (7) the likelihood that the species would harm wildlife resources in the United States;

• • (8) the likelihood that the species would harm native species that are rare or native species that have been listed as threatened species or endangered species in the United States under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);

• • (9) the likelihood that the species would harm habitats or ecosystems in the United States;

• • (10) the likelihood that pathogenic species or parasitic species may accompany the species proposed for importation; and

• • (11) other factors important to assessing the risks associated with the species, consistent with the purpose under section 2.

Based on those factors, I would say a logical person could easily allow the genus Polypterus to be imported, because there simply is no likelihood of them being able to establish themselves in the vast majority of American water systems. The only likely place could be Florida, which already has many established non native species, so really, the polypterus would not be causing any additional harm to the habitat, and the parasites which attack them are for the most part specific to the genus.

Now whether Ken Salazar (current Secretary of the Interior) sees that based on scientific data, is up to him.


If there is any good news in all of this is the beautiful subsection (f) of Section 3 which grandfathers in all of our animals that we've had pre-enactment of this act:

(f) Animals Owned Lawfully Prior to Prohibition of Importation- This Act and regulations issued under this Act shall not interfere with the ability of any person to possess an individual animal of any species if such individual animal was legally owned by the person before the risk assessment is begun pursuant to subsection (e)(3), even if such species is later prohibited from being imported under the regulations issued under this Act.


hth

 

[FishGoneWild]

I am pretty sure bichirs will definitely be on the list whether you agree with it or not. This is another granny law of over regulation. Unfortunately, the number of irreponsible pet owners out weighed the number responsible owner. Therefore, the government think they need to tell people what they can have as pet and what they cannot. The good news is that even if this law passes we still have enough time to buy bichirs and hire a good lawyer to interpret the "Grand Father Cluase" to the judge.

 

[mfk4life]

i love my polys... actually singular one jumped out today sadly. everyone needs to start breeding thier fish so, we can sell to one another illegally if this crap falls through...

 

[uting]

yey! more people can tell their opinion on this because it is currently in the current poll on the site.

 

[FSM]

I find it hard to believe they would survive in native habitats.

 

[uting]

the only places they could probably survive is in Florida, California , Texas